Makino EDGE3i

The Makino EDGE3i is a mid-size sinker EDM from the EDGEi-Series, with 450 x 300 x 320 mm (17.7 x 11.8 x 12.6 in) of travel, a 600 x 450 mm (23.6 in x 17.7 in) table and an 80A generator. Workpieces can weigh up to 800 kg (1,764 lb) and electrodes up to 50 kg (110 lb).

The EDGE2i, the smaller machine of the series, has 300 x 250 x 250 mm (11.8 x 9.8 x 9.8 in) of travel, a 500 x 350 mm (19.7 in x 13.8 in) table and 40A as its standard current. That makes the EDGE3i the choice when a part is wider than 300 mm in X, sits deeper in Y, or needs the full 80A for roughing without paying for an option.

The work tank measures 800 x 550 x 350 mm (31.5 in x 21.6 in x 13.8 in) and the table lists a drop tank. Tool capacities of 5, 8 and 16 are listed without saying which is standard. Rapid traverse is 5,000 mm/min (197 ipm).

Makino's description of the EDGE3i is mostly about the control and the generator. IES (Intelligent Expert System) and SuperSpark4 are adaptive power and jump control technologies that stabilise the EDM discharge automatically, which Makino says improves accuracy and cycle time and minimises electrode wear. SuperSurface and SuperEdge generator technologies target a uniform finish free of pin holes or pitting. The Hyper-i control uses a 24” wide HD touch screen with smartphone-like operation, and the Project function has a step-by-step tutorial mode for creating a program.

Makino's text for this model does not mention fire suppression, a chiller or the tank layout, so confirm those items on the quotation rather than assume they match the smaller machine.