• LeBlond Makino Machine Tool Company

Drop Tank Wire EDM

The U53 features a drop tank design that impacts many aspects of the EDM process, including operator efficiency and safety. The drop tank, with fixed table, keeps the weight of the dielectric fluid (113 gallons at 908 lbs) from shifting while the machine is in operation, thus improving servo reaction speed and precision. The machine's drop tank design allows submerged machining of 12.6"thick workpieces, and features a table capacity in excess of 3,300 lbs. In addition, the drop tank design yields greater access to the work area for operator safety so that the operator does not have to lean awkwardly leaning during set-ups. This submerged wire EDM meets the needs of die and mould work and other operations that require high productivity and ultra-fine finishes, says the builder. Submerged processing allows thicker cuts for fast part processing. It also permits cuts of varying thickness while minimizing wire breakage, boosting productivity, and enabling long, unattended machining runs. Other key features include the machine's 2 micron repeatability, and intelligent software for automatic wire threading and setting of cutting conditions and wire diameter offsets. A new "HD"(high definition) control feature automatically adapts cutting conditions and servo performance for improved comer accuracy and surface finishes in fewer passes. The machine's "Dual Jet"automatic wire threader and wire guiding system provides a low-maintenance, self-cleaning design that virtually eliminates problems associated with dirt and debris. This facilitates unattended operation, even when threading small diameter (0.004") wires over the full 12.6"work height.