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The Vital Importance of Value Realization
Frontiers in Manufacturing
AllTech Precision – Valencia, CA
Anderson Global – Muskegon Heights, MI
Die Technology – Osseo, MN
Engineering Techniques – San José, CA
Kenmode – Algonquin, IL
Pennco Tool & Die – Meadville, PA
Ron Witherspoon – Campbell, CA
T H E A G I E E D M M A G A Z I N E
NO. 28
H8458 8/25/06 8:19 PM Page 1
2AGIE experienceNORTH AMERICA 2006
In The Prime Solution, author JeffThull describes a «value gap» andcites three reasons for customersfailing to realize the potentialvalue of their investments:1.The product or service is
unable to deliver on thepromises made.
2.The customer is unable toproperly implement the prod-uct or service.
3.The customer’s expectationsare not met.
For us at Agie US, this provides a most interesting challenge—and opportunity. In short, thevalue gap is the differencebetween what the customerexpects and what the customergets—or perceives he has gotten.
For example, installation of thecustomer’s new EDM goes with-out a hitch and the machine per-forms generally as promised, yetthe customer still does notreceive the value he expected.Perhaps the salesperson lead thecustomer to expect a 30 percentincrease in productivity, but heonly realizes a 20 percent gain.The customer may rightly con-sider this a failure, since hisreturn was less than thatpromised.
Typically, this sort of situationsets off a round of finger point-ing. The customer points out thatthe solution didn’t work aspromised. The supplier may betempted to respond by sayingthat the solution works and thecustomer’s implementation is at fault.
Who’s right? Who’s wrong? For us, at Agie, it doesn’t matter.As Pogo put it, «We Have Met the Enemy and He Is Us.»
Or to put it another way—in amarket where long-term rela-tionships measured by repeatbusiness are critical to continuedsuccess, we recognize that thereis no room for disappointment,much less failure. The goal mustbe to develop mutually profitablepartnerships throughout the life-time of every machine we sell.Now here is the paradox. At oneend of the product spectrum, ifan EDM meets basic require-ments for accuracy and surfacequality, and uses a standardmachine tool control that isfamiliar to everyone in the shop,there is little complexity, littleperceived risk, and little likeli-hood of a value gap. But at thesame time there is little opportu-nity to make significant improve-ments in the manufacturingprocess. Suppliers of «me too»equipment therefore employ old-fashioned sales techniquesto persuade customers thatmediocre competitive productsare low risk decisions based on personal relationships, prod-uct familiarity, and—most of all—price.
The vital importanceof value realization‘‘
’’Special North America
Appears in September, 2006.
Editor:M. KatzGraphics:R. Grizzi, M. MilaniPrinted:Alpha Beta PressTinley Park, Illinois
© AGIEA business unit of AgieCharmilles Corp.No responsibility is takenfor the technical data orcontent of articles.
AGIE LTD575 Bond StreetLincolnshireIllinois 60069Tel +1 847 478 3500Fax +1 847 478 [email protected]
H8458 8/25/06 8:19 PM Page 2
- Dynamic response to virtuallyany situation with ContactManager, Lotto, Pieceinsert,Variocut, and Automatic Wire Offset
The new technology applies tothe company’s Classic andProgress series and the newVertex 2 and 3. Both theProgress and Vertex also featureeCut generator technology thatachieves surface finishes asgood as 0.8 µm Ra with one pre-cision cut—a process that iscompleted in half the timerequired by technologies thatincorporate a main cut and trimcut. In addition, the faster preci-sion cut requires 40% less filterand resin and results in 60%less wire consumption.
For more information on the new Agiecut V Series and thecomplete line of Agie wire and die sinking EDM systems,click on «Our Products» atwww.agieus.com
3AGIE experience
NORTH AMERICA 2006
So at Agie we are taking a differ-ent approach. We are calling oneveryone in our organization,from R&D to the factory floor,from our sales and marketingstaff to our customer supportteam, to focus on identifying newvalue creation opportunities assources of business advantagefor our customers. The articleon page 20 featuring KenmodeTool & Engineering is a goodexample of the shift from «It’sinstalled and running,» to «Wewill ensure that you are gettingthe value we promised.» Prior totaking delivery on a new AgiecutProgress 3, Kenmode partneredwith us in an evaluation of theirentire EDM operation. Goals and benchmarks were estab-lished and a four-phase pro-gram implemented. The endresult was not only successfulintegration of their new AgieEDM, but optimization of theirentire department.
’’ Becoming this kind of businessresource to our customers is afirm Agie commitment. We viewit as nothing less than the mostimportant opportunity for us todifferentiate our company andproducts in order to provide ourcustomers with a durable com-petitive advantage. That’s whywe have begun implementationof new initiatives that will helptransform Agie—unlike it’s com-petitors whose focus is on sell-ing a variation on a currenttheme—to a lifelong partnerwhere we are relied upon as asource of business advantage for our customers.
In «Death of a Salesman,» WillyLoman was described as goingout on his route on «a smile anda shoeshine.» Today, this simplywill not do. The requirement isfor technically competent busi-ness partners who can deliverfully integrated, comprehensivesolutions that result in lastingcompetitive advantage.
In today’s competitive global market there is absolutely nofuture in mediocrity! Based on the proven performance
of its Agiecut® Vertex, Agie hasextended «V» technology to itsentire wire-cut EDM offering. Allmodels will now share the provenIPG-V Vertex generator as well asthe Windows XP-based Agievision5 control.
As Executive VP Glynn Fletcherputs it, «This is improved perfor-mance that is significant andmeasurable. In five years on themarket, the Vertex has earnedthe reputation of being the mostaccurate wire machine in theworld. Now we are bringing thatlevel of performance to everyAgie wire-cut system we sell.»The list of user benefits featuredon V Series machines include:
- Top notch 3D graphics withreal time views and adjust-ments
- Activity bars for direct selec-tion of tasks
- Dual Pentium M chip, 40GBhard drive and 512 RAM
That is the Agie «100% Service»promise.
Agie V Series defines new Frontiers in Manufacturing.
AGIE V SERIES
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4AGIE experienceNORTH AMERICA 2006
AllTech Precision Manufacturing & EDM
28310 Avenue Crocker Suite E
Valencia, CA 91355
USA
Phone: 661.295.1646
Fax: 661.295.1016
[email protected]@AllTechPrecision.com
www.AllTechPrecision.com
Contact Danny Minikus Leon Ruther
Country USA
Production Prototype, precise production of intricate hardware
Target market USA and International
Employees 3
Founded 2001
EDM systems 1 Agiecut Excellence 2 with integrated A Axis1 Agiecut Sprint 701 Agiecut 1001 Agietron Impact 2 with integrated A Axis
Programming DP Technology Esprit Cad System
Certified AS9003
Clamping systems System 3R
Measuring, testing Nikon Microscope, Trimos, Zeiss CMM
first
in m
achi
ning
sol
utio
ns AllTech Precision Inc.
With the company’s focus on innovation, AllTech Precision overcomes engineering
and manufacturing challenges that would defy many other EDM shops. Many of
their customers’ applications are unique and involve machining exotic materials
such as titanium, pure tungsten, Haynes alloy 188, and Invar. Working with these
materials often requires an «inside out approach,» company spokesman Danny
Minikus notes. «This is a puzzle the competition should learn to solve!»
The flexure mount shown below is a key component in the Jet Propulsion
Laboratory’s SIM (Space Interferometry Mission) that will survey deep space for
signs of other earth-like planets. According to JPL scientists, compared to hitting a
baseball out of the park, SIM precision would be like hitting it to the next city.
«If you put an astronaut on the moon and watch [him] from the earth, and the
astronaut wiggles his index finger,» another scientist observes (http://plan-
etquest.jpl.nasa.gov/SIM/sim_index.cfm), «that is a motion that SIM could detect.»
H8458 8/25/06 8:19 PM Page 4
EDM is the solution of «non-machinable» parts
5AGIE experience
NORTH AMERICA 2006
Vision and future of AllTechAllTech was founded in 2001 togive the industry an alternativefor complex mechanical hard-ware manufacturing. Quality, reli-ability, flexibility and economicviability had to be the standards.A dynamic approach and machin-ing with function in mind wouldset us apart from other high pre-cision shops. We felt the need tothink beyond normal 4-axis man-ufacturing, and integrated a fifthand sixth axis, respectively, intoour die sink and wire machines.Taking all of this into considera-tion, we believed wire and diesink EDM had to be the corner-stone of our operation. It hasbeen exactly this concept thathas helped us to be successful.
AllTech rapidly established itselfas a crucial supplier for manyicon companies involved in deepspace exploration, aerospace,ultra-precision motion picturecameras and medical devices.With a clear vision, and the rightcustomers and suppliers, we cansee a very positive and pre-dictable future.
The flexure mount was machined
from 6AL4FV titanium for the Jet
Propulsion Laboratory’s Space
Interferometry Mission. The overall
diameter of the workpiece is 4.5” and
it was cut using an Agiecut
Excellence with an integrated A axis.
In the process, the flexure mount
tool path is generated from a solid
model and transferred to the
Agievision control in the piece editor.
The necessary modifications and
changes can be made decisively.
Manufacturing the part with one
setup ensures a higher functional
quality and extended runtime.
Detail of the housing for the dither
mechanism of a beam launcher.
In the middle is shown a shneck
triple lead thread, made of 99.9%
pure tungsten. It was manufactured
in its entirety using only the Agiecut
Excellence wire EDM (with inte-
grated A axis).
The housing for the dither mecha-
nism of a beam launcher was
machined using both the Agiecut
Excellence with integrated A axis and
the Agietron Impact.
H8458 8/25/06 8:19 PM Page 5
EDM replaces many other machining techniquesIn today's high-end EDM applica-tions, exotic materials and ultraprecision become a standard. We at AllTech believe EDM withits uniqueness, along with Agie’sextensive technology database,have to be considered the engi-neer’s first choice. We should not forget that the EDM processallows you to create part featuresthat are smaller, with tighter tolerances than most other types of machines can hold. With all of this in mind, engi-neers will dream about the possibilities of tomorrow.
EDM solves geometrical problems of applicationsFor AllTech, the following repre-sents a typical process: the flex-ure mount tool path is generatedfrom a solid model and trans-ferred to the Agievision control inthe piece editor where the neces-sary modifications and changescan be made quickly and deci-sively. The workpiece is fixturedat the A axis of the AgiecutExcellence, which gives AllTechthe freedom of using one moredimension to manufacture com-plex and difficult parts.Manufacturing parts with onesetup ensures a higher func-tional quality and extended run-time. In this case, there were 3machining steps, with a 120-degree radial rotation betweeneach step.
AllTech Precision, Inc.
6AGIE experienceNORTH AMERICA 2006
”
We, at AllTech, strongly believe that Agie is ahead of the competition in
regards to its concept of EDM, and surely keeps you ahead in today's
ever-challenging manufacturing environment. Thanks to Agie systems
and the Agievision control, we are highly competitive in prototype and
production. Flexibility is an underrated advantage but one we feel is vital
– and Agievision delivers exactly that. Multi-axis machining is brought to
a new level with the integrated A-axis, which makes 5-axis radial
machining on a wire EDM possible.
Danny Minikus,
AllTech Precision Manufacturing & EDM
“
H8458 8/28/06 12:39 PM Page 6
7AGIE experience
NORTH AMERICA 2006
We would like to thank Alltech,especially Danny Minikus andLeon Ruther from AllTechPrecision Manufacturing & EDMfor their kind support and friendlyco-operation with this report.
Responsible
Sales Manager:
Hans Baumgartner,
EDM Concepts.
The workpiece dataDesignation Flexure mount
Material 6AL4V Titanium
Dimension of workpiece 4.5” diameter
Type of wire Cobra cut A, 0.250 mm diameter
Number of cuts 1 main cut; 3 trim cuts
Time of wire cutting 15 hours
Precision of positioning ± 5 µm all over workpiece
Roughness Ra 0.22 µmSeries of micro parts made of
Haynes 188 for Space Shuttle motor
manufactured on Agiecut 100 using
4 Axis machining.
H8458 8/25/06 8:19 PM Page 7
8AGIE experienceNORTH AMERICA 2006
Anderson Global
500 W. Sherman Blvd.
Muskegon Heights, MI 49444
USA
Tel 231-733-2164
Fax 231-733-1288
www.andersonglobal.com
Contact Frank Marciniak, Contour Milling ManagerDan Arends, Sales Engineer
Large tooling quantities, short lead
times, complex geometry, high engi-
neering content and the need for simul-
taneous development are just some of
the global requirements Anderson
meets today. At the same time, their
technology and their systems enable
them to provide tooling packages for
prototype, small nature and one-of-a-
kind projects with the same efficiency
as large projects. And the Anderson
Global product-development and cus-
tomer-process consultation create
additional value.
Country USA
Production Tooling of cylinder head molds, cylinder blocksprecision sand, suspension molds, wheel molds, green sand patterns, rim molds, die cast, squeeze cast,lost foam, injection molds, prototypes and turnkey
Target market International
Employees 120
Founded 1937
EDM system 1 Agietron Hyperspark 3, automated with System 3R
Programming - PS Electrom Delcam- Work NC- Mastercam- Catia- Unigrafics
Clamping systems System 3R Macro
Measuring, testing - DEA - Brown & Sharp
Anderson Global began as Anderson
Pattern 75 years ago, serving high-volume
casting manufacturers with complex
tooling of unmatched quality. After 25
years under present ownership, the com-
pany is now Anderson Global, combining
an extraordinary continuity of experience
with cutting-edge technology, automation,
innovation and a truly global approach
to business.
Anderson Global
H8458 8/25/06 8:20 PM Page 8
9AGIE experience
NORTH AMERICA 2006
Steering wheel RIM molds were an
excellent application for EDM and high-
speed machining.
Graphite electrodes are manufactured
with high-speed cutting (HSC).
Both electrodes and tools are checked
for dimensional accuracy on the mea-
suring machine.
The EDM program on the Agietron
Hyperspark 3 can be started with just a
few data inputs.
From high-speed cutting backto die-sinking EDMTool supplier to many renowned companies With the realignment of the business in 2005, its PresidentJohn McIntyre also changed thefirm's name from AndersonPattern to Anderson Global. Thecompany's new name thusalready gives expression to thefact that its business is not justlimited to the home market USA,but customers from the wholeworld are among its clientele.Anderson Global's worldwideactivity is also shown by the vari-ous manufacturing facilities:- Production Mold in Phoenix,
Arizona, USA- Kunshan Production Mold in
Kunshan, China- Harbin Dongan Mold & Design
in Harbin, China.Further branches are planned inMexico, Europe and other coun-tries, clearly showing the com-pany's strategic realignment. Asuccess that resulted from therecession a few years ago, whenAnderson Global invested in amodern plant. Since recently,this has also included anAgietron Hyperspark with han-dling system that ideally comple-ments the high-speed millingthat is mainly employed atAnderson Global.
H8458 8/25/06 8:20 PM Page 9
10AGIE experienceNORTH AMERICA 2006
HSC cannot really take the place of die-sinking EDMAs, contrary to current opinion,high-speed cutting (HSC) cannottake the place of die-sinking EDMwithout any problems, AndersonGlobal is once again backing die-sinking EDM with an AgietronHyperspark 3. Why?1.For process engineering rea-
sons: in the case of hardmilling, many small inside radiiand narrow slots cannot bemachined.
2.To remain efficient, contouredsurfaces shouldn't be producedusing HSC.
3.HSC of hardened steel requires agreater programming effort thanprogramming for electrodes.
4.The costs for tools (milling cut-ters with different lengths,diameters and hardnesses) arerelatively high in the case of HSC.
5.The number of electrodes can be massively reduced byconnecting many geometries to one electrode.
6.Graphite as an electrode mater-ial can be quickly machined andis thermostable, thus increasingthe reproduction accuracy.
7.Die-sinking EDM can run to the greatest possible extent in an automated, lights-out oper-ation, meaning that night andweekend shifts can be oper-ated, reducing costs.
Detailed justifications at AndersonGlobal were put into practice withthe purchase of an automatedAgietron Hyperspark 3.
Automated die-sinking EDM canrun day and nightHSC and EDM were employedsynergistically for manufacturinga tool for the production of Delphisteering wheels: Hard milling forlarge mold areas and die-sinkingEDM for small and complex cavityareas. Some data on the manu-facture of the tool and its use:- After completion of the hard
milling, complex detailed wereEDM machined with graphiteelectrodes.
Die-sinking EDM runs without any
problems in unsupervised operation.
An ideal automation solution with
die-sinking EDM was found for
Global Anderson with System 3R.
Ben Plower, programmer; Mike
Anthony, operator of the Agietron
Hyperspark; Frank Marciniak,
Contour Milling Manager are all
from Anderson Global, as well as
Dave Pederson, technical consultant
from Agie Ltd. (from left to right).
At Anderson Global they also mea-
sure in the largest dimensions.
Anderson Global
- The visual and CMM inspectionof the tool was carried outinternally.
- The sequence of functions forsteering wheel production isthen as follows: The arbor,which is cast magnesium withintegrated spokes, is placed inthe mold, then the two halvesof the tool are closed and RIMmolded with urethane foam.Then the steering wheel isremoved from the mold.
Innovation in tool and mold mak-ing, with which Anderson Globalserves its customers worldwide,provides the company with anever expanding market.
- For this purpose, 1 roughingand 1 finishing electrode wereused in each case which werefed and removed by means ofthe 28-fold electrode changeron the Agietron Hyperspark.
- The workpiece and electrodepositions were determined bymeans of the Agiesetup 2D'smeasuring cycles and allottedto the machining parametersby the Agievision control unit.
- On the areas where EDM wasinvolved, the required surfacequality of VDI 27 was achieved.
- The share of die-sinking EDMin the total manufacturing timewas 10 hours.
- From the design to the finishedtool, the total time requiredwas just 6 weeks.
H8458 8/28/06 12:28 PM Page 10
11AGIE experience
NORTH AMERICA 2006
“
”
The use of die-sinking EDM is not just a sensible complement
to high-speed cutting in our process as a whole, but EDM
also makes high-speed machining more productive at
Anderson Global thanks to improved throughput caused
by EDM in difficult areas to machine.
Frank Marciniak,
Contour Milling Manager of
Anderson Global
We would like to thank Anderson Global, especiallyFrank Marciniak, Contour MillingManager and Dan Arends, SalesEngineer, as well as Bob Byers,Representative of C. B. De Korne,Inc. for their kind support andfriendly co-operation with thisreport.
Responsible
Sales Engineer:
Bob Byers,
C.B. Dekorne
The tool dataDesignation RIM injection mold over metal arbor
Finished product Delphi steering wheel
Material of tool P 20 steel
Weight of tool 120 lbs (54,4 kg)
Service life 2 millions
Machining of electrodes HSC (High Speed Cutting)
Material of electrodes Graphite
Number of electrodes 1 roughing, 1 finishing per cavity
Time of die-sinking 10 hours
Roughness VDI 27
H8458 8/25/06 8:20 PM Page 11
12AGIE experienceNORTH AMERICA 2006
Die Technology
Die Technology Incorporated
8820 Jefferson Highway
Osseo, MN 55369
USA
Phone: 763.424.9677
Fax: 763.424.8766
www.dietechnology.com
Contact Mr. Jerry Mader, Owner Mr. Dale Skoog, Owner/General Manager
Country USA
Production Designs and builds precision stamping dies, tools, and fixtures
Target market Medical, electronic, and telecommunications industries
Employees 12
Founded 1988
EDM systems 1 AC 503 Agiecut 315DEMs1 Agiecut Evolution 21 Agiecut Progress 21 Agietron Spirit
Programming Solid Works, SurfCAM, ESPRIT
Clamping systems System 3R, custom solutions
Certified Currently implementing ISO 9001:2000 quality system and anticipates certification during the fall of 2006
Measuring, testing Mitutoyo, Fowler, Starrett
Die Technology is an innovative tooling manufacturer with awell established record for high quality and precision.Founded in 1988, Die Technology designs and builds precisionstamping dies, tools, and fixtures for the medical, electronic,and telecommunications industries. We also provide customwire EDM that is outsourced to us by a wide range of manufac-turing companies in the Minneapolis/St. Paul market area.
H8458 8/25/06 8:20 PM Page 12
13AGIE experience
NORTH AMERICA 2006
Precision and Value in Wire EDMFrom the outset Jerry Mader recognized a market for precisionwire electrical discharge machin-ing and precision die manufac-turing. The company grew andprospered by employing highlyskilled toolmakers and providingthem with high accuracy wireEDM and tool room equipment toprovide customers value in preci-sion machining.
Prior to opening the doors ofwhat is now Die Technology, thecompany founder, Jerry Mader,had owned and operated two Agie315DEM wire machines and theyare still running everyday in hisshop today. As co-owner DaleSkoog notes, «From 1980 untiltoday, the 315’s have deliveredaccuracy second to none.»
A temporary defectionIn the mid-eighties, Jerry Maderhad an experience that wasunfortunately all too common.He evaluated the new Agiecut100 series. He was notimpressed with what he saw andswitched to Mitsubishi, buying anSX10, an SX20, and a 110HA inthat period.
«After five to six years theMitsies got ‘loose’,» Dale Skoogrelates, «and the autothreaderswere unreliable. We came backto Agie, first in 2000 when weacquired our Agiecut Evolution toreplace the 110. Next, webrought in the Progress andAgietron Spirit. All three haveadded important capabilities toDie Tech’s shop floor.»
The fixture (above) has two openings for
machining access. There are six die holes
for punching and one hole where a through
beam product sensor is used.
H8458 8/25/06 8:20 PM Page 13
«Living and succeeding in an environment where others perish…»To do just that, Die Technologyfocuses on the kinds of applica-tions that other shops can’t han-dle or rather avoid. Onesignificant part of their business,for example, is keypad dies forcell phone manufacturers.Although virtually all of the man-ufacturing is done in Asia, DieTech continues to produce thesedies. Why? Because the jobinvolves stamping of 0.002”stain-less steel, to 0.0002” tolerancewhile holding roundness and trueposition on all openings. DieTechnology runs one mannedshift, then it’s lights out, so theyhave to have absolute reliabilityof their EDMs.
The challenges included a0.0001” punch-to-die clearancethat requires 0.0001” true posi-tion tolerance on multiple com-ponents. The fragile mandrelcross-section requires an EDMprocess that doesn’t affect theproperties of the base material,either in the die opening or thedie relief. Any micro crackingwhatsoever would lead to prema-ture failure of the mandrel.
Die holes and chuck (left) with four
electrodes for sinking the die relief
counter bore.
The Agie Spirit achieves thesame finish in the die relief asthe wire EDM finish in the hole,with no degradation of the basematerial. Finally, replacementcomponents must be compatiblewith equipment manufacturedyears earlier.
14AGIE experienceNORTH AMERICA 2006
Die Technology
Another tough application cameto Die Tech from a medical com-pany that needed a better processfor punching multiple holes in thesidewall of a catheter, becausedrilling the holes with a core drillwas proving unsatisfactory. DieTech designed and manufactureda prototype single-hole punch tocreate a hole 3.5” from the end ofthe catheter. The prototypeworked so well that the customerasked for a model that wouldpunch six holes simultaneously ina radial pattern.
H8458 8/28/06 1:31 PM Page 14
Close-up of the die relief counter bore
created by the Agietron Spirit 2.
We would like to thank DieTechnology Incorporated, espe-cially Dale Skoog, Owner/GeneralManager, as well as KevinManion, Representative of T.Bryce & Associates, Inc. for their kind support and friendlycooperation with this report.
Responsible
Sales Engineer:
Everlee Dewall,
Agie US
The tool dataDesignation Precision hole punching equipment
Finished product Pebax tube, 0.070” OD, 0.045” ID
Material of tool M-2 steel 62-64 R/C
Service life 75,000 cycles
Type of wire GISCO COBRA CUT A
”
We use Agie equipment today because of process consistency,
superior technology, and overall reliability. When we pur-
chased the Evolution 2, we realized a significant increase in
unattended cutting, better accuracy, better finish, and reduced
processing time over the ‘other brand’ it replaced. This trend
continued when the Agiecut Progress was installed.
Dale Skoog
Owner/General Manager
Die Technology
15AGIE experience
NORTH AMERICA 2006
“
H8458 8/28/06 1:31 PM Page 15
16AGIE experienceNORTH AMERICA 2006
Country USA
Production High-precision parts and components for the medical, biomedical and electronics industry
Target market North America
Employees 4
Founded 1978
EDM systems 1 Agiecut Vertex1 Agiecut Evolution 21 Agiecut 170 HSS1 Agiecut 170 MMD
Programming Camtek, Esprit
Clamping systems System 3R, own solutions
Measuring, testing - CNC measuring machine OGP Flash - Microscope Leica- Contour measuring machine Nikon Vision- Digital microscope Keynace- Surface measuring system Mitutoyo- Toolmakers mikroscope Mitutoyo
Engineering Techniques, Inc.
3751-A Charter Park Court
San José, CA 95136
USA
Tel 408-267-4000
Fax 408-267-4005
Contact Marsh Syverson, President
Engineering Techniques, Inc. has special-
ized in the manufacture of high-
precision parts and prototypes which it
supplies to companies active in the med-
ical, biomedical and electronic fields. The
business enterprise is based in Silicon
Valley in California, immediately associat-
ing it with high-tech made in the USA
which is also absolutely correct in the
case of the company established in 1978.
A wrench together with salt crystals and a
needle point in magnification show the
capability in the micrometer range.
Engineering Techniques Inc.
H8458 8/25/06 8:22 PM Page 16
17AGIE experience
NORTH AMERICA 2006
ED wire cutting shaped the company right from the outset When Marsh Syverson estab-lished Engineering Techniques,Inc. in 1978, he quickly discov-ered the enormous potential thatwas offered by the then stillyoung technology of ED wire cut-ting. Many conventional process-ing steps, such as drilling, millingor grinding, could be imple-mented in one production stageusing ED wire cutting.
So the company specialized moreand more in the production ofprototypes and small series ofparts for medicine, electronicsand biomedicine. The proximity tohigh-tech businesses in SiliconValley did the rest, meeting theneed for high precision proto-types and parts. There was also acall for Engineering Techniques’skills when it was a question ofturning an idea, a sketch done byhand or a model into parts readyfor use by means of the technol-ogy of ED wire cutting. In thiscase, the twenty-seven years ofexperience and know-how whichMarsh Syverson, the owner andmanaging director of EngineeringTechniques, Inc., had been ableto acquire on EDM machinesfrom Agie, proved useful for him.
The future has alreadybegun with Vertex
The parts cut on an Agiecut Vertex in
series of 2 x 50 units in each case serve
for the positioning of 2 mm small
microchips in eye operations.
H8458 8/25/06 8:22 PM Page 17
18AGIE experienceNORTH AMERICA 2006
Agiecut Vertex means ED wire cutting
in new dimensions of precision and
miniaturization.
A further example of ED wire cutting in
the smallest dimensions with the highest
precision are needle points used in the
electronics branch.
Manufacture small series eco-nomically with ED wire cuttingIn connection with a medical pro-ject for optical surgery,Engineering Techniques Inc.received the order to manufacturethe parts required for positioning 2 mm large microchips in eyeoperations. The material to bemachined were 0.0762 mm (0.003inch) thick foils made of stainlesssteel 304. Owing to the high preci-sion requirements for contouraccuracy and surface quality,punching was out of the question.There remained ED wire cuttingwhich with its reproducible preci-sion was the process suitable forcutting these parts. For this pur-pose, 50 foils were stacked at atime and pressed between twothicker plates. This had a twofoldadvantage: It was possible tomachine the foils vibration-freeand produce 2 x 50 foils perclamping. For fixing purposes,Engineering Techniques, Inc.designed a kind of clamp thatwere manufactured by means ofED wire cutting. For this purpose,the whole stack was clamped as apackage, the starting holes drilledand then adjusted on the AgiecutVertex for machining.
Engineering Techniques Inc.
Problem-free threading of finest wiresFirst of all, the 6 circles weremachined with one cut. Then thecrescent-like contours as well asthe lower part of the positioninginstruments were cut free. Inorder to achieve the requiredsurface quality of Ra 0.1 µm,three trim cuts were carried outon the crescent-like section. Inorder to ensure the highest con-tour accuracy without physicalinfluences, the long web of theparts was only cut free at the endwith one cut.
The following capabilities andcharacteristics of the AgiecutVertex were assessed as beingextremely positive:- The reliable wire threading,
with even the finest wires in thesmallest holes.
- The simple employment of twodifferent wire types thanks todouble reels.
- The high contour accuracy andrepeatability of the EDMresults.
- The small space required forthe ED wire-cutting machine.
In addition, the advice givenbefore and after the purchase, aswell as the following training onthe Agiecut Vertex were felt to bevery professional. «A first-classproduct also needs first-classservice and Agie USA offers usthat», observes Marsh Syverson,President of EngineeringTechniques, Inc..
H8458 8/28/06 1:38 PM Page 18
“The Agiecut Vertex is the ED wire-cutting
machine with which we are at last able to
cut high-precision parts without the costs
getting out of hand for us. The machine’s
compactness fits in with our cramped
space situation, so that we only have to
air condition a very small area.
Marsh Syverson,
President of
Engineering Techniques, Inc.
”
We would like to thank MarshSyverson, President ofEngineering Techniques, Inc., aswell as John Servin, President ofHenry Servin & Sons, Inc. fortheir kind support and friendlyco-operation with this report.
Responsible
Sales Engineer:
Ken Farr,
Agie US
The workpiece dataName Pusher for a micro-chip (2 mm size) to restore vision
Material 304 stainless steel, 0.003 inch thickness
Number of pieces Batches of 100 (2 on 1 plate, piled up to 50 plates)
Number of cuts 1 main cut, 3 trim cuts
Wire type CCA 0.1 mm
Roughness Ra 0.1 µm at the top of the pusher
19AGIE experience
NORTH AMERICA 2006
The stacked cut parts serve in eye
operations for the positioning of
microchips which can restore
the vision of people blind from birth.
H8458 8/25/06 8:22 PM Page 19
20AGIE experienceNORTH AMERICA 2006
Kenmode Tool & Engineering, Inc.
820 West Algonquin Road
Algonquin, IL 60102-2486
USA
Tel 847-658-5041
Fax 847-658-9150
www.kenmode.com
Contact Kurt Moders, PresidentRobert J. Lackowski, Vice President of Sales & EngineeringMike Haber, Manufacturing Manager
Every day Kenmode implements
improvements or adds new equipment.
Tools are designed and built utilizing the
latest in equipment and electronic
design and build (CAD/CAM) technology.
Skilled design engineering and tool
room staff drives this technology.
Training and continuous improvement
day by day is the secret of Kenmode Tool
& Engineering, Inc. at Algonquin, a one
hour drive away from the O’Hare airport
of Chicago.
Country USA
Production Stamping tools and progressive dies (carbide) for these industries:- Automotive- Telecommunication- Electronics- Consumer products
Target market International
Employees 140
Founded 1960
EDM systems 1 Agiecut Progress 3, automated with Workmaster from System 3R
1 Agiecut Challenge 33 Agiecut 250 HSS
Programming Peps from Camtek
Clamping systems - System 3R- Mecatool
Certified ISO-9001/2000
Measuring, testing - Mitutoyo 326A optical comparator and SV-400 surface profilometer
- Brown & Sharp tool maker micrometer and CMM- Nikon C12 and H14B optical comparators- Wilson hardness tester- PPT vision inspection system
Craftsmanship is a tradition at Kenmode.
The philosophy: Total solutions to cus-
tomer needs utilizing state-of-the-art
technology along with skill and knowledge
for superior results. Kenmode continues to
embrace this philosophy and continues to
look to the future.
Kenmode Tool &Engineering, Inc.
H8458 8/25/06 8:22 PM Page 20
Wire-cutting is key-technologyfor progressive die stamping
21AGIE experience
NORTH AMERICA 2006
Uncompromised quality and performanceBeginning with the company’sfirst day of operations in 1960,continuous improvement becamea way of life at Kenmode Tool &Engineering, Inc.
When Werner Moders andKenneth Haber founded thecompany in 1960 with the visionto produce close tolerance metalstamping dies and run them forproduction in their own facility,their philosophy was simple: Build a customer base through«strict adherence to uncompro-mised quality and performancestandards» and «customer satis-faction through continuousimprovement.»
Adhering to this philosophy hasresulted in customer satisfactionand continuous growth forKenmode. Stability is also a keyingredient in the Kenmodeprocess. The Moders and Haberfamilies have been directlyinvolved with daily operationsfrom the beginning. Werner con-tinues today as CEO, while hisson Kurt is President of the com-pany. Ken’s son, Michael Haber,is the Manufacturing Manager.Years of dedication have broughtKenmode to where they aretoday, and will continue to drivetheir success in the future.
The company focuses on totalsolutions to customer needs, uti-lizing state-of-the-art technologyand a highly skilled and knowl-edgeable staff. As the opportu-nity or need arises, Kenmodeimplements process improve-ments or adds new equipment.Tools are designed and builtusing the latest in CAD/CAMtechnology.
Although Kenmode has used fourdifferent generations of Agieequipment during their 46 yearsof operation, it applied the samerigorous process of evaluation toits most recent acquisition – anAgiecut Progress 3 – that it mighthave demanded of a new vendorpartner. The goal: to ensure thatthe full value of its entire EDMdepartment was optimized priorto signing the purchase order forits latest Agie EDM.
Unlike many EDM shops aroundthe country, Kenmode uses thedies it creates in its own captiveprecision stamping operation. Achanging manufacturing environ-ment within the United Stateshas required many tool and diemakers to look outside their tra-ditional markets and Kenmode isno exception. Once heavily relianton its electrical connector busi-ness, the company has used itsability to design, tool and runcomplex carbide progressive diesto expand into the automotive
and medical markets, producinghighly intricate stampings suchas the one shown here.
After 46 years, the commitmentmade early on by Werner Modersand Kenneth Haber continues toguide the company. Althoughmarkets may change, the philos-ophy of good business remainsthe same: provide a quality prod-uct, on time, at a fair price, andremember that people make thedifference.
H8458 8/28/06 1:46 PM Page 21
22AGIE experienceNORTH AMERICA 2006
Optimized EDM machining processesThe products manufactured byKenmode range from very smallelectrical contacts to large-scaleautomotive assemblies that mustbe produced with extremely shortlead times to very demandingquality metrics.
Prior to adding the AgiecutProgress 3 to their EDM line-up,Kenmode implemented an opti-mization program with the goalof maximizing the value of thecompany’s existing Agie wire-cutequipment. To move into thefuture, the company not onlywanted to improve the qualityand reduce lead times of thetooling they produce, but also toreduce the labor cost componentinvolved in the construction andrepair processes.
Working with their local Agie rep-resentative, the evaluationprocess began with an in-depthanalysis of the entire EDM opera-tion. A program was developedthat included four major ele-ments, along with goals andbenchmarks established by ateam of employees at Kenmodeto track the success of each ofthe four phases.
Kenmode Tool & Engineering, Inc.
Phase 1: Evaluate individualneeds and provide advancedtraining for all of the toolmakersresponsible for the operation ofKenmode’s EDM systems. Agieassisted with the development ofa training program that wasdesigned to meet the specificneeds of the Kenmode staff.
Phase 2: Upgrade the milling-based CAM programming systemto a CAM package that isdesigned to complement today’shigh-performance wire EDM sys-tems. CAMTEK PEPS was thesystem selected to help improvethe company’s programmingcapabilities.
H8458 8/25/06 8:22 PM Page 22
23AGIE experience
NORTH AMERICA 2006
We would like to thank KenmodeTool & Engineering, Inc., espe-cially Kurt Moders, President andRobert J. Lackowski, VicePresident of Sales andEngineering, and Mike Haber,Manufacturing Manager, as wellas William Raye and DavidCarrizales, Representatives ofHitech Machinery Sales, Inc. fortheir kind support and friendlyco-operation with this report.
Responsible
Sales Engineer:
Bill Raye,
Hitech Machinery Sales
Phase 3: Enhance the capabili-ties of the existing Agievisionwire systems to facilitateupgrades such as Agiesetup 3Dand software options such asUsersequence.
Phase 4: Finally, integrateKenmode’s new AgiecutProgress 3 with a System 3RWorkmaster automation systemwith palletized workpiece han-dling. This system maximizes theunattended operation of the Agieequipment and allows Kenmodeto routinely run 100 EDM manu-facturing hours per week with asingle work shift.
By partnering with Agie in thisextensive process, Kenmode wasconfident that the promised ben-efits of their new AgiecutProgress would be realized inday-to-day operation.Furthermore, by including otherAgievision wire systems in theevaluation and training process,Kenmode and Agie were able toenhance the operation of theentire department while creatinga new level of confidence andenthusiasm among the com-pany’s EDM staff.
H8458 8/25/06 8:22 PM Page 23
24AGIE experienceNORTH AMERICA 2006
Pennco Tool & Die Inc.
Country USA
Production Custom machining of carbide & steel dies, molds and spare tooling for:- electronic- medical and- automotive industries
Target market International
Employees 28
Founded 1980
EDM systems 1 Agiecut Progress 21 Agie Evolution 23 Agiecut 150 HSS
Programming - Peps from Camtek- Mecanic
Clamping systems - Mecatool- presetting stations (horizontal and horizontal/vertical)
Measuring, testing - J & L PC-14A Optical Comparators4 Digital, 3 Quadra-Check
- Sets starrett Grade A Cro-Blox- Sets Mitutoyo Ceramic Blocks- Complete Gauge Pin Sets- Starrett 18" X 24" Surface Plates- Mitutoyo Toolmakers Microscopes- Starrett Digi-Check Height Gauges
Pennco Tool & Die occupies a modern,
fully staffed facility of 12,500 square feet.
The present home was built to their
specifications in 1988, and designed to
efficiently house their production equip-
ment and office staff. Pennco expanded
their facility in 1998 to include a Wire
EDM department. President Philip A.
Passilla and Vice President Philip W.
Passilla look forward to serving your
tooling and machining needs.
Pennco Tool & Die Inc.
99 Mead Ave.
Meadville PA. 16335
USA
Phone 814-336-5035
Fax 814-336-5036
www.penncotool.com
Contact - Phil Passilla, President- Phil Passilla Jr., Vice President
H8458 8/25/06 8:22 PM Page 24
Wire cutting is the cutting edgeof precision tooling
25AGIE experience
NORTH AMERICA 2006
Pennco utilizes three generations
of Agie wire-cut equipment,
running around the clock with
only one manned shift.
Supplier of high precision Pennco Tool & Die, Inc. wasfounded in 1980 and is located in the heart of the tool & die capital of the USA, Meadville,Pennsylvania. Specializing inclose tolerance form grindingand Wire EDM of both carbideand steel, they maintain a highlyskilled work force of JourneymenTool and Die makers and addi-tional support staff capable ofmachining carbide and steel to atolerance of ± .00005 inch.Meadville is proud of its heritageof toolmaking excellence. Thisevolved from the need for preci-sion tooling used to mass pro-duce the Talon zipper which waspioneered and successfully pro-duced in Meadville in the early1940’s. In the late forties andearly fifties, there were onlyabout a dozen shops in theMeadville area. Today there areapproximately 140 shops thatsupply and service tooling needsaround the world. Pennco is afull service facility for steel, car-bide and other machinable mate-rials. Our distinction is theprecision form grinding and WireEDM of carbide die parts. Todaywith incorporation of Wire EDM,we have created a reputation forquality, reliable service and quickturn around times. Pennco isconsidered one of the leaders intheir industry.
H8458 8/25/06 8:22 PM Page 25
26AGIE experienceNORTH AMERICA 2006
Identical, interchangeablespares for the precision stamping die industryWhether Pennco tooling findseventual application in the auto-motive, electronics, or medicalindustry, it all must meet thesame requirements. PhilPassilla, Jr., notes, «When youbuild spare tooling, they mustexactly match the originals andbe reliably interchangeable.» Thecarbide die stripper shown onpage 23 is a case in point. Part ofa 10-year development project,Pennco is the sole supplier totheir customer, using wire EDMand form grinding to produce a50 millionth inch clearancebetween punch and stripper.«Almost all of our work is closetolerance, fine finish tooling – 70percent of it in carbide,» PhilPassilla, Jr., states. We feel Agiemachines are the best for burn-ing carbide, he adds. They holdtolerances over time, minimizecobalt depletion and result in thebest straightness and dimen-sional tolerances with surfacefinishes down to 0.2 Ra (7 RMS).
A large network«With a 140-shop market tochoose from, Meadville is a bignetwork,» Phil Passilla, Jr.,explains, «and we all worktogether, whether it’s machining,plating, welding or other pro-cessing technology. This kind ofaccess helps all of us turnaround jobs very quickly, whichin turns makes us more compet-itive as individual businesses andas a group. Our Agiecut Progressis the latest example of newtechnology and its impact onPennco. It attracts the toughestjobs in the area, with other shopssending EDM work they can’thandle to us.»
Pennco Tool & Die, Inc.
H8458 8/25/06 8:22 PM Page 26
27AGIE experience
NORTH AMERICA 2006
“
”
Pennco Tool & Die, Inc. chose Agie wire machines over their
competition for several reasons. The main reason being that
Pennco’s customers require high accuracy and super fine
finishes for their carbide die tooling, which the Agie machines
deliver. Also, we have found Agie to be very dependable, offer
excellent service, and continually update their technology.
Pennco is very satisfied with the Agie products and will con-
tinue using them in the future.
Phil Passilla,
President of Pennco Tool & Die, Inc.
We would like to thank PenncoTool & Die, Inc., especially PhilPassilla, President, and his sonPhil Passilla Jr., Vice President,as well as EDM Product ManagerJim Knox of Boldt Machinery, Inc.for their kind support and friendlycooperation with this report.
Responsible
Sales Engineer:
Jim Knox,
Boldt Machinery
The tool dataDesignation Die stripper
Designation of finished product Spare tooling for the stamping industry
Material of tool Carbide
Type of wire Cobra Cut A
Number of cuts 1 main cut, 4-6 trim cuts
Precision of positioning ± 0.000040”
Roughness Ra 0.2 (7 RMS)
H8458 8/25/06 8:22 PM Page 27
28AGIE experienceNORTH AMERICA 2006
Ron Witherspoon, Inc.
Country USA
Production High-precision, intricate components for the medical and aerospace industry
Target market North America
Employees 125
Founded 1979
EDM systems 1 Agiecut Progress
1 Agiecut Excellence
1 Agiecut Vertex
Programming Calypso
Clamping systems System 3R
Measuring, testing - CNC-based Coordinate Measuring Machines from Mitutoyo, Zeiss, and Brown & Sharp
- Voyager 12x12 Optical CMM
Ron Witherspoon, Inc.
Corporate Office
380 Industrial Street
Campbell, CA 95008
USA
Tel 408-370-6620
Fax 408-370-9612
www.rwinc.com
Contact Ron Witherspoon,President, RWI
Ron Witherspoon, Inc. (RWI) specializes in
the fabrication of high precision parts and
in the development of the processes
required to fabricate them economically.
RWI has experience with a wide variety of
materials, from aluminum and stainless
steel alloys, extending to more exotic met-
als such as OFE copper, Glidcop, copper
tungsten, beryllium copper, molybdenum,
Inconel, Hasteloy X, Nimonic 90, titanium,
tantalum, niobium, tungsten (90, 95, and
99.9% pure), and barium titinate.
An Engineering and Development Company
H8458 8/25/06 8:22 PM Page 28
When «small» isn’t smallenough
29AGIE experience
NORTH AMERICA 2006
A California career in Engineering and developmentRon Witherspoon, Inc. is a text-book example of the evolution ofsmall businesses in California’sSilicon Valley. Started in Mr.Witherspoon’s garage over 20years ago, RWI has grown toemploy 125 people in two manu-facturing facilities, which todayoccupy over 100,000 square feet.RWI’s focus, from its beginning,has been on high precision fabri-cation. Early on, the companywas involved with the fabricationof computer disk manufacturingequipment and test fixtures. More recently, RWI has focusedon the manufacture of parts andassemblies for the medical andbiomedical, semiconductor,aerospace, energy, microwave,and telecommunications indus-tries. RWI has done many highprecision chassis and microwavehorns for satellite applications,as well as tight tolerance moldsand parts for the medical industry.
RWI offers complete fabrication ser-
vices. RWI perform virtually all machine
work in their own shops, including
milling (vertical, horizontal, and 5-axis),
turning (manual lathe, CNC lathe,
mill/turn, and screw machines), jig
boring, laser welding, sinker EDM, and
last but not least wire EDM with a
Agiecut Vertex, (with wire as fine as
0.0008" diameter).
All work flowing through the shop is
tracked on a computer network with a
shop management software package
(Visual Manufacturing) which supports
both job tracking and scheduling and
increases RWI’s QA/QC effectiveness.
RWI emphasizes the fabrication of parts
exactly to the customer's specifications.
To ensure that RWI accomplishes this,
they have seven full-time inspectors
who utilize Mitutoyo, Zeiss, and Brown &
Sharp CNC-based Coordinate Measuring
Machines, as well as a series of optical
measuring instruments to inspect and
monitor all of our products. In addition,
RWI has a Voyager 12x12 Optical CMM
available for non-contact, high accuracy
inspection. This CMM gives RWI inspec-
tors a state-of-the art inspection capa-
bility, with a 0.16 micron accuracy.
H8458 8/25/06 8:22 PM Page 29
30AGIE experienceNORTH AMERICA 2006
The advance into micron dimensionsAs one might expect, especiallyin Silicon Valley, the expectationsof designers and engineers inmany industries have followedthe size reductions that havebeen achieved in much of thesemiconductor industry. As aresult, many projects RWI workson now involve not only tightertolerances, but also muchsmaller parts. In some cases, thefeatures on these parts can be inthe 20-50 micron range!
Although RWI is one of thelargest EDM shops on the West Coast of the US, the companyalso has significant capabilitiesin vertical, horizontal, and 5-axismilling, turning and mill/turncombinations, screw machining,grinding, and laser welding. Mr.Witherspoon wanted to provide a«one stop» fabrication facility forhis customers. Current capabili-ties include turning to 0.0001”tolerance, micro-milling withendmills as small as 0.004” indiameter, and fine wire EDMusing wire as small as 20microns in diameter.
The word impossible doesn’t existMr. Witherspoon and his employ-ees relish the challenges thecompany’s customers give them.They like nothing better thanwhen a new customer walks inthe front door with a set of draw-ings and says «I’ve been all overthe Valley, and everyone says thiscan’t be made!»
RWI initially developed the capa-bility to fabricate extremely smallparts by modifying an Agiecut150. RWI personnel were able tomodify the feed and take-upwheels of the machine so that itwould cut with 20 micron diame-ter tungsten wire. Although themodified Agiecut worked well,variations in the tensile strengthof the wire made it difficult to
Ron Witherspoon, Inc.
keep the wire tight, and this lim-ited the length of the cut theAgiecut 150 could make.Consequently, when the AgiecutVertex came out, RWI saw animmediate opportunity and pur-chased one of the new machines.The company is now using theAgiecut Vertex with 0.008”, 0.002”and 0.004” diameter wires to fab-ricate miniature parts for manycustomers, both old and new.
Machining micro waves is thenew challengeOne of the most interesting pro-jects RWI is working on currentlyis the development of terahertzwave structures for medical andsecurity applications. Thesestructures are unique, as theyrequire both fabrication accura-cies and tolerances in the severalmicron range. One of the struc-tures RWI is currently manufac-turing for a customer hashundreds of features that mea-sure only 20 by 40 microns by 150microns high, and which are sep-
arated by distances of only 30microns. This device also has a30 by 300 micron waveguide thatpasses all the way through the 2 mm thickness of the part. The part is fabricated through acombination of conventionalmachining (to prepare theblanks), followed by fine-wireEDM, diffusion bonding, andmore fine-wire EDM.
Once these parts have been fab-ricated, however, there is still thematter of how to inspect them toinsure they meet customer spec-ifications. In many cases, RWI’scustomers do not have inspec-tion equipment that allows themto inspect their own miniatureparts, and the only way they candetermine if the parts are fabri-cated correctly is to put theminto assemblies which are thentested. The performance of theseassemblies is then used to gaugethe accuracy with which theparts were fabricated. This is acostly way, both in terms of timeand money, to verify that partswere fabricated accurately. Tohelp its customers with theirinspection requirements andreduce the time and cost associ-ated with verifying that the partswere fabricated accurately, RWIpurchased a non-contact, opti-cal, coordinate measuringmachine with custom calibration.This custom calibration providesRWI with the capability to mea-sure parts with a precision of0.16 microns, thus allowing thecompany to easily monitor theaccuracy of the miniature parts itfabricates.
In the future, RWI expects to seemore and more of its customersdeveloping products that willrequire the fabrication of minia-ture parts. As this occurs, RWIplans to accommodate its cus-tomers by purchasing moremachine tools with the capabili-ties for fabricating such parts,like the Agiecut Vertex.
Comparison of useable wire diameters onthe ED wire-cutting machine AgiecutVertex between «normal machining» (left)and «fine-wire machining» (right).
H8458 8/28/06 1:58 PM Page 30
The workpiece dataName Terahertz wave structures
Material OFE copper
Cutting height 150 µm
Wire type Tungsten 20 µm diameter
31AGIE experience
NORTH AMERICA 2006
We would like to thank Steven H.Schwartzkopf, Administrator ofRWI, as well as John Servin,President of Henry Servin &Sons, Inc. for their kind supportand co-operation with this report.
Responsible
Sales Engineer:
Don McMillan,
Agie Ltd.
“
”
The Agiecut Vertex Wire EDM machine opened up for us new
possibilities in the production of the smallest parts for the
electronics and medical industries. The Vertex’s precision and
self-threading of fine wire have enabled RWI to produce struc-
tures that would have been impossible to fabricate otherwise.
Steven H. Schwartzkopf, Ph.D.,
Administrator
Ron Witherspoon, Inc.
The terahertz wave structures are
machined with a Agiecut Vertex
(enlargement).
The 3D drawing shows the small
slots to realize with Wire EDM in
micro dimensions.
The workpiece with the wire-cut
terahertz wave structures needs a
special fixture.
H8458 8/25/06 8:22 PM Page 31
AllTech Precision Inc.28310 Avenue Crocker Suite EValencia, California 91355phone 661.295.1646www.AllTechPrecision.com
Anderson Global500 W. Sherman Blvd.Muskegon Heights, Michigan 49444phone 231.733.2164www.andersonglobal.com
Die Technology, Inc.8820 Jefferson Highway Osseo, Minnesota 55369phone 763.424.9677www.dietechnology.com
Agie Ltd.575 Bond StreetLincolnshire, Illinois 60069phone 800.438.5021www.agieus.com
Engineering Techniques, Inc.3751-A Charter Park CourtSan José, California 95136phone 408.267.4000
Kenmode Tool & Engineering, Inc.820 West Algonquin RoadAlgonquin, Illinois 60102phone 847.658.5041www.kenmode.com
Pennco Tool & Die Inc.99 Mead AvenueMeadville, Pennsylvania 16335phone 814.336.5035www.penncotool.com
Ron Witherspoon, Inc.380 Industrial StreetCampbell, California 95008phone 408.370.6620www.rwinc.com
H8458 8/25/06 8:22 PM Page 32
