Makino Introduces DUO Series of Wire EDMs

Makino’s next-generation wire EDMs, the DUO series, provide enhanced performance, accuracy, speed, ease of operation, and maintenance with features such as dual wire guide options, DuoSpark generator, dual anchored ball screws, and dual high pressure flush pumps.

The DUO series features two models, the DUO43 and DUO64. Both models feature a 20% reduction in footprint size compared to their Makino SP-series counterparts. The sizes for the DUO43 and 64 are 74.8” x 102.3” and 82.7” x 122” with X-, Y-, and Z-axis travels of 17.7”, 12.0”, 12.6” and 25.6”, 15.7”, 16.5” respectively. The DUO43 will accommodate a maximum workpiece size of 27.9” x 22.0” x 11.8” with a payload of 1764 lb, while the DUO64 holds sizes up to 35.8” x 26.0” x 15.7” with a maximum payload of 2,200 lb. This series was designed to provide a smaller footprint and ease of installation, without sacrificing work area.

Dual Use Operation (DUO)
The DUO series features dual wire guide options, allowing the user to choose either V-guide or PICO Precision (round) wire guides.  Whether the application is small hole threading, threading small holes in close proximity, maintaining land accuracy in contoured stamping dies, cutting tapers up to 45%, or general WEDM job shop work, Makino is the only WEDM builder that provides a guide solution to every WEDM application. This option provides split precision guides for most general work including high tapers, and PICO precision guides for accurate threading of small holes in close proximity, highly accurate tapers and taper transitions up to 10%, and maintaining variable height land details.

Makino's patented DuoSpark generator uses a two-step, adjustable discharge waveform that provides greater control over the machining spark gap. This technology improves energizer life, increases cutting speeds by up to 30%, and reduces wire consumption by as much as 40% compared with previous technologies. With a choice of Split Precision or PICO Precision wire guides, this added performance can be realized in nearly every EDM application.

The series’ dual high-pressure flush pumps provide independent control of upper and lower head flushing jets. The pumps can provide pressure up to 290psi to improve roughing speeds and aid in producing superior surface finishes. By circulating through two pumps, one for each machine head, the DUO is able to improve efficiency over wire EDMs containing only a single pump, reduce mechanical failures, and achieve finer finishes. The pumps are independently controlled and monitored through the controller, allowing faster adaptation to changes during machining operations and providing higher quality parts in shorter cycle times. This design provides its greatest advantages during detached nozzle applications (poor flush), and further improves the performance of Makino's HEAT technology. 

With dual anchored ball screws, the DUO series provides a rigid construction for long-term sustained accuracy and precision. Backed up by a 10 year/20,000 hour ball screw guarantee, the DUO Series is built for long term repeatability and reliability.

Other dual features include dual work tank doors to accommodate loading of large workpieces and work area access without draining and refilling the work tank, dual feedback to assure accuracy and repeatability of movement and positioning over a long period of time, unsubmerged dual filter banks with automatic water evacuation, dual control operation that allows use of either the mouse and keyboard or the full function remote hand box, and dual head protect functions for crash protection capability to help reduce or eliminate damage caused by unexpected collisions.

Improvements in design provide ease of operation and maintenance for operators. New features to the design include an air actuated access door for easy access to the work zone. The work tank opening has been widened and the knee plate removed to provide extended operating space. Improved maintenance features include centralized manual greasing points and external filter casing for easier filter cleaning.