Steadfast Solutions invests in trio of Sodick SL400Q wire EDM machines

Oldbury-based precision engineering subcontractor Steadfast Solutions has replaced three ageing wire EDMs with the latest Sodick SL400Q models from Sodi-Tech EDM. The move brings the total number of Sodick machines on site to 17, having opted to concentrate on the Japanese brand since the company’s foundation in 2006.

“Replacing older machines with newer technologies has been an ongoing strategy at Steadfast from the outset,” says the company’s co-founder Gary Smith. “This continuous investment gives customers the confidence that our commitment to offering the best quality and delivery, at a competitive price, cannot be bettered elsewhere.”

Although supplying a number of different sectors, automotive clients continue to command the lion’s share of output at Steadfast Solutions. Progression press tool parts such as dies, punches and strippers are core business, as are precision components, and jigs and fixtures – all of which are produced using the new Sodick wire EDMs.

SL400Q machines allow companies such as Steadfast Solutions to capitalise on the advances of Sodick’s digital Smart Pulse generator and linear motor technology, as well as the latest HMI with 19” colour touch-screen control. The latest three machines installed at the company complement a larger capacity SL600Q that was delivered in 2014.

“The three machines have not stopped working since they arrived, including overnight and at weekends,” says Mr Smith. “We work to tolerances of 5µm in many instances and never have a problem. That level of reliability is critical to our business. We can set jobs with the confidence that they will come off to specification. At night we have cameras on the machines in case there is a stoppage, but the automatic wire threading technology is very reliable.”

The breadth of product variation at Steadfast Solutions means that the company plans its production schedules carefully to optimise operations on the new Sodick machines.

Mr Smith reports that the forward order book at the ISO9001 and AS9100-accredited company is extremely healthy, with a number of new automotive customers coming on board in recent months.

“Customer relationships are key,” states Mr Smith. “We have certain obligations to our clients, including a commitment to fast delivery, which is particularly the case in a quick-moving industry such as automotive. We’ve picked up new customers after reports they were not getting the required delivery service elsewhere. However, we can only achieve short lead times if we have the necessary technology in place. This is where the Sodick machines come into their own.”

Clearly, with so many Sodick machines already on site, the learning curve for the latest SL400Q models was extremely short.

“The biggest threat to our industry is the shortage of skills,” concludes Mr Smith. “It is difficult to find skilled CNC machinists, so we rely on factors such as our apprentice programme and machine tool ease-of-use. As a final point, another factor that helps us to combat the lack of industry skills is the support and maintenance delivered by Sodi-Tech EDM. We get really excellent service from Sodi-Tech, who ensure we have minimal machine downtime.”