With almost 20 years in the EDM business, Leicester based spark erosion specialist Eurospark has recognised the undoubted potential for a edm hole drill with a modular concept that can be adapted to suit the specific needs of individual companies.

The module unit is manufactured by Joemars, for who Eurospark is the UK agent, and comprises three elements: spindle head unit; generator and controller; high pressure pump.

To demonstrate the unit’s flexibility and cost effectiveness, Eurospark has fitted it to a refurbished Bridgeport BRJ manual turret mill. The Bridgeport offers X&Y moves of 560mm and 265mm respectively with a knee that has a range of 405mm. It also allows the drill’s Z axis to be swivelled in both laterally (30º) and longitudinally (30º), enabling components to have holes cut at compound angles. The mill’s standard work table is enclosed by a bespoke transparent splash guard fitted to a stainless steel worktable. Components of a size 800mm long, 500mm wide and 400mm high can be accespted.

The Z axis has a range 345mm and holes from 0.3 to 3mm (with 6mm as an option) can be drilled in hardened steel, alloys or tungsten carbide. The Joemars DZ40 control incorporates a 3 axis DRO and provides a fully automated cutting cycle with Fuzzy Logic for adaptive control of cutting conditions.

Deionised water is the dielectric medium and is delivered at high pressure to the tube electrode from a freestanding high pressure pump.

Eurospark anticipates that the principle adopted above can be translated to suit CNC mills and even machining centres with the opportunity of a retrofit adaptation to a customer’s existing machine. The EDM specialists can even provide a full turnkey package by utilising the facilities of its subcontract sister company Agemaspark.

http://www.machinetooldirect.co.uk/machine-tool-news/EDM-Hole-Drilling-Goes-Modular_2010.asp