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Ed Huntress Ed Huntress is offline
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Default Ultra-precise wire cut EDM - European or Japanese?


"Spehro Pefhany" wrote in message
...
On Mon, 12 Sep 2011 22:12:11 -0400, the renowned "Ed Huntress"
wrote:


"Spehro Pefhany" wrote in message
. ..
Can anyone suggest top-notch Euro-zone or Japanese company that can do
ultra-precise (as in measured in nanometers) EDM work in somewhat
exotic materials? Cost is not that important, within reason.

I'm not getting what I need from mold-maker type guys.

Can't use a US source for this, unfortunately, too much in the way of
potential hassles, and lots of money involved.


The only thing I can think of is to call the US executive offices of Agie,
Mitsubishi, or Sodick, and ask for a contact in their home countries who
can
help. You'll find plenty of English-language speakers at the home offices
of
all three.


That sounds like a good approach. Ned Simmons also suggested going
through the machine manufacturers. Thanks to both.

Are you familiar with the capabilities of EDM? 25 nanometers is roughly
one
microinch. Depending on how many nanometers you're talking about, you may
be
a bit outside of the envelope.

Too bad you can't use a US vendor. For exotics and top-notch EDM work, I'd
recommend these guys:

http://www.njpt.com/ . Ask for Bob Tarantino.


Thanks. There may be some other work we can send them.

They pioneered wirecut EDMing of foamed titatanium and they work in a
variety of superalloys, doing a lot of critical medical-device work. Just
how exotic is the material you're talking about?


Not super exotic- Nb and Ti pure and alloy.


Hmmm. I wonder if there's *anyone* who has experience EDMing niobium. With a
melting point of 2477 C (4500 F), that could be very interesting. Titatnium,
however, is EDMed successfully in various applications.

Anyway, good luck. It certainly sounds interesting. EDMing anything in the
sub-micron accuracy range is a challenge, and probably will require some
testing and experimentation.

--
Ed Huntress




Best regards,
Spehro Pefhany
--
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