As the Northeast U.S. representative for SARIX microEDM equipment, Leer Technologies Inc., Claverack, N.Y., spent the better part of EASTEC 2008 showing off the newest features of the SARIX-200 3D MicroEDM Milling machine.
Cutting Tool Engineering spent a few minutes with Graham Ruck, sales/applications manager for Leer, at EASTEC this past spring to get a brief overview and demonstration of the microEDM milling machine.
A typical machine configuration includes:
- 3D micromilling of complex forms with radius corner down to 3µm,
- High precision of smaller, deeper and more precise round holes,
- High surface finishing of microsinking cavities,
- New on-board, user friendly unlimited programming and editing software,
- New CAM SARIX Module compatible to ESPRIT CAD-CAM software, integrating the new Micro-EDMing process multi-axis-multi-step for machining down to 10µm with Ra up to 0.05.
- High precision machining and accuracy up to ±1µm.
- Microfine pulse shape generator, SX-MFPS, for 3D microEDMing using tubes and solid electrodes from 5µm to 3.0mm,
- MicroEDM drilling technology with automatic breakthrough detection device,
- Up to 8 axes for complex workpieces with X-Y-Z, back slide W-axis (Z2), C and A/B indexing axes.
Related Glossary Terms
- computer-aided manufacturing ( CAM)
computer-aided manufacturing ( CAM)
Use of computers to control machining and manufacturing processes.
- gang cutting ( milling)
gang cutting ( milling)
Machining with several cutters mounted on a single arbor, generally for simultaneous cutting.
- milling
milling
Machining operation in which metal or other material is removed by applying power to a rotating cutter. In vertical milling, the cutting tool is mounted vertically on the spindle. In horizontal milling, the cutting tool is mounted horizontally, either directly on the spindle or on an arbor. Horizontal milling is further broken down into conventional milling, where the cutter rotates opposite the direction of feed, or “up” into the workpiece; and climb milling, where the cutter rotates in the direction of feed, or “down” into the workpiece. Milling operations include plane or surface milling, endmilling, facemilling, angle milling, form milling and profiling.
- milling machine ( mill)
milling machine ( mill)
Runs endmills and arbor-mounted milling cutters. Features include a head with a spindle that drives the cutters; a column, knee and table that provide motion in the three Cartesian axes; and a base that supports the components and houses the cutting-fluid pump and reservoir. The work is mounted on the table and fed into the rotating cutter or endmill to accomplish the milling steps; vertical milling machines also feed endmills into the work by means of a spindle-mounted quill. Models range from small manual machines to big bed-type and duplex mills. All take one of three basic forms: vertical, horizontal or convertible horizontal/vertical. Vertical machines may be knee-type (the table is mounted on a knee that can be elevated) or bed-type (the table is securely supported and only moves horizontally). In general, horizontal machines are bigger and more powerful, while vertical machines are lighter but more versatile and easier to set up and operate.
- precision machining ( precision measurement)
precision machining ( precision measurement)
Machining and measuring to exacting standards. Four basic considerations are: dimensions, or geometrical characteristics such as lengths, angles and diameters of which the sizes are numerically specified; limits, or the maximum and minimum sizes permissible for a specified dimension; tolerances, or the total permissible variations in size; and allowances, or the prescribed differences in dimensions between mating parts.
