What is EDM?

Electrical discharge machining

Electrical discharge machining (EDM) uses electrical discharge to remove material from blocks of metal and is also known as electro-discharge erosion.  

The basic process is really quite simple and can be very useful when considering different manufacturing methods for your design project.  

An electrical spark between the electrode and metal is created

Due to the electricity flow the spark generates heat up to 8000 – 12000 degrees Celsius (damn hot).  The spark however is very skillfully controlled and makes sure to only alter the very surface of the part.  Because of this the composition of the material below the surface is not affected by the heat.  

Wire EDM is another variation which is conducted while submerged in purified water (deionized). The water’s conductivity makes for a great dielectric environment for EDM.  The purified water also works as a coolant and helps erode irregularities in the material.

For more information and all your EDM needs the team at ALNO are happy to help.

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CNC Machining | CNC Turning | General Machining

Component Machining | EDM Machining

Precision Machining | ALNO CNC Machining

Tips to getting the right product finish

Turning Tools

Machinists utilize their skills and expertise to produce the most aesthetically pleasing and accurate components possible.  They take pride in their work as do their clients.  A good surface finish and the general look of parts are very important aspects which require the most ideal machining practices to be used.  So how do machinists get the results they want? The following is by no means extensive but it give a little insight:

Use an insert with a wiper

If you can, make sure your manufacturer uses an insert with a wiper.  These have a flat section like the second image in the diagram above.  This flat part ensures that the surface is wiped smooth as the tool moves across the outside of the part.  You can also avoid a finish that has thread elements to it.

Increase the speed

When using cutting tools a rise in the speed of the tool will make sure that your part is touching the tip of the tool for a smaller time period.  This minimizes the material build-up on the end of the tool which can in turn make the surface finish less than ideal. 

Reduce pauses

When a tool stops while it is still touching the surface it can leave a mark on the part.  If you make sure to minimize the number of pauses and hesitations of your tool you can ensure a better surface finish.  You may need to change the entire manufacturing procedure.

For more information please 

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CNC Machining | CNC Turning | General Machining

Component Machining | EDM Machining

Precision Machining | ALNO CNC Machining

 

Manufacturers among BRW’s 50 Most Innovative Companies

Manufacturers among BRW’s 50 Most Innovative Companies

First place may have gone to software provider Xero, but manufacturers featured prominently amongst this year’s list of BRW’s 50 Most Innovative Companies.

Xero, a company which provides payroll software that allows small businesses to manage their payroll from anywhere was named most innovative, but no less than eight companies from the manufacturing category made the top 50.

These included: E-Bisprint, Hills, Coca-Cola Amatil, PernodRicard Winemakers, Keech Australia, Orora Group, Pact Group, Birch & Waite Foods.

The list also included mobile phone-based shark alerts, hard-hat-mounted health monitors, waste-saving high-rise building systems and technology to protect embryos during IVF processes.

The team ALNO Product Services assist all types of manufactures across Australia with CNC Machining and high quality toolmaking and tool making process.

So if your an Australian Manufacturer looking for CNC machining or high quality Toolmaking.

Contact ALNO Today

 

CNC Machining | CNC Turning | General Machining

Component Machining | EDM Machining

Precision Machining | ALNO CNC Machining

     

Component Machining

ALNO Product Services is a Central Coast based engineering component manufacturing company that was established in 1988.

Our team offers a range of component machining services which include:

• Component Machining – Turning – Milling – Grinding - EDM
• German Tool Steel - Press Tools
• Japanese Tool Steel – Mould Tools
• Australian Aluminium - Extrusion dies
• Tool Steel Jigs and Fixtures
• Both Soft and Hard tooling

In general terms ALNO Product Services offer the following solutions:

• Component Manufacture
• Reverse Engineering
• Product Design – Industrial Design
• Prototype Production

Our Team can over engineer to ensure that you component exceed expectations in terms of desired engineering outcomes

ALNO will stretch your engineering dollar future without reducing

Whether you want 1 or 1000 components machined, ALNO is able to provide you with a quick turn around and a quality product.

Whether you require CNC milling, CNC Turning, EDM, wire cutting, we can help you produce the part you want.

Component machining at ALNO Product Services is offered in a wide range of materials including:

• Stainless Steel
• Mild Steel
• Tool Steels
• Aluminum
• Brass
• Bronze
• Plastics
• Ceramics

Whatever your component machining requirements be it from prototypes to full scale productions runs the team at ALNO offers a first class service.

Our commitment TQM total quality management suggests we engage polices of continuous improvement and reduction of waste. The ALNO TQM management policy focuses on the following:

1. Leadership
2. Strategic planning
3. Customer focus
4. Measurement, analysis, and knowledge management
5. Workforce focus
6. Operations focus
7. Results

Furthermore the both stake holders and Shareholders are committed to continual investment in Australian Manufacturing.

We are proud to offer the latest technology ensuring that we are able to supply parts to the highest quality whilst remaining competitive with our pricing.

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CNC Machining | CNC Turning | General Machining

Component Machining | EDM Machining

Precision Machining | ALNO CNC Machining

 

Jobs seem to be disappearing....

This is one way to stop the boats

 

Union fears for 1,000 ship building jobs

Support us and support 200,000 jobs: Toyota, Holden and Ford to government

Rio cut 40 jobs at coal mine 

Coates cuts 75 jobs

 

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CNC Machining | CNC Turning | General Machining

Component Machining | EDM Machining

Precision Machining | ALNO CNC Machining

 

Poor Productivity Performance - Australia

The Business Council of Australia says the tapering mining boom meant the federal government had to continue making tough long term economic decisions despite setting an election date

Council president Tony Shepherd says he hopes the setting of September 14 as an election date did not mean there would be no reform for the next seven-and-a-half months.

Multi-factor productivity should be the number one priority and the government's first task should be getting modern workplaces for the future, he said.

Workplaces had to be adapted, flexible and relevant to the digital age and Australia's engagement with Asia.

"Workplaces that are focused on improving the productivity of people but that doesn't mean less pay for more work, that just means smarter work, more flexibility, more attuned to the demands of the economy," he told ABC TV's Inside Business.

"You've got to look at the causes of the poor productivity performance of Australia and address them and those things are taxation, regulation, workplace reform, infrastructure and skills and they are the priorities.

"But everything the government does should be looked at through the prism of does this improve our productivity, particularly given the fact that a lot of our sectors are battling against a very high Australian dollar which I think we are going to have for some time."

Shepherd said the enormous investment in resources had been masking low productivity and weakness in other sectors and as the boom tapers off, productivity had to improve or there would be real problems in resources, the rest of the economy and employment.

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CNC Machining | CNC Turning | General Machining

Component Machining | EDM Machining

Precision Machining | ALNO CNC Machining

Manufacturing Index - More Shrinkage

For 11 months now the Australian Industry Group Performance of Manufacturing Index (PMI) indicated shrinkage for the industry.

The seasonally-adjusted national composite index showed a result of 40.2 for January, down from December’s 44.3. A result below 50 indicates a contraction.

Every sub-sector experienced a decline except for wood and paper products, though the contraction for every sector except petroleum, coal, chemical and rubber eased.

"The well-entrenched pressures that have been confronting the manufacturing sector for several years are being compounded by a slowing in the broader economy,” said the Ai Group CEO Innes Willox in a statement.

“The extent of the contraction is reinforced by the ongoing contractions in January of the production, employment, new orders and exports sub-indicies of the Australian PMI®”

Respondents for the PMI survey listed soft demand and the high dollar as issues. The survey also noted that input costs and wages were up for January, while selling prices were down.

Bloomberg reports that the result is a 3 1/2 –year low for the industry, with the high dollar trumping any benefit that might have been experienced from lower interest rates. The Reserve bank cut rates when it met in December, but is not expected to do so again when it convenes on February 5, according to Dow Jones Newswires.

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CNC Machining | CNC Turning | General Machining

Component Machining | EDM Machining

Precision Machining | ALNO CNC Machining