Modern precision
engineering has brought about several innovations. Prominent among
these, of course, are the Computer Numerical Control or CNC machines.
These are used for milling and turning operations. As being a Leading
precision engineers in the US, Precision Products Inc (PPI) has a
wide range of CNC machines that also includes machines for high speed
hard milling and multitasking operations. Yet another important
innovation is that of Electrical Discharge Machining (EDM), one of
the most accurate manufacturing processes available today. It is
because of such EDM machines, which also include the capability of
4th axis EDM and the EDM drill that is needed for precision drilling of micronic holes, that PPI
has been able to meet the demands of customers that include jet
turbine fuel systems and the textiles industry.
EDM is not only one of
the most accurate among manufacturing processes but is also quite
affordable and very desirable especially when either low counts or
high accuracy is required. The EDM drill (“Hole Popper”)
is one of the specific types of the EDM. The EDM drill provides the
ability to drill pilot holes through heat treated materials and
carbide. This form of drilling is especially useful in selected tasks
such as the drilling of turbine blades for internal cooling in the
high-pressure turbine. Small hole EDM is also used to create
microscopic orifices for fuel system components among others tasks.
The 4th
axis EDM, on the other hand, is used to create smooth and
straight drills. This results in superior finish and is a technique
that can be used for reverse engineering. PPI has three Charmilles
wire EDM machines and one EDM current drilling machine. All EDM
machines have 4th axis capabilities. This naturally gives
an additional range of machining ability to make parts that are not
normally associated with EDM.
