EDM Makers in Taiwan Working on Linear-motor Drive Micro-CNC Models

As Taiwan's manufacturers of conventional and computerized electric discharge machines (EDMs) have been doing whatever they can to, by developing higher-value-added products as computerized numerically controlled (CNC) wire-cut EDMs, keep at bay competition from emerging rivals from SE Asia and China, with some claiming they have been concentrating on linear-motor-driven CNC micro EDMs and wire-cut machines. As is often the case, the makers have been trying to tap foreign technology to upgrade, albeit mostly having been stonewalled.

More than four decades of manufacturing experience have turned Taiwan into a key producer of EDMs globally, with an industry insider claiming that the island supplies as much as 70% of the world's conventional EDMs.

The government-backed Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI), under the Industrial Technology Department of the Ministry of Economic Affairs in Taiwan, has spent over a decade to develop the core technologies to produce CNC wire-cut EDMs, and has transferred such technologies to some domestic manufacturers, enabling them to compete against makers in Japan and Europe.

The figures compiled by the Taiwan Machine Tool Foundation (TMTF) show that Taiwan exported some US$33.875 million of EDMs in the first half of 2009, down 58.2% year-on-year from US$81.016 million. TMTF chief executive C.C. Wang attributes such weakened exports to the global downturn, but believes a recovery is forthcoming in the fourth quarter of this year at the earliest.

The TMTF's tallies show that Hong Kong and China remained the largest buyer of Taiwan-made EDMs in the first half of this year, with the following trailing in descending order: the U.S., Turkey, Thailand, Holland, South Korea, United Kingdom, Vietnam, Italy, Malaysia, Germany etc.

Despite the slowdown, Taiwan's EDM industry looks promising with many in the line having almost completed the development of new-generation products to help boost competitiveness globally. TMTF's Wang notes that local EDM manufacturers can expect to receive steadily growing orders within Taiwan and other parts of the world.

High-performance EDMs

Ching Hung Machinery & Electric Industrial Co., Ltd., established in 1975, is a major maker of various EDMs and wire-cut machines, and the first to be ISO9001 and ISO14001 certified on the island, as well as known globally for its "CHMER" and "GENSPARK" brands. With a workforce of 500 in five factories in Taiwan, the maker can roll out 1,500 EDMs per year.

Ching Hung's founder W.S. Wang is also the president of the Precision Machinery Research & Development Center (PMC) and a member of the EDM Committee under the Taiwan Association of Machinery Industry (TAMI), whose solid background in R&D of precision EDM has given him the title of "The king of the Taiwan EDM Industry."

Unlike his peers who mostly are subcontractors, Ching Hung has always focused on R&D, as well as working with the ITRI for over two decades, which has enabled the maker to develop PC-based CNC EDMs as early as 1990, being one of a handful in Taiwan to possess such expertise. In addition and after seven years of personnel training and product improvement, the maker has been able to commercialize CNC wire-cut machines.

Wang says he aims to bring innovative technologies to Taiwan's EDM industry, and to make CHMER a top-3 EDM maker globally, as well as help turn the island into a leading exporter of CNC wire-cut machines.

Latest Triumph

Ching Hung's latest triumph is the self-developed, new-generation MV-series wire-cut machine with linear motor direct-drive that raises operating performance, with the maker claiming to be the first in Taiwan to and the world's second to apply linear-motor drive on such EDM.

The ESL energy-saving technology used in the linear motor is unique in Taiwan, saving power consumption by 15% compared to wire-cut machines without such technology.

Ching Hung says it has sold products to major industrial concerns as the Foxconn Group, Acer Inc., and Asustek Computer Inc. of Taiwan; GE, Pratt & Whitney, and Wilson Tool of the U.S.; and the TATA Group of India.

This maker of EDMs owes its success to adhering to a conscientious philosophy, one that is based on integrity, growth, customer satisfaction and employee security.

With an in-house R&D department, Ching Hung claims it has made breakthroughs in developing user-friendly CNC controllers along with EDM power-supplies, both of which help save production costs. A very popular product in its line is the all-in-one, compact wire cut EDM featuring high-rigidity column to handle heavy-duty work of large workpieces, with the machine being nearly 25% smaller than conventional counterparts.

Besides, the maker's in-house software department can optimize the interface between power-supplies and controllers to raise the cutting performance of its EDMs, as well as develop software for custom applications.

Timed perfectly to celebrate its 30th anniversary two years ago, Ching Hung unveiled its first precision bridge-type CNC wire-cut machines driven by linear motors. And its years of dedication to R&D culminated in its winning the "Machining Tool Research & Development, Innovation" from the Taiwan Association of Machinery Industry in March 2009.

The maker, exporting mainly to the USA and Europe, says it will develop more reliable machines and step up after-sale services to all its loyal customers.

Multi-functional wire-cut EDMs

Jiann Sheng Machinery & Electric Industrial Co., Ltd., founded in 1982, is an ODM (original design manufacturer) specializing in electrical discharge machines (EDMs) and wire-cut EDMs, which are marketed under its "JS" brand.

Becoming ISO-9002 and CE mark approved in 1997 clearly demonstrates this maker's capability in product quality and management; while another accolade is having won the "It's Very Well Made In Taiwan" award from the Ministry of Economic Affairs.

Wide-ranging Line

With considerable technical expertise, Jiann Sheng offers a variety of items, including conventional EDMs, CNC EDMs, wire-cut EDMs, and drilling EDMs, with unit prices ranging between US$15,000 and US$78,000.

Andy Liang, company president, says Jiann Sheng is one of the few in Taiwan who can produce such a wide range of EDMs, while its long-term effort towards innovation enables the maker to keep diversifying the line.

Besides offering machinery featuring advantages to meet specific requirements, the company says it can develop high-performance EDMs for the 3C (consumer electronics, communications, computer) industry.

The company's CNC-EA700L EDM has a 900 x 600mm worktable and 1400 x 800 x 500mm work tank, with 300mm spindle travel and rated load of electrode of 200 kilograms.

Its W-A50-series wire-cut EDM adopts C1-class precision ballscrews and linear guideways driven by AC servomotor to ensure high positioning accuracy. The high-grade Meehanite cast iron body is heat treated to minimize deformation during prolonged operation, as well as being optioned with automated threading mechanism.

Exported worldwide, including China, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia etc., and backed by renowned quality and price competitiveness, Jiann Sheng's EDMs are popular with many specialized manufacturers in various industries.

Micro-processor EDMs

Lien Sheng Mechanical & Electrical Co., established in 1988, is known for its dedication and professionalism in the EDM-making line in Taiwan, claiming it has built a solid image in high-precision EDMs and for quick after-sale service.

Headquartered in Tali of Taichung County, central Taiwan, Lien Sheng has agents from north-to-south across the island, including in Taipei, Hsinchu, Taichung, Tainan, and Kaohsiung counties.

Claiming to be Taiwan's earliest manufacturer of Z-axis programmable EDMs due to its long-term effort in innovation that is driven by steady investment in advanced production machine tools, this maker has been able to over the past few years improve design skills to take micro-processor EDMs to a higher plane.

Currently the firm offers Z-axis programmable EDMs, drill EDMs, CNC EDMs, and CNC wire-cut EDMs, mainly used by the mold-making industry.

Official Partnership

Lien Sheng also has been working with the ITRI to develop micro-processor EDMs.

As one of the maker's major product lines, micro-processor EDMs, relative to conventional counterparts, are capable of higher degrees of machining accuracy, processing efficiency, durability, stability, and automation, as well as being user-friendly.

Renowned for its private brand "ARISTECH," an acronym derived from accuracy, reliability, innovation, spark, and technology, this maker not only takes pride in its innovation ability, but also takes concrete steps to turn out cutting-edge products-currently planning retooling to raise the degree of precision in its product.

Already backed by agents in Hong Kong, Spain, Australia, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, Germany, Italy, France, Belgium, the U.S., Jordan, Turkey, Brazil, and Singapore, Lien Sheng continues to further expand its global distribution network.