The new
Excetek NP Plus series of advanced CNC wire EDM machines, supplied exclusively by Worcestershire-based
Warwick Machine Tools, offers a giant ‘green leap forward’ for machine shops and engineering businesses. Equipped with high precision linear motors and an extremely efficient generator developed to cut energy consumption to the bare minimum, each model in the NP Plus range provides key business benefits.
With the launch of the new series of machines, the company is combining the very latest technology to offer machine shops a substantial case for investment. Fitted with high precision linear motors, a ‘Green Sparking’ generator, low energy pumps and a new efficient water chiller based on advanced inverter technology, the NP Plus series not only reduces energy consumption but also cuts significantly quicker.
The Green Sparking generator runs through an energy saving discharge circuit. By incorporating a sink energy recovery system – that recovers energy (in a similar way to energy recovery on F1 racing cars), coupled with high-speed discharge pulses, this innovative circuit not only increases machining speed by up to 25%, but along with the other energy efficient features on the machine reduces overall power consumption by up to 35%.
Fine surface finishMeanwhile, an ECO Mode optimises fine-finishing-discharge performance by reducing the number of machining passes required compared to previous models, resulting in improved surface accuracy. It also features automatic compensation for brass wire wear, helping to minimise wire consumption. The new generator achieves a fine surface finish of Ra 0.5 in three cuts and Ra 0.3 in five cuts compared to a finish of Ra 0.7 and Ra 0.35 for the same number of cuts using the previous generator. Additionally, peripheral systems such as the chiller used for the die electric fluid and linear motors, are intelligently controlled to operate only when needed, further lowering overall energy usage.
Paul Barry, Warwick Machine Tools’ technical manager, said: “The combined power saving is impressive. A 35% reduction in energy consumed adds up, over a year it represents an annual carbon emissions reduction of 4,310kg and electricity saving of almost 9,000kW/h. With current prices at nearly 30p per kW/h the savings quickly make a strong case for businesses looking to invest in ‘green technology’ that provides real world benefits.”
The new Excetek NP Plus series CNC wire EDM machines can be seen in action at Warwick Machine Tools showroom. Simply contact the company to book a demonstration and find out how your business can go ‘green’ while also saving you money. The figures in this article are based on EXCETEK's internal processing data.