EDGE3i premiere at AMB 2024: Makino’s bestselling sinker EDM now available in Europe

The upcoming launch of the EDGE3i brings all the highlight features of this fully equipped precision die sinking EDM to the European market. The EDGE3i offers best-in-range reliability and a similarly high level of precision as more complex machines. Its advanced technology and intelligent design have provenly delivered great value, capabilities and productivity to sinker EDM operations.
 
The machine’s footprint has been significantly reduced by integrating the dielectric reservoir into the base casting, which eliminates the need for external holding tanks. Coupled with the standard dielectric chiller unit, the machine’s compact design also increases its thermal stability. More floor space has been saved by integrating the ATC system into the machine beneath the X/Y-axis structure. This enables installation in tight spaces – with no need for additional maintenance space on either side of the machine. Other benefits include enhanced process efficiency and unattended operability.
 

Easy-to-use Hyper-i Controller interface

From an operator’s perspective, the key advantage of the EDGE3i is its user-friendliness. The innovative Hyper-i Controller interface has a 24” HD touchscreen that offers an extensive overview of the machine’s operations. The pioneering features include intuitive smartphone-like operability and an efficient design that helps to augment the capabilities and productivity potential of operators at any skill level.
 
The EDGE3i simplifies programming and set-up operations on the machine through the streamlined graphical layout of the Hyper-i Controller, while the “Project” function features a step-by-step tutorial mode that guides the operator through the entire process of creating a program.
 

Interactive E-Tech Doctor

The EDGE3i integrates many advanced support functions such as the interactive E-Tech Doctor that helps the operator to optimise the machining process by suggesting ways to improve a variety of problems, e.g. instable machining. The standard hand box with its LED display and emergency stop button offer greater power and efficiency at the operator’s fingertips. Other useful functions of the E-Tech Doctor include expert-level adjustment to the burn conditions and instructional videos that can be conveniently accessed at any time.
 

Uniform surface finish

The EDGE3i has a productive mix of advanced technologies to support a wide variety of applications. Makino’s exclusive Super Surface and Super Edge generator technology enable a uniform surface finish of excellent metallurgical quality and is free from surface defects such as pinholes or pitting.
 

Much shorter set-up time

The conventional set-up workflow for, say, 30 electrodes involves programming followed by electrode and workpiece measurement and a dry run on the machine. Only then can the actual machining process start. The EDCAM system in the EDGE3i can reduce this set-up time by up to 70% by eliminating manual input and the dry run. The latter is performed on a PC where settings such as the machining position, electrode shape and any interference between electrode and workpiece can all be checked. What’s more, the data needed for machining can be read directly from a CAD program, which eliminates any errors caused by manual input. And as the user interface is the same as that of machine controller, EDCAM is easy to use.
 
To see the new EDGE3i in action at AMB, you can visit Makino at Booth B11 in Hall 7.