Mitsubishi sparks productivity gains for Go Tools

GO TOOLS is a specialist manufacturer of precision diecast dies and injection mould tools for a multitude of industry sectors. With an unwavering commitment to quality and service, the company has invested in high-end machine tools from

With a range of machine tools from multiple vendors on the production shop floor, the Rotherham-based company found that some of its machines were ageing, lacking the desired precision, repeatability and reliability levels. This situation created bottlenecks and led the firm to turn to the Engineering Technology Group (ETG). 

Replacing an ageing EDM machine 

One point of concern was an ageing EDM machine. "Our old EDM machine had inconsistent cut quality and poor precision levels that made us rely on the expertise of our staff to retain tolerance and surface finish requirements," recalled Go Tools’ technical director Steve Barrowcliff. "As an old machine, it was also unreliable and a potential concern due to the amount of EDM work going through the shop floor. We investigated the market and the Mitsubishi MV1200R wire EDM was the perfect fit for our business. 

"The programming platform of the Mitsubishi EDM was 10 times better, as was the accuracy and the speed of cutting. Simultaneously, we needed a spark erosion EDM, so we also invested in the OPS Ingersoll Gantry Eagle 400 - both machines were the result of the technical expertise and support from Scott Elsmere of ETG."

Improving productivity, reliability and quality

This first delve into Mitsubishi EDM technology proved a resounding success with productivity, reliability and quality improving significantly. So, when the company found its Mitsubishi MV1200R EDM at capacity some years later - the company naturally went out and bought another machine. "We bought our first Mitsubishi EDM machine eight years ago and its performance and reliability during that period have been exemplary," Barrowcliff continued. 

"With the machine running 12-14 hours a day, 5 days a week, we recognised that we needed another machine. This was to support our increasing workload with other members of the Gripple Group of companies, of which Go Tools is a part. The addition would also assist our growth in the medical device industry."

Increasing cycle times 

"We were struggling to keep up with demand and our existing Mitsubishi MV1200R was at capacity. Our first Mitsubishi MV1200R improved our cycle times by more than 50% and the precision levels and surface finishes were impeccable, so when it came to buying a second machine, we didn’t need to look anywhere else," he stated. 

The Mitsubishi MV1200R is equipped with linear shaft motors and next-generation drive technology that incorporates Mitsubishi’s optical drive system (ODS) that enables the machine to achieve a circular accuracy within 1µm. Additionally, the machine is equipped with automated wire threading. Thanks to a new annealing system, wire threading is greatly improved with a curl ratio of less than 10%. From a productivity perspective, surface finish improvements are realised through enhanced power supply performance for high-speed machining, and this reduces cycle times by machining 50% faster with only two cuts.  

Martin Doyle is group managing director at ETG UK and Ireland

For more information:

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Tel: 01926 818418