New machine, same price

The UK EDM market was first introduced to Excetek Technologies’ wire cut machine tools in October 2012. Now, the company’s entry-level machine, the V350G, has been redeveloped and upgraded to offer increased capacity and performance.

However, the new Excetek V400G is offered at exactly the same price as that of its predecessor. Pre- and post-sales technical support, training and installation, servicing and spares for all Excetek machines are available from the company’s exclusive UK and Ireland agent, Warwick Machine Tools.

Providing comparative performance levels to the existing Swiss and Japanese wire EDM machines, the new Excetek V400G from Taiwan offers a major cost saving against any equivalent size machine tool according to the manufacturer, and the price includes training and installation.

The V400G has increased X and Y travels compared to the V350G increasing the X-axis to 400mm and the Y-axis to 350mm from the previous 350 by 250mm travels. At the same time it is capable of accommodating larger workpieces up to 750 x 550 x 215mm weighing up to 500kg with just a few millimetres increase in the overall footprint of the machine, which makes the new model very compact when compared to other existing EDMs.

Optional extras that can be specified for increased machine operating efficiency include remote monitoring via Short Message Service (SMS), which will automatically send an alarm message to a mobile phone if the machine stops cutting. Wire diameters from 0.15 to 0.3mm can be used and for extended operation a 50kg jumbo wire feeder can also be fitted.

All the standard range of wire EDM machines feature a C-frame structure designed using FEA software to provide high accuracy in the linear axes movements and to minimise any thermal influence. The V400G features a honeycomb frame structure for rigidity and thermal stability. The AC servo motor driven C1 class ballscrews are cryogenically treated to minimise the thermal effects of the machine’s ambient operational environment, with high accuracy linear scales fitted for positional feedback.

Also developed by Excetek, the automatic wire feed and threading system is produced in-house. Designed to provide continuous unmanned operation around-the-clock, the AWT offers the ability to thread the wire at the point of the breakage. An automated annealing system straightens the wire so that it can be threaded at the break point during machining with almost 100% reliability and without the need to return to the start position. Submerged wire threading is possible, which removes the need to drain and refill the tank. A waterjet assist system is available for automatic wire feeds on tall workpiece.

The new machine also features Excetek’s latest corrosion-free electro-discharge generator technology that improves cutting performance. While the cutting speed of every wire EDM machine is limited by the laws of physics and set by the thickness of the raw material being cut, it is a manufacturer’s corner control that defines its machine accuracy. Excetek’s software ensures the motion control and spark generator work together for the optimum power ramping and compensation dwell on corners, avoiding wire twist and reducing corner ‘washout’.

The control system can also apply offsets to allow for any misalignment during workpiece loading. Before machining an edge finding operation sets the actual position of the raw material, and the control software resets its datum points accordingly.

Even the latest CNC system has been developed by the company, using Windows-based 64-bit architecture with an LCD touchscreen for programming. Excetek says it is easier for operators to understand as they are already familiar with the look and feel of the Windows environment.

It cuts down the training time required, so one day’s training is all that is needed before the operator is competent to program and run the machine. Programming can be done using standard ISO G code or Excetek’s Icon Assistant conversational software, which uses the controls extensive database of cutting technologies.

Established in Taiwan in 2006, Excetek Technologies focuses solely on wire cut electro-discharge machine tool technology. Employing 75 highly skilled staff the company builds around 200 EDM machines per year. To stop any market fluctuations unbalancing the company it has targeted global sales, split equally between Asia, Europe, USA and the rest of the world, through direct sales offices and local agents.

Warwick machine Tools www.warwickmachinetools.co.uk