Leighton Buzzard-based RST Engineering (www.rsteng.co.uk) has invested in a second Sodick AG60L die-sink EDM machine to help keep pace with demand, following a recent move to a facility more than twice the size of its previous premises.

Installed earlier this year by Coventry-based Sodi-Tech EDM (www.sodi-techedm.co.uk), the AG60L is now working side-by-side with the first machine, producing a host of complex parts such as titanium internal gears and splines for the motor-sport industry.

RST Engineering was established by Robert and Maureen Taylor in 1986 and is now run by their sons Sean, Jason and Paul. Jason Taylor said: “We have had Sodick wire EDMs in the business since 1998, but we’ve only had Sodick die-sink machines since 2012, when we bought our first AG60L.

“It was so reliable in terms of performance and quality that, when we needed more capacity, there was only ever going to be one choice.”

The second Sodick AG60L helps RST to make a myriad of complex motor-sport parts from challenging materials such as titanium, as well as tungsten carbide components for other industries.

“There are some peaks and troughs with motor-sport, but generally the work is fairly continuous. We spark a lot of internal gears and splines for Formula One and other racing disciplines.

“It’s all low-batch high-precision work. Tolerances of 10µm on form are normal when it comes to internal splines and gears, but the Sodick machines hold that very consistently.”

A 24-tooth motor-sport spline might take around 4.5hr to produce, and RST prefers to run many of its long jobs unmanned overnight.

With this thought in mind, the sole upgrade requested by RST for its new AG60L was the option of a 12-station tool changer, rather than the standard six-station version.