ONA improves NX3C and NX3F die sinking machines

The enhancements include a brushless servo motor equipped with high speed heads and a servo-control system that combine to offer acceleration up to 1 G. The company has also introduced an ONA-designed C-axis that is integrated into the head of the machine for higher rigidity and precision. Ian Holbeche, managing director of the UK and Irish Republic distributor, Warwick Machine Tools, explains: "The advance in axis speed is particularly significant in the precision machining of narrow and deep grooves, which requires very thin graphite electrodes, as the velocity clears debris, so the risk of secondary arcing is therefore minimised. Available in two formats, the redesigned range is available with XYZ travels of 400 by 300 by 300 mm. The NX3F occupies 32% less floor space than the NX3. The NX3C, which also has a smaller footprint than its predecessor, features a rise-and-fall tank to make loading easier. The ONA NX series is designed to make automation of EDM die-sink work simple and effective. It features an open control and supervision protocol CNC, the ONA S-64, which allows the machine to be connected to workpiece and electrode changing robots, automated pallet systems and factory-wide plant controllers (PLCs and PACs). Both machine formats can be specified with a range of toolchanger options. The NX3C can be specified with a 20- or 40-station rotary ATC, while the NX3F can be fitted with a five-station linear changer or a 40-station rotary ATC. For greater automation, each can be fitted with a compact robot capable of loading/unloading a total of 300 workpieces and/or electrodes. All ONA NX models come with a micro-finishing EDM circuit capable of creating a surface finish to Ra 0.10 micron and a long-life filtration system capable of filtering to micron level.