Thread: EDM 23" long key

I have to quote putting a key in the ID of a multi step shaft. The OD on the shaft is 13 3/4 and the ID is 6.5. the length is 22.325 long. Material is 4140. We are located in Virginia. I have found one compant that is willing to quote the job. If any of you would like to quote this job please PM me.


Thank you!

You are lucky to have found one company willing to quote assuming they are planning to put it in via WEDM and assuming you are talking about inches.
There are only a few machines in the country with that kind of Z height.
Most of those are NOT job shops and bought those machines for their specific applications...

You may want to call Todd at Ona.
I believe they make a machine with that Z height standard.
He may be able to direct you to a job shop.
I also believe there is one guy who runs through this sight with that kind of Z height.
Maybe he'll pass through...???
I'll see if I can find some of his old posts.

Jay

Do you mean a key slot? If so, ask around for someone with a 24" or bigger shaper. That would be a straightforward shaper job.

Regards.

Mike

Could be done fairly easily on a good CNC sinker. I would lay the pipe down and sink a 24" long blade trode to depth. It could be held at each side of the open pipe... It would just suck to make a fixture to hold the electrode to do one job. If there were several pieces, make nice electrode holder to hold a 24" x 3" x whatever thickness trode and slide your blank in and go. It would be gravy. We will work with 18+" long electrodes fairly often without issue. Its all setup, as always...

On the left coast: Swiss Wire E.D.M.

I think Edm Wirecraft in Indiana can do that. You can google them for there number if interested.Later Jason.

Originally Posted by SteveEx30

Could be done fairly easily on a good CNC sinker. I would lay the pipe down and sink a 24" long blade trode to depth. It could be held at each side of the open pipe... It would just suck to make a fixture to hold the electrode to do one job. If there were several pieces, make nice electrode holder to hold a 24" x 3" x whatever thickness trode and slide your blank in and go. It would be gravy. We will work with 18+" long electrodes fairly often without issue. Its all setup, as always...

I'd think that sinking the slot would be more feasible that wire cutting in this instance, but that's just my guess. Could the electrode still be set up for through-flushing in this instance, or would the flushing have to be delivered via nozzles from outside the cut?

Originally Posted by toolmaker35

I'd think that sinking the slot would be more feasible that wire cutting in this instance, but that's just my guess. Could the electrode still be set up for through-flushing in this instance, or would the flushing have to be delivered via nozzles from outside the cut?

Yeah I agree totally. I wouldnt dream of wiring that. Don't let the size fool ya, I dont believe it to be that aweful. And yeah I would either run a main line through the carbon with some small .030" flush holes (just like a sprinkler) or if your lazy you could just run some plastic lines atop the carbon inside the setup with some flex loc spray nozzles.. Again if this was more than a 1 shot deal I would invest the time and get a great setup.

Originally Posted by SteveEx30

Yeah I agree totally. I wouldnt dream of wiring that. Don't let the size fool ya, I dont believe it to be that aweful. And yeah I would either run a main line through the carbon with some small .030" flush holes (just like a sprinkler) or if your lazy you could just run some plastic lines atop the carbon inside the setup with some flex loc spray nozzles.. Again if this was more than a 1 shot deal I would invest the time and get a great setup.

I you have the Z travel, you could also hold the part vertially and spark out in the x or y axis, you wouldn't need to flush then.

Wexco does have and EDM that will Reach 24" on the Z axis and for a mere 3500 the will key it. Also found a Wisconsin company willing to EDM it for 950.00. So I do have a few outs. I would like someone to quote keying in a non EDM. But not having very good luck. I will contact the leads you all have givin me and see what they have to say, I will keep you posted!

Thanks!

Originally Posted by Jay Cee

You are lucky to have found one company willing to quote assuming they are planning to put it in via WEDM and assuming you are talking about inches.
There are only a few machines in the country with that kind of Z height.
Most of those are NOT job shops and bought those machines for their specific applications...

You may want to call Todd at Ona.
I believe they make a machine with that Z height standard.
He may be able to direct you to a job shop.
I also believe there is one guy who runs through this sight with that kind of Z height.
Maybe he'll pass through...???
I'll see if I can find some of his old posts.

Jay

Thanks Jay!

Looks like I will be broaching this bad boy with VW Broaching of chicago, ill. They only wanted $375 to do it!

Thank you all for your input!

Originally Posted by Matt_W

I you have the Z travel, you could also hold the part vertially and spark out in the x or y axis, you wouldn't need to flush then.

Yes a side burn would work but definitely not as quick as a z burn. Definitly get deflection over that distance. And u would Forsure still want flushing. When do u ever not want it right....

Originally Posted by SteveEx30

Yes a side burn would work but definitely not as quick as a z burn. Definitly get deflection over that distance. And u would Forsure still want flushing. When do u ever not want it right....

I've produced keyways nearly that length by sparking out in laterally, had no problems with deflection and not had to use flushing. the results were right! All depends on the machine your using...