The Wire EDM machine can produce precision high-aspect ratio apertures with surface finishes down to Ra 0.1um, which eliminates the need for subsequent polishing on many applications.

'To further increase the productivity of an already very efficient machine, we have invested in a low profile, universal, work holding tooling system.

'By presetting the work piece away from the machine, we are able to minimise machine set-up times, improve flexibility and increase our machine capacity, all of which helps us to be more competitive.

In a recent request for a component incorporating high aspect ratio features, a major opto-electronics customer needed some multi-aperture plates from a 0.50mm-thick special stainless material.

The item could be manufactured economically using precision etching techniques, but the design included a fine radial slot only 0.2mm wide, an aspect ratio outside the capabilities of the etching process.

The design also asked for a high-quality cut surface finish and dimensional accuracy of +/- four microns.

 By combining its precision etching and wire EDM processes,we are able to meet the demands economically without the need for custom tooling.