Excetek NP400L Plus

The Excetek NP400L Plus is the smallest of the NP series, a submerged wire EDM with 400 mm (15.7 in) of X travel and 300 mm (11.8 in) of Y. What separates the NP machines from the rest of the maker's wire range is the drive. X and Y run on linear motors, while U, V and Z use AC servo motors. Excetek pairs the linear axes with a 0.1 μm high-resolution digital ruler and describes a water circuit that carries heat away from the motors, so drive temperature does not disturb the cut.

The tank takes a part up to 750 x 550 x 215 mm (29.5 x 21.7 x 8.5 in) and 500 kg (1,102 lb). Z travel is 260 mm (10.2 in). U and V each move 120 mm (4.7 in), which gives a taper of ±30° over 100 mm (3.9 in) with the wide diamond guide and nozzle. Those are generous taper figures for a machine of this stroke, and they suit punch and die sections with relief angles. Wire from 0.15 to 0.3 mm is listed.

Automatic wire threading is on the standard accessory list here, together with XY linear scales. Excetek gives 10 sec for annealing and cutting the wire and 10 sec for threading at a workpiece thickness of 100 mm, and says the system re-threads at the break point. The probe-based auto measurement system, the Super Finish Circuit, a W axis and the remote monitor system are on the options list, so check which of them a quoted machine includes.

Planning the installation is simple: 2,260 x 2,525 x 2,150 mm (89.0 x 99.4 x 84.6 in) and 3,050 kg (6,724 lb), with a 650 L dielectric tank, an automatic deionizer and an automatic chiller. The NP500L Plus keeps the same Y and U/V strokes and adds X and Z, so the choice between the two comes down to part length and height.