Sodick AQ35L

$130,000 - $185,000 Updated 2026-03-17

Key Specifications

X Travel

350 mm

Y Travel

250 mm

Z Travel

220 mm

Table Size

450 x 320 mm

max workpiece weight

300 kg

max workpiece height

185 mm

Overview

The Sodick AQ35L is a compact wire EDM machine from Sodick's AQ series, engineered for precision cutting of small to medium workpieces in die and mold, medical device, and precision parts manufacturing environments. The AQ series sits below Sodick's premium AG line in the company's wire EDM portfolio, offering the core capabilities of Sodick's linear motor drive technology and SP control system at a price point accessible to shops entering the precision wire EDM segment or expanding capacity with a smaller-footprint machine.

Sodick's defining technology differentiator is its use of linear motor drives on all motion axes, replacing the recirculating ballscrew drives used on most wire EDM machines. Linear motors eliminate mechanical backlash, hysteresis, and ballscrew wear — the primary sources of positional inaccuracy and long-term performance degradation in conventional wire EDM machines. On the AQ35L, linear motors on the X, Y, U, and V axes deliver nanometer-level positioning resolution and maintain this precision throughout the machine's service life without the periodic ballscrew replacement that conventional machines require. The result is consistent dimensional accuracy from the first year of operation through the tenth.

The AQ35L's generator technology is Sodick's digital solid-state transistor generator, which produces precisely shaped discharge pulses that minimize heat-affected zone depth and electrode wire consumption. Compared to older RC (resistance-capacitance) generators, Sodick's transistor generator enables faster cutting at equivalent surface finish levels and reduces the wire consumption cost per unit of material removed. The generator's fine-finishing modes can produce surfaces in the Ra 0.2 µm range, sufficient for precision punch and die tooling, medical implant components, and fine blanking die work without secondary polishing.

Control is provided by Sodick's LN (Linear iQ) control system, a touchscreen CNC platform with Sodick's proprietary automatic parameter setting technology. Operators input the material, thickness, wire type, desired surface finish, and number of trim passes, and the control automatically generates a full cutting condition set — including first cut (rough), subsequent skim passes, and flush settings. This automation of condition selection is particularly valuable for job shops running a wide variety of materials and thicknesses, where manually building condition sets would be impractical.

The AQ35L is well suited for toolrooms and precision job shops where a compact, reliable wire EDM is needed for punch and die sets, mold components, and prototype parts. The machine's smaller work tank and table footprint make it easier to fit into shops with limited floor space. While it lacks some of the advanced features of Sodick's premium AG series — such as automatic wire threading restart in submerged conditions — the AQ35L delivers excellent dimensional accuracy and surface finish for the majority of wire EDM work typically encountered in job shop and toolroom environments.

Full Specifications

Parameter	Value
Table Size	450 x 320 mm
X-Axis Travel	350 mm
Y-Axis Travel	250 mm
Z-Axis Travel	220 mm
Max Workpiece Weight	300 kg
Max Workpiece Height	185 mm
Generator Power	Digital solid-state transistor generator, 8A peak
Surface Finish	Ra 0.2 µm (precision finish capable)
CNC Control	Sodick LN (Linear iQ) control
Machine Weight	2,800 kg

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

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

Linear motor drives on all axes for backlash-free positioning and long-term accuracy
Digital transistor generator minimizes heat-affected zone and wire consumption
LN control with automatic condition generation simplifies setup for new jobs
Compact footprint suits toolrooms and shops with limited floor space
Consistent Ra 0.2 µm surface finish for precision punch, die, and mold work

Limitations

Smaller work envelope limits maximum workpiece height and weight versus AQ55L or AG series
Does not include full submersion wire threading capability of premium AG series
Initial cost is higher than some Taiwanese or Korean wire EDM alternatives

Best For

Punch and die sets for stamping and fine blanking Precision mold components, inserts, and core pins Medical device components requiring tight tolerances and fine surface finish Toolrooms and job shops needing a compact, reliable precision wire EDM

Frequently Asked Questions

01 Why do Sodick machines use linear motors instead of ballscrews?

Linear motors directly drive the machine axes without mechanical intermediaries like ballscrews, eliminating backlash, mechanical hysteresis, and wear-related accuracy degradation over time. In wire EDM, where the machine must track complex contours to micron-level accuracy and repeat dimensions across many parts, linear motors provide a fundamental accuracy and longevity advantage. Ballscrew machines require periodic maintenance and eventual replacement to maintain original accuracy; linear motor machines do not have this limitation.

02 What wire diameters does the AQ35L support?

The Sodick AQ35L is typically configured for 0.20 mm brass wire as the standard wire diameter. It can also run 0.15 mm and 0.25 mm wire with appropriate guide and power feed contact changes. Smaller wire diameters (0.10 mm and below) are generally supported on Sodick's AG series or dedicated fine-wire machines rather than the AQ series.

03 What is the AQ35L's automatic wire threading capability?

The AQ35L includes automatic wire threading (AWT) for initial wire threading through a drilled start hole. Threading in air is standard; full submerged threading (threading while the work tank is flooded) is a feature of the higher-end AG series machines. For most job shop and toolroom applications, air threading capability is sufficient.

04 How many skim passes does the AQ35L typically require for a precision finish?

For Ra 0.2 µm surface finish, the AQ35L typically requires 3 to 4 passes: one rough first cut and 2 to 3 skim trim passes. The number of passes depends on material thickness, wire type, and target surface finish. Sodick's LN control automatically calculates and sequences the appropriate number of passes based on the operator's input parameters.

05 How does the AQ35L compare to the Sodick AQ55L?

The AQ55L is a larger machine with greater X, Y, and Z travel dimensions, a higher workpiece weight capacity, and a larger work tank suited for taller die blocks. Both machines share Sodick's linear motor drive technology and LN control system. The AQ35L is the better choice when workpiece size is within its envelope and shop floor space is limited; the AQ55L handles larger, heavier workpieces.