Precision Partnerships: Sodick Machine Elevates Erodex's Aerospace Research & Development

Sodick machine helps Erodex support R&D efforts of aerospace customers

Erodex has installed a Sodick AG60L spark erosion machine from Sodi-Tech EDM at its state-of-the-art machining centre in Halesowen. The new machine brings vital extra capacity to the facility, which Erodex operates as an R&D manufacturing centre in support of its customers, around 75% of whom serve the aerospace and IGT (industrial gas turbine) sectors.

Although Erodex already had a Sodick AQ35L, the company identified a clear need for a second die-sink EDM machine, as Chris Grice, Head of Strategic Capabilities, explains: “In line with our growth over the past five years we’ve witnessed a requirement for more technical support among our customer base.”

Erodex can of course simply manufacture electrodes to customer drawings, but because of its expertise in the aerospace and IGT sectors, the company has a deep knowledge of what customers are trying to achieve with regard to the geometry of the actual components. As a result, design and production advice from Erodex is today a pivotal part of its offer and provides important market differentiation. This advice is focused on driving down customer cost per part and might provide the customer with better yield on its consumable, greater manufacturing throughput, or reduced scrap and rework for instance.

Installed in the middle of 2020, the new Sodick AG60L offers the level of speed and accuracy that makes it the best-selling model in the AG series. At Halesowen, the machine has already been proving adept at developing new ways of producing electrodes and enhanced methods of die-sinking components, all of which help reduce development time for customers in the aerospace and IGT sectors.