Selecting the Right Technology

The time is perfect for investing in new equipment and the only real question is which technologies will provide the greatest benefit.

For most manufacturers, there is great potential in 5-axis technology, for both milling and EDM.

By carefully evaluating the advantages of both and analyzing how they would complement current capabilities, American manufacturers can turn the current situation into a long-term competitive edge.

Challenges in manufacturing 5 Axis Parts

Difficulties in making 5-axis parts (without the right equipment) include:

1. Tricky manual set up to do
2. Takes too long
3. Difficult to produce these parts in the production environment
4. Hard to produce parts unattended
5. Challenging to attain tight tolerances

One good solution is to use a wire EDM machine with a B-axis and a "Turn while burn" feature.

Here's an example: a patented Squeeze film damper part

Patented squeeze film damper part

The small, complicated slots in the squeeze film damper were produced almost exclusively through B-axis movement on a wire EDM machine.  This part was machined with wire EDM and required both types of B-axis movement. The part was indexed for multiple cutting operations and then rotated while the X and Y axes maintained a virtual standstill. 

The latter of these processes created the complicated slots between the X and Y profiles.

The part required a total of 4 predrilled start holes with 2 sets of holes positioned 90-degrees to each other on the side wall of the component. The rotary B-axis allows for unattended automation in the manufacture of the part.

Watch the Make-It-Better site for more 5-axis machining solutions.