Oki Electric Cable Introduces New Wire for Wire-type Electrical Discharge Machine (EDM) to Achieve 30% Faster Cutting Speed

Conventionally, heat diffusion wires are used to improve the cutting speed of Wire-type EDM. However, the complex structure of heat diffusion wires makes them more costly than brass wires. To address this cost issue, Oki Electric Cable uses a brass core covered with a zinc-rich brass layer, to which it applies a zinc layer and a thin special coating layer, forming a four-layer structure. This unique structure and innovative manufacturing methods allow Oki Electric Cable to offer the OS-UZ Wire at prices lower than that of conventional heat diffusion wires.

OS-UZ Wire improves rough-cut speed by around 30% over conventional brass wires. At the same time, it offers improved positioning accuracy and smooth cut surface of work-pieces. The special coating helps protect against corrosion and improves its shelf-life, while an innovative newly-developed wire drawing technique results in less metal powder adhesion problem(*4) compared to conventional brass wires.

We are excited with the development of OS-UZ Wire, this new wire allows the user not just to increase productivity, but to reduce wire consumption, said Takashi Hattori, President of Oki Electric Cable. The faster processing achieved with the OS-UZ Wire also cuts EDM operation costs, including electricity, operation time dependent consumables and material cost.

Oki Electric Cable plans to market the OS-UZ Wire from April 2010 primarily in the US, where demand for high-speed metal parts processing is high, and in China, where the die & mold industry, in which cost-cutting is needed, is rapidly expanding. In October 2010, the company will introduce the OS-UZ Wire to markets around the world. The shipping target for fiscal 2010 is 150 tons. The company eventually plans to increase the volume to 500 tons / year .

Oki Electric Cable will continue to develop and supply high-value-added wire for EDM to meet the need for higher productivity and shorter delivery periods of customers in the metal parts industries and die & mold industries.