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.

Spehro Pefhany wrote:
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.

trying to export bomb triggers or something?

On Mon, 12 Sep 2011 21:23:23 +0000 (UTC), Cydrome Leader
wrote:

Spehro Pefhany wrote:
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.

trying to export bomb triggers or something?

Certainly not- nothing remotely harmful at all- quite beneficial to
humans, in fact (though tree huggers may not agree). Just another way
to find stuff that could be of value.

Spehro Pefhany wrote:
On Mon, 12 Sep 2011 21:23:23 +0000 (UTC), Cydrome Leader
wrote:

Spehro Pefhany wrote:
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.

trying to export bomb triggers or something?

Certainly not- nothing remotely harmful at all- quite beneficial to
humans, in fact (though tree huggers may not agree). Just another way
to find stuff that could be of value.

I was just joking. It's too bad europeans are too lazy to work and any
parts coming back from japan will be radioactive.

How about Australian companies?

On Mon, 12 Sep 2011 15:21:02 -0400, Spehro Pefhany
wrote:

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.

When we needed this type of capability we went to the EDM equipment
mfrs for leads and came up with this, unfortunately, Arizona based
shop. But it might be worth a call on the off chance they have a
relationship with someone in Japan or Europe. Very nice folks, and
they did a great job on some very difficult parts. Or call the EDM
suppliers and ask who's buying their fanciest stuff.
http://www.majerprecision.com/

--
Ned Simmons

"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.

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.

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?

--
Ed Huntress

"Cydrome Leader" wrote in message
...
Spehro Pefhany wrote:
On Mon, 12 Sep 2011 21:23:23 +0000 (UTC), Cydrome Leader
wrote:

Spehro Pefhany wrote:
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.

trying to export bomb triggers or something?

Certainly not- nothing remotely harmful at all- quite beneficial to
humans, in fact (though tree huggers may not agree). Just another way
to find stuff that could be of value.

I was just joking. It's too bad europeans are too lazy to work and any
parts coming back from japan will be radioactive.

How about Australian companies?


Speaking of Australian companies, I've been told these guys below do some
very good wire cut gears etc. Not sure how fine their tolerances can be.

http://www.manta.com/ic/mvmg9kt/au/v...ing-co-pty-ltd

No full website that I could find.

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.


Best regards,
Spehro Pefhany
--
"it's the network..." "The Journey is the reward"
Info for manufacturers: http://www.trexon.com
Embedded software/hardware/analog Info for designers: http://www.speff.com

"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
--
"it's the network..." "The Journey is the reward"
Info for manufacturers:
http://www.trexon.com
Embedded software/hardware/analog Info for designers:
http://www.speff.com

On Tue, 13 Sep 2011 09:21:33 -0400, "Ed Huntress"
wrote:


"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.

It doesn't seem to be a problem. I've designed many tungsten (MP
3400C) and moly (2600C) parts, and never had trouble getting them
EDMed.

The fixtures I spoke of in my other post had tolerances down in the
low micron range. In that case the hurdle was not so much the
tolerances as the length and size of the features. The parts have
numerous deep slots as narrow as .040 mm x 25mm long, which requires
running small wire with a relatively large spacing between the guides.
I believe they were being made on Mitsubishi machines.

--
Ned Simmons

"Ned Simmons" wrote in message
...
On Tue, 13 Sep 2011 09:21:33 -0400, "Ed Huntress"
wrote:


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


"Spehro Pefhany" wrote in message
m...
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.

It doesn't seem to be a problem. I've designed many tungsten (MP
3400C) and moly (2600C) parts, and never had trouble getting them
EDMed.


Right. It's not that they can't be EDMed (Sumitomo even makes, or made, a
conductive ceramic that can be EDMed), but the speed, settings, overburn and
wire reaction (and deflection) get tricky with refractory metals.
Superalloys and other refractory materials have been wire-EDMed for decades,
but I suspect that pure niobium is a very rare one, if anyone does it at
all.


The fixtures I spoke of in my other post had tolerances down in the
low micron range. In that case the hurdle was not so much the
tolerances as the length and size of the features. The parts have
numerous deep slots as narrow as .040 mm x 25mm long, which requires
running small wire with a relatively large spacing between the guides.
I believe they were being made on Mitsubishi machines.

That one sounds very tough, although, if the wire parh is straight down
those slots, that makes it a lot easier. The wire will bow, or deflect,
quite a bit, lagging in the middle, but it still cuts straight along
straight lines.

--
Ed Huntress


--
Ned Simmons

On Tue, 13 Sep 2011 10:38:39 -0400, "Ed Huntress"
wrote:


Right. It's not that they can't be EDMed (Sumitomo even makes, or made, a
conductive ceramic that can be EDMed), but the speed, settings, overburn and
wire reaction (and deflection) get tricky with refractory metals.
Superalloys and other refractory materials have been wire-EDMed for decades,
but I suspect that pure niobium is a very rare one, if anyone does it at
all.

It's not unheard of. I know at least four places that have done it
successfully to a relatively high standard. As you say, it is going to
take time to optimize the setup.

It's nasty to machine conventionally. I'm told, gummy like copper.

On Sep 13, 8:45*am, Spehro Pefhany
wrote:
On Tue, 13 Sep 2011 10:38:39 -0400, "Ed Huntress"

wrote:

Right. It's not that they can't be EDMed (Sumitomo even makes, or made, a
conductive ceramic that can be EDMed), but the speed, settings, overburn and
wire reaction (and deflection) get tricky with refractory metals.
Superalloys and other refractory materials have been wire-EDMed for decades,
but I suspect that pure niobium is a very rare one, if anyone does it at
all.

It's not unheard of. I know at least four places that have done it
successfully to a relatively high standard. As you say, it is going to
take time to optimize the setup.

It's nasty to machine conventionally. I'm told, gummy like copper.

Long time ago I designed a sub arc second pointing system. I found
out with really tight dimensions all sorts of usually not thought
about issues pop up.

Things like thermal expansion, internal stress, modal vibration and
loading stress.

If edm doesn’t work out you might try oversize edm then ion milling or
chem etch to bring the part into tolerance.

Sounds like a fun project.