Sodick ALN400G

$100,000 - $150,000 Updated 2026-03-11

Key Specifications

X Travel

400 mm (15.75 in)

Y Travel

300 mm (11.81 in)

Z Travel

250 mm (9.84 in)

Accuracy

+/-3 um

u axis

+/-75 mm (+/-2.95 in)

v axis

+/-75 mm (+/-2.95 in)

Overview

The Sodick ALN400G is a linear motor-driven wire EDM that represents Sodick's mid-range offering for shops needing reliable precision cutting with the speed and accuracy advantages of direct-drive technology. With 400 x 300 x 250 mm (15.75 x 11.81 x 9.84 inch) X/Y/Z travel, a 500 kg (1,102 lb) workpiece capacity, and Sodick's Smart Pulse Generator (SPG), the ALN400G handles the typical wire EDM workload — die components, mold inserts, precision tooling, and production parts — with cutting accuracy of +/-3 um and surface finishes down to Ra 0.20 um.

The linear motor drive system is the ALN400G's core advantage over conventional ball-screw wire EDMs. With no mechanical contact between moving parts, there's zero backlash, no wear-related accuracy degradation, and Sodick backs the positioning accuracy with a 10-year guarantee. The rigid flat linear motors on all four cutting axes (X, Y, U, V) are coupled with glass scales for closed-loop positioning feedback, which means the machine maintains its accuracy spec year after year without the periodic ball-screw compensation adjustments that conventional machines require.

The Smart Pulse Generator is Sodick's latest-generation power supply technology. It reduces the number of cutting passes needed to achieve target accuracy and surface finish — Sodick claims a 32% cutting time reduction compared to previous-generation models. The SPG adapts discharge parameters in real-time based on cutting conditions, which improves consistency across varying material types and thicknesses.

The three-sided rise/fall work tank is a practical design detail that makes a real difference in daily operation. All three sides drop down for workpiece loading, which means you can access the table from the front and both sides without reaching over a fixed wall. The tank also requires less floor space than swing-door designs. Wire diameter compatibility ranges from 0.05 to 0.30 mm (0.002 to 0.012 inch), covering both fine-detail work and standard production cutting.

Pricing for a new Sodick ALN400G typically falls in the $100,000-$150,000 range depending on options and dealer. Used machines from 2015-2020 trade between $45,000 and $85,000. The ALN400G competes directly with the Mitsubishi MV1200R, Makino U3, and GF AgieCharmilles CUT E 350 in the mid-range wire EDM segment.

Full Specifications

Parameter	Value
X-Axis Travel	400 mm (15.75 in)
Y-Axis Travel	300 mm (11.81 in)
Z-Axis Travel	250 mm (9.84 in)
U Axis	+/-75 mm (+/-2.95 in)
V Axis	+/-75 mm (+/-2.95 in)
Max Taper Angle	+/-25° at 130 mm height
Max Workpiece Size	600 x 470 x 250 mm (23.6 x 18.5 x 9.84 in)
Max Workpiece Weight	500 kg (1,102 lb)
Work Tank Dimensions	850 x 610 mm (33.5 x 24.0 in)
Wire Diameter Range	0.05 - 0.30 mm (0.002 - 0.012 in)
Surface Finish	Ra 0.20 um (8 uin Ra)
Positioning Accuracy	+/-3 um
Drive System	Rigid flat linear motors (X, Y, U, V)
Scales	Glass scales on all axes
Generator	Smart Pulse Generator (SPG)
CNC Control	Sodick SPM control
Machine Weight	7,385 lbs (3,350 kg)
Accuracy Guarantee	10-year positioning accuracy guarantee
X Axis Travel	15.75" (400 mm)
Y Axis Travel	11.81” (300 mm)
Z Axis Travel	9.84” (250 mm)
U V Axis Travel	5.91” x 5.91” (150 x 150 mm)
Wire Diameter Range Min Max	0.002” ~ 0.012” (0.05 ~ 0.30 mm) (With Available Options)
Work Tank Dimensions W D	33.45” x 24.01” (850 x 610 mm)
Maximum Workpiece Weight	1,102 lbs (500 kg)
Distance From Floor To Table	39.17” (995 mm)
Machine Tool Dimensions	86.22" x 95.47" x86.81" (2190 x 2425 x 2205 mm)

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

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

Linear motor drives on all cutting axes eliminate backlash and wear-related accuracy loss, backed by Sodick's 10-year positioning accuracy guarantee
Smart Pulse Generator delivers 32% faster cutting times than previous-generation Sodick models while maintaining Ra 0.20 um surface finish capability
Three-sided rise/fall work tank provides superior access for workpiece loading from front and both sides — saves floor space versus swing-door designs
Glass scales on X, Y, U, and V axes provide direct position feedback, eliminating cumulative errors from mechanical drive train wear
Wire diameter range from 0.05 to 0.30 mm covers both ultra-fine detail work and standard production cutting on a single machine
1,102 lb workpiece capacity handles die plates and mold inserts that smaller wire EDMs can't accommodate

Limitations

Z-axis travel maxes out at 250 mm (9.84 in) — shops regularly cutting tall parts should look at the ALN600G with 350 mm Z-travel
Surface finish specification of Ra 0.20 um is achievable but not class-leading — machines like the Makino U3 claim Ra 0.10 um with fine-wire capability
Sodick's North American dealer and service network is smaller than Mitsubishi's (MC Machinery), which can affect response times in some regions
The SPM control interface, while functional, isn't as modern or intuitive as the latest touchscreen HMIs from GF (UNIQUA) or Mitsubishi (M800)

Best For

Mold and die shops cutting tool steel, carbide, and hardened materials where long-term accuracy retention from linear motors justifies the investment Job shops needing a versatile mid-range wire EDM that handles a variety of part sizes and materials with consistent accuracy Production environments where the 32% cutting speed improvement from the Smart Pulse Generator directly impacts throughput and profitability Shops that value long-term cost of ownership — linear motors eliminate ball-screw replacement and periodic accuracy compensation Progressive die and stamping die work where the 400 mm X-travel and 500 kg workpiece capacity cover most typical die plate sizes

Frequently Asked Questions

01 What's the difference between the Sodick ALN400G and ALC600G?

The main differences are axis travel and workpiece capacity. The ALN400G offers 400 x 300 x 250 mm X/Y/Z travel with a 500 kg workpiece capacity, while the ALC600G steps up to 600 x 400 x 350 mm travel and 1,000 kg capacity. Both share the same linear motor technology and Smart Pulse Generator. The ALC600G is the better choice for shops working with larger die plates and mold components.

02 How does the 10-year accuracy guarantee work?

Sodick guarantees that the linear motor positioning accuracy will remain within spec for 10 years from installation. Since linear motors have no mechanical contact (no ball screws, no way wear), there's no mechanism for accuracy degradation. This is a meaningful advantage over ball-screw machines, which typically need accuracy compensation every 2-3 years and ball-screw replacement every 8-12 years.

03 What wire types work with the ALN400G?

The machine runs standard brass wire from 0.10 to 0.30 mm and can handle fine wire down to 0.05 mm for detail work. Coated wires like zinc-coated and diffusion-annealed types improve cutting speed and surface finish. Most shops run 0.20 or 0.25 mm brass wire for general work and switch to finer wire for small radii and tight-tolerance features.

04 What does a used Sodick ALN400G cost?

Used ALN400G machines from 2015-2020 typically trade between $45,000 and $85,000 depending on hours, condition, and included options like rotary axis. The linear motor design means used machines retain their accuracy better than ball-screw alternatives, making a well-maintained used ALN400G an excellent value proposition.

05 Is the ALN400G accurate enough for precision mold work?

At +/-3 um positioning accuracy and Ra 0.20 um surface finish, the ALN400G handles most precision mold and die work well. For ultra-precision applications requiring sub-micron accuracy, you'd want Sodick's ALC series or a premium machine like the Makino U6 H.E.A.T. But for the vast majority of mold cavities, die inserts, and production EDM work, the ALN400G's accuracy is more than sufficient.