Duckworth & Kent: Technological innovations to improve precision machining efficiency (Part 1)

Sodick is one of the leading Japanese brands in the field of high-tech mold making and precision machining. Recently, the Berkshire-based Duckworth & Kent company has invested in purchasing a new Sodick VL600Q machining cutter to improve the productivity of the new wire cutting process.

In the field of wire cutters, thin metal wire is drawn throughout the workpiece, often in a tank filled with deionized water or dielectric. This solvent cools the machining and pushes the stripped material. The wire cutting process uses electric current to cut conductive material to create a smooth surface and does not require additional polishing.

With the aim of saving time in machine reset, reducing the test operation and improving product quality, Duckworth & Kent’s Board of Directors have turned to Sodick for more advice on technology application. these requirements can be met.

Working with the advisory board, Mr. Stuart Gleeson, son of the Duckworth & Kent co-founder, said: “Our expertise is to manufacture high-precision components with small dimensions, often made up of from a variety of materials that are difficult to work with and of complex shapes that few other companies want to try.” Because of this, the VL600Q spark machine has become a very suitable choice for Duckworth & Kent.

During precision machining, the VL600Q attaches the profile electrode and the electrode approaches the workpiece surface creating a hole that copies the shape of the tool. The power supply generates a high frequency, creating a series of electrical sparks between the electrode and the part surface and peeling off a layer of metal by temperature corrosion and evaporation. This method can process difficult-to-work materials that are not possible with non-traditional methods such as hardened steel, hard-to-work alloy steel, and hard alloys. The surface of the machined part can reach Ra up to 0.63µm when roughing and Ra equivalent to 0.16µm when finishing. Typically the machining precision is about 0.01mm. In EDM coordinate drilling machines the machining accuracy is 0.0025mm.

In addition, VL600Q also has the advantage of not impacting mechanical forces, so it is possible to process most types of fragile and soft materials … without fear of deformation; Its electrodes can reproduce any shape, fabricate and restore hardened steel dies; The blade is capable of handling very small diameter holes, deep holes with a large length to diameter ratio …

(To be continued)

Productivity and Quality Office