Sodick AG600LH

$280,000 - $400,000 Updated 2026-03-16

Key Specifications

X Travel

600 mm (23.6 in)

Y Travel

400 mm (15.7 in)

Z Travel

420 mm (16.5 in)

Accuracy

±0.001 mm

uv taper range

±15° / 100 mm height

work table size

900 x 620 mm (35.4 x 24.4 in)

Overview

The Sodick AG600LH is a large-format wire EDM with 600 x 400 x 420 mm X/Y/Z travel, positioned as the high-specification variant of the AG600L with enhanced capabilities for precision toolmaking in demanding materials. The 'H' designation in the AG600LH denotes the machine's Linear Hybrid configuration — combining Sodick's direct-drive linear motors on the X, Y, U, and V axes with enhanced thermal compensation systems and a higher-specification generator package that distinguishes it from the standard AG600L for applications requiring the highest achievable surface finish and dimensional accuracy.

The AG600LH is built around Sodick's SP9 power supply with advanced e-pak discharge technology. The linear hybrid configuration augments the standard e-pak circuit with enhanced gap control algorithms and higher-resolution pulse modulation, enabling the AG600LH to achieve surface finishes approaching Ra 0.10 um on multiple skim passes — near mirror-finish quality in wire EDM terms. This capability is most relevant to die and mold toolmakers producing optical-grade mold surfaces, precision stamping dies with zero-draft walls, and aerospace components requiring both dimensional accuracy and specific surface texture requirements.

At 600 x 400 mm X/Y travel and 420 mm maximum workpiece height, the AG600LH accommodates the full range of large injection mold inserts, progressive die sections, and aerospace structural components encountered in high-end toolmaking environments. The machine's 1,500 kg maximum workpiece weight capacity, large tank, and full submersion capability make it appropriate for extended overnight runs on large, high-value workpieces. Sodick's 10-year positioning accuracy guarantee covers the AG600LH's linear motor axes.

The Sodick LQ controller on the AG600LH includes the full technology table library for standard and exotic materials, with additional programming support for the machine's enhanced generator capabilities. Automatic wire threading with in-cut re-threading is standard. The AG600LH competes with GF AgieCharmilles Cut 600 Sp, Mitsubishi Electric MV2400S, and Fanuc ROBOCUT α-C600iB Pro in the large-format precision wire EDM class where surface finish capability is the primary selection criterion.

Full Specifications

Parameter	Value
X-Axis Travel	600 mm (23.6 in)
Y-Axis Travel	400 mm (15.7 in)
Z-Axis Travel	420 mm (16.5 in)
Uv Taper Range	±15° / 100 mm height
Work Table Size	900 x 620 mm (35.4 x 24.4 in)
Max Workpiece Weight	1,500 kg (3,307 lb)
Max Workpiece Height	420 mm (16.5 in)
Wire Diameter Range	0.10 - 0.30 mm
Drive System	Linear Hybrid — linear motors (X, Y, U, V axes) with enhanced thermal compensation
Generator	SP9 with enhanced e-pak discharge circuit
Surface Finish	Ra 0.10 um achievable (near mirror finish)
Positioning Accuracy	±0.001 mm
CNC Control	Sodick LQ controller
Awt	Automatic wire threading with in-cut re-threading
Machine Weight	approx. 8,500 kg (18,739 lb)
Accuracy Guarantee	10-year positioning accuracy guarantee

Specifications sourced from sodick.com — verified 2026-03-28

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

Linear Hybrid configuration delivers the highest surface finish capability in Sodick's AG-series — Ra 0.10 um near-mirror finish enables optical mold and precision stamp die quality cuts
600 x 400 mm X/Y travel with 420 mm Z capacity covers large mold inserts, progressive die blocks, and aerospace blanks without the cost of an 800+ mm large-format machine
Enhanced e-pak generator provides higher-resolution pulse modulation for superior surface integrity and minimal recast layer — critical for high-cycle fatigue applications
Linear motor drives on all four axes with 10-year accuracy guarantee — the long-term accuracy stability justifies the premium for shops where rework costs on high-value molds are significant
1,500 kg workpiece capacity and full submersion enable extended lights-out operation on large, high-value tooling components

Limitations

Premium pricing over the standard AG600L — the enhanced generator and thermal compensation add meaningful cost that is only justified when Ra 0.10 um finish is a routine production requirement
600 x 400 mm travel is shared with the standard AG600L; shops primarily needing large envelope rather than fine finish may not benefit from the 'H' configuration premium
Like all large Sodick machines, the AG600LH requires significant floor space, three-phase power, and chiller infrastructure that adds to total installation cost

Best For

Optical mold shops producing lens, light guide, and reflector molds where cavity surface finish directly affects optical performance and post-EDM polishing must be minimized Precision stamping die manufacturers requiring zero-draft walls with near-mirror finish on punch and die faces to control part springback and ejection behavior Medical device toolmakers producing implant molds, surgical instrument dies, and tissue-contacting tooling components where surface integrity requirements are most stringent Aerospace toolmakers cutting hardened steel and titanium components where both dimensional accuracy and specific Ra surface finish specifications must be met simultaneously

Frequently Asked Questions

01 What does 'Linear Hybrid' mean on the AG600LH versus the standard AG600L?

The Linear Hybrid designation on the AG600LH refers to an enhanced configuration that combines the standard AG-series linear motor drive system with upgraded thermal compensation circuitry and a higher-specification generator package. In practice, the key differences are the AG600LH's enhanced e-pak generator with finer pulse modulation resolution and a more capable thermal error compensation system. These additions improve the machine's achievable surface finish and sustained accuracy over long production runs compared to the standard AG600L.

02 Can the AG600LH achieve Ra 0.10 um in production, not just in ideal conditions?

Ra 0.10 um is achievable on the AG600LH on standard tool steels (H13, P20, D2) with multiple skim passes using 0.15-0.20 mm wire, proper dielectric temperature control, and full submersion. In production conditions with consistent dielectric maintenance and temperature-controlled machine environment, Ra 0.10-0.15 um is reproducibly achievable. Ra 0.10 um requires careful optimization of skim pass count, wire speed, and flushing pressure for each specific workpiece geometry.

03 What is the practical difference between the AG600LH and the ALC600G for precision toolmaking?

The ALC600G is Sodick's precision-series machine optimized for accuracy and finish in the 600 x 400 mm travel class. The AG600LH is a large-format machine with the same travel that adds the capacity for 420 mm tall workpieces and 1,500 kg workpiece weights. For shops where workpiece height rarely exceeds 250 mm and workpiece weights are modest, the ALC600G may be the more efficient choice. The AG600LH's larger tank and higher capacity favor shops where tall, heavy die blocks and mold bases are the primary application.

04 Does the AG600LH require special wire for fine-finish work?

For roughing, standard 0.25 mm brass wire is used. For fine-finish skim passes, 0.15-0.20 mm coated wire (typically zinc-coated or diffusion-annealed wire) improves surface finish results. The AG600LH's enhanced generator has technology tables for each wire type and diameter combination. Coated wires also reduce the risk of wire breakage during skim passes, which is important for lights-out production scheduling.

05 How does the AG600LH's thermal compensation system work?

The AG600LH's enhanced thermal compensation uses temperature sensors at multiple points on the machine structure to model and compensate for thermal expansion in real time. As the machine warms up during production and as ambient temperature fluctuates, the compensation system applies axis corrections to maintain positioning accuracy throughout the run. This is most relevant for long overnight jobs where thermal steady-state conditions change from the start to the end of the run.