Old Wire EDM

[glbreil]

I have an opportunity to purchase a 1986 Leblond Edm that is in working condition. I have a 1997 centroid control on a mill and am comfortable using it.

I think this is is probably a tape drive. What kind of problems am I about to encounter and are thay cheap ways to overcome them.

Also any thoughts about the leblond edms. I want to set it up to make 1 paticular cut over and over. Of course I am sure that once you have one working you can dream up lots of other uses.

Also any idea on start up cost, filters dielectric fluid etc.

I have zero experience with wire edm.

Thanks Gary

[Helix60]

Would this be a LeBond Makino? Wire EDM maybe one of the EC series with a MWG control? If so you should find it pretty easy to run. I have one here in my shop that with a bit of TLC is running perfectly and accuratly.

Regards,
Heli

[glbreil]

It is a Leblond Makino EC series, but the control is an MCW II and I have not been able to find any information about it anywhere.

Any idea on how much it would cost to get one ready to run. Filters, Dielectric fluid, etc.

[Helix60]

Originally Posted by glbreil It is a Leblond Makino EC series, but the control is an MCW II and I have not been able to find any information about it anywhere. Any idea on how much it would cost to get one ready to run. Filters, Dielectric fluid, etc.

Filters are available on Ebay, Last I saw about $30 each. Sodick uses the same filtters. You will need two per filter tank.

Dielectric fluid is just clean water run through your DI resin tank. Resin is also available on Ebay.

Other sources you can find on the web. Do a search for "edm supplies", you'll find a bunch.

Cost wise figure about $400 minimum, which should include some wire. Makino's guides are not Cheap. About $1000 a set but they last 10 times longer than most others. You may also need new Carbide Power Contactors. Not sure on the price due to differnt types.

Regards,
Heli

[donnelson]

i have a ec 7050 machine the same year it has a rs232 input that we use to load programs from a pc i have a mastercam post for it the machine is good but is slow and is hard to start cuts from the edges if it is thick material i try to always use a start hole to keep the flush from blasting off the edge of the part

[Paul Deady]

I also have a EC3025 with MGN10W.
I use two different technology tables. 1 to start wire then switch to a higher setting after 5-7mm. This seems to work OK for me.
I cut a lot of hardened Tool Steels.