Sodick AQ900L

$350,000 - $480,000 Updated 2026-03-16

Key Specifications

X Travel

900 mm (35.4 in)

Y Travel

600 mm (23.6 in)

Z Travel

420 mm (16.5 in)

Accuracy

±0.001 mm

uv taper range

±15° / 100 mm height

work table size

1,200 x 820 mm (47.2 x 32.3 in)

Overview

The Sodick AQ900L is a large-format wire EDM offering 900 x 600 x 420 mm X/Y/Z travel, positioned at the upper end of Sodick's AQ series to address progressive die shops, large mold builders, and aerospace suppliers that routinely work with oversized workpieces. With a maximum workpiece weight capacity exceeding 2,000 kg and a table that can accommodate blanks spanning nearly a meter in X, the AQ900L handles a class of parts that the majority of wire EDMs simply cannot reach. This capacity makes it a single-machine solution for die shops that would otherwise require multiple setups or specialized fixturing.

Like all Sodick wire EDM platforms, the AQ900L is built around direct-drive linear motors on the X, Y, U, and V axes. The elimination of ball screws removes the mechanical compliance and thermal growth that limit the achievable accuracy of conventional drive systems, particularly in large-format machines where ball screw length and thermal expansion effects are most pronounced. Sodick's 10-year positioning accuracy guarantee covers the AQ900L, underscoring the long-term stability benefit of the frictionless linear drive architecture.

The SP9 power supply equipped on the AQ900L delivers the generator performance needed to maintain cut quality across 420 mm Z-axis height. At this height, dielectric flushing gradients across the workpiece cross-section create the greatest challenge for conventional generators. Sodick's e-pak discharge technology monitors individual sparks and modulates energy delivery in real time to match actual flushing conditions, preventing the wire breaks and surface finish degradation that commonly affect large-format EDM on tall workpieces. The AQ900L supports brass wire diameters from 0.10 to 0.30 mm to accommodate roughing and fine-finish applications.

The machine's Sodick LQ controller includes pre-loaded technology tables for common die and mold steels, carbide, titanium, and aluminum, reducing programmer setup time on complex multi-pass jobs. Full submerged cutting is standard for thermal management on extended production runs. Automatic wire threading with in-cut re-threading capability supports overnight unattended operation — essential for a machine of this size, where job changeover overhead must be minimized to maintain utilization. The AQ900L competes with the Mitsubishi MV4800S, GF AgieCharmilles Cut 1000 Sp, and Fanuc ROBOCUT α-C1200iB in the large-format precision wire EDM class.

Full Specifications

Parameter	Value
X-Axis Travel	900 mm (35.4 in)
Y-Axis Travel	600 mm (23.6 in)
Z-Axis Travel	420 mm (16.5 in)
Uv Taper Range	±15° / 100 mm height
Work Table Size	1,200 x 820 mm (47.2 x 32.3 in)
Max Workpiece Weight	2,000 kg (4,409 lb)
Max Workpiece Height	420 mm (16.5 in)
Wire Diameter Range	0.10 - 0.30 mm
Drive System	Linear motors (X, Y, U, V axes)
Generator	SP9 with e-pak discharge circuit
Surface Finish	Ra 0.18 um achievable
Positioning Accuracy	±0.001 mm
CNC Control	Sodick LQ controller
Awt	Automatic wire threading with in-cut re-threading
Machine Weight	17,637 lbs (8,000 kg)
Accuracy Guarantee	10-year positioning accuracy guarantee
X Axis Travel	35.43” (900 mm)
Y Axis Travel	23.62” (600 mm)
Z Axis Travel	15.75” (400 mm)
U V Axis Travel	36.22” x 24.41” (920 x 620 mm)
Wire Diameter Range Min Max	0.006” ~ 0.012” (0.15 ~ 0.30 mm)
Work Tank Dimensions W D	54.09” x 44.61” (1,374 x 1,133 mm)
Maximum Workpiece Weight	4,409 lbs (2,000 kg)
Distance From Floor To Table	41.34” (1,050 mm)
Machine Tool Dimensions	93.70” x 124.02” x 94.29” (2,380 x 3,150 x 2,395 mm)

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

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

900 x 600 mm travel addresses large progressive die plates, automobile body panel dies, and oversized mold bases that exceed the capacity of most competing wire EDMs
Linear motor drives on all four axes with Sodick's 10-year positioning accuracy guarantee — no ball-screw thermal drift or wear degradation on a machine where long-term accuracy ROI is critical
SP9 e-pak generator maintains cut quality and surface finish consistency across the full 420 mm Z-axis height where conventional generators struggle with flushing gradients
2,000 kg workpiece capacity eliminates the need to rough-machine parts to reduce weight before EDM — large die blocks and mold bases can be loaded directly
Full submerged cutting and automatic wire threading with in-cut re-threading enable extended lights-out production runs on large, time-consuming jobs

Limitations

Machine footprint and weight require substantial floor space, reinforced flooring, and a dedicated electrical/chiller infrastructure investment beyond the machine purchase price
At $350,000-$480,000 new, the AQ900L demands high utilization and a consistent pipeline of large workpieces to justify the capital investment — not suited for shops with occasional large-part needs
Lead times for large-format Sodick machines can extend to 6-12 months depending on region and configuration — capacity planning requires advance procurement

Best For

Progressive die manufacturers producing large automotive stamping dies where die plate dimensions regularly exceed 700-900 mm in one direction Plastic injection mold shops building large automotive interior, bumper, or structural mold bases requiring precision cavity and core work on oversized blocks Aerospace and defense suppliers cutting large titanium, Inconel, and hardened steel structural components and tooling plates Die casting die shops where large die blocks and runner systems exceed the capacity of mid-size wire EDMs

Frequently Asked Questions

01 How does the AQ900L differ from the Sodick AG750L?

The AQ900L provides 900 x 600 mm X/Y travel versus the AG750L's 750 x 500 mm, and both offer 420 mm Z-axis capacity. The AQ900L's larger table and higher workpiece weight capacity (2,000 kg vs. the AG750L's approximately 1,500 kg) make it the appropriate choice when parts consistently require the larger envelope. The AG750L is the more common choice for shops where the majority of work fits within 750 x 500 mm with occasional larger pieces.

02 What wire sizes does the AQ900L support?

The AQ900L supports brass and coated wire diameters from 0.10 mm to 0.30 mm. Most production work runs with 0.25 mm standard brass wire for roughing and 0.20 mm or 0.15 mm wire for fine-finish skim passes. The SP9 generator includes technology tables for each wire type and diameter, selecting appropriate discharge parameters automatically based on the wire loaded.

03 Can the AQ900L cut parts taller than 420 mm?

420 mm is the Z-axis maximum for the AQ900L. Parts taller than this cannot be accommodated without modification. If your application regularly requires heights beyond 420 mm, Sodick's application engineering team should be consulted — in some cases, custom workholding or fixture design can bring effective part height within the machine envelope without altering the workpiece itself.

04 What facility requirements does the AQ900L need?

The AQ900L requires three-phase electrical service (typically 200-220V or 380-415V depending on region), a dedicated dielectric chiller circuit, compressed air supply for wire threading, and reinforced flooring rated for the machine's approximately 12,000 kg installed weight. Floor levelness is critical for large-format EDMs — Sodick provides installation specifications that must be met before commissioning.

05 Is the AQ900L suitable for carbide cutting?

Yes. The SP9 e-pak generator includes technology tables optimized for tungsten carbide, which requires different discharge characteristics than tool steel. Carbide EDM generates cobalt-contaminated dielectric that requires more frequent filtration system maintenance. Sodick recommends dedicated dielectric systems or more frequent filter changes when carbide work represents a significant portion of the machine's workload.