Dunlop aerospace equipment installs high accuracy wire EDM

Dunlop aerospace equipment installs high accuracy wire EDM

Keywords: Aerospace, Equipment

Dunlop Aerospace Equipment has purchased a Fanuc Robocut alpha-IiB wire cut electro-discharge machine (EDM) for manufacture of its control valves and other specialist aerospace products. This is beleived to be the first machine of its type in the UK and was officially launched by the UK Distributor 600 Centre,Shepshed, UK, at the MACH 2002 machine tool exhibition (Plate 5).

Plate 5 Dunlop Aerospace Equipment's Fanuc Robocut alpha-Iib wire cut electro-discharge machine, used to manufacture specialist aerospace products

The latest Fanuc AI corner control reportedly minimises and compensates for wire deflection to ensure maximum profile and corner accuracy. The AI cut-in function is said to automatically adjust cutting conditions and dielectric fluid pressure to ensure a smooth entry into the cut. In addition, the adaptive control software detects any changes in work thickness and automatically adjusts the process settings to maintain cutting efficiency. This feature can reportedly improve cutting speeds by up to 30 per cent compared with conventional methods.

The Fanuc was purchased with a higher specification than standard. It has five-axis capability giving additional "C" axis component rotation. The machine also came with the higher specification large work tank and the high column that is power driven on the "Z" axis. This machine is said to be a great aid to production at Dunlop Aerospace Equipment as it is able to provide higher accuracy than older machines. Productivity is reported to be greatly enhanced with faster automatic wire feed of 15 s (20 s faster than before), which can be carried out when submerged in the dielectric tank. Cutting rates are claimed to be up to 330 mm²/min and, with 16 kg wire bobbin capacity, it reportedly enables unmanned running of 55h with 0.3 mm wire.

For further details contact: Dunlop Aerospace Equipment. Tel: +44 2476 682000; Fax: +44 2476 683407.