AD35L and AD55L Sinker EDMs

December 01, 2014

The new AD Series sinker EDMs from Sodick are built to meet customers' needs for cost-friendly sinker EDMs. The series includes the AD35L and the AD55L high-performance Sinker EDMs. These linear motor driven models feature the latest no-flush EDM technology, user-friendly control and zero-electrode wear combined with increased machining speed. Sodick's latest EDM technology advancements will ensure higher manufacturing efficiency, drastic cost reduction and shortened delivery time.

Both models include Sodick's very own rigid linear motor drive technology. Rigid linear motor drives enable not only high-speed, high-precision EDM, but also maintenance-free operations. With this technology, high levels of initial machining accuracy can be maintained for a long period. This reliability is why Sodick provides a 10-year positioning accuracy guarantee.

The machines use a full-frame, floor-standing bed design. Heavily ribbed, high-strength Meehanite castings are used for the bed, table and column construction. The rigid construction ensures long-lasting accuracy.

Sodick's zero electrode wear technology is standard on all Sodick Sinker EDMs. This technology allows for the EDMing of steel materials with virtually zero electrode wear when using graphite or copper electrodes. Less electrode wear results in fewer electrodes, saving on production costs. In some cases, only one electrode is necessary. The ability to minimize wear is made possible by Sodick's advanced control technology, which stabilizes the use of high discharge ON times; this reduces the amount of times the discharge is started and extinguished. In the past, control technology was not as advanced, and the use of high discharge ON time resulted in an unstable EDMing environment, which caused poor productivity. Today, however, thanks to SGF technology, the application of high discharge ON time can be stabilized, producing virtually zero electrode wear.

The AD35L Sinker EDM machine has an X, Y, Z travel of 13.78" x 9.84" x 10.63" (350 x 250 x 270mm) and can accommodate a workpiece weight of up to 1,212 lb (550 kg). The AD55L has an X, Y, Z travel of 23.62" x 15.75" x 15.75" (600 x 400 x 400mm) and can accommodate a workpiece weight of up to 2,204 lb (1,000 kg).

Related Glossary Terms

  • electrical-discharge machining ( EDM)

    electrical-discharge machining ( EDM)

    Process that vaporizes conductive materials by controlled application of pulsed electrical current that flows between a workpiece and electrode (tool) in a dielectric fluid. Permits machining shapes to tight accuracies without the internal stresses conventional machining often generates. Useful in diemaking.

  • linear motor

    linear motor

    Functionally the same as a rotary motor in a machine tool, a linear motor can be thought of as a standard permanent-magnet, rotary-style motor slit axially to the center and then peeled back and laid flat. The major advantage of using a linear motor to drive the axis motion is that it eliminates the inefficiency and mechanical variance caused by the ballscrew assembly system used in most CNC machines.