Advanced technologies for sinker and other EDMs

To improve performance, reduce cycle times and enhance machine operation, Makino Inc. has released Hyper technologies for its full line of wire, sinker and holemaking EDMs. By standardizing these innovations, the machine tool builder hopes to produce more versatile machine operators who can learn, adapt and alternate between EDM platforms.

Makino’s Hyper-i control, as well as HyperCut, was originally introduced for its U-Series wire EDMs 2 years ago. “We’ve recently expanded these capabilities to empower the EDM operators with technology they can access immediately on the shop floor,” said Brian Pfluger, EDM product line manager at Makino. “Today, a wire EDM operator can switch to a sinker EDM with minimal effort and vice versa.”

In the case of Makino’s sinker EDMs, Hyper-i represents a machine control Pfluger likens to a smartphone or a tablet. “Everything we love about our personal devices has been incorporated into Hyper-i,” he said. “It features a graphically orientated interface, a larger screen and easier programming functions. Everything is more accessible and easier to manage than previous machine controls.”

Makino’s Hyper technologies are available for all EDM equipment, giving operators more shop floor versatility thanks to a new control and a cutting process that reduces roughing speeds for sinker EDMing up to 30 percent.

Additionally, the HyperCut technology has been added to reduce cycle times. For Wire EDM, Hypercut produces a fine surface finish with less machine passes with lower wire consumption. A surface quality of 16 µin. Ra (3µm Rz can be achieved with three-pass machining (one rough, two skims) using brass wire. For a sinker EDM, HyperCut enables the machine to reduce roughing times up to 30 percent. This is possible thanks to new generator hardware that allows the machine to more efficiently apply power to reduce machining times via the control, according to Pfluger. “Now incorporated into our sinker machines, the addition of HyperCut offers faster speeds, maintains minimal wear and achieves better surface finishes,” he said.