Quest For Strategic Investment

The Engineering Quest, a family-owned precision engineering firm founded in the 1970s, hasmade a significant investment in advanced manufacturing by acquiring a SodickALC400GWire EDM machine with state-of-the-art micro wire capabilities.  This move is more than asimple equipment upgrade; it demonstrates how forward-thinking manufacturers areresponding to the evolving demands of high-precision industries, particularlymedical device production.

The decision was driven by surging demand for micro-machined medical components. WillSharpe of The Engineering Quest explains: “Over 20 years ago, our customer handcraftedNHS surgical instruments for eye surgery, producing just one or two a day.  A change inlegislation made these instruments disposable, immediately increasing production demand.We offered a wire EDM solution that could raise output to 250 instruments a week.”

Operating several EDM machines at its Milton Keynesfacility, Engineering Quest now meetsproduction requirements for over 400 instrument variants, with batch sizes from 10 to 1,000.Will adds: “These instruments are for eye surgery, often at the back of the eye.  They must beextremely small, clean, and cost-effective, yet we must meet the surge in demand,particularly over the past two years. The parts are now exported globally, including Japan,Asia, Africa, and the US.”

After a thorough market review, Engineering Quest selected the Sodick ALC400G fromSodi-Tech UK. The machine features rigid linear motor drives across all axes, absolute linearscales, and Sodick’s 10-year positioning guarantee. Crucially, its micro wire functionalitysupports diameters as fine as 0.03mm, enabling the micron-level tolerances required formedical instruments.

Mark Palmer explains: “These are intricate components for microsurgery. The 0.03mm wireallows us to produce highly precise features impossible with conventional methods.”

Rather than purchasing a standard machine, Engineering Quest collaborated closely withSodick to develop a customised solution. Will Sharpe reflects: “Sodi-Tech were very helpfulfrom the outset. We discussed our challenges and requirements in detail, and they werereceptive to everything we asked.” Richard Bailey of Sodi-Tech adds: “This machine wasdeveloped specifically for Quest. We incorporated 30-micron wire capabilities and madeslight modifications to optimise performance for their components.”

Configured to use water-based dielectric fluid, themachine meets strict cleanliness standardsrequired for surgical instruments.  It also features Sodick’s Smart Pulse Wire control system, a19-inch multi-touch interface, and Intelligent Q³vic EDW technology, allowing automaticprogramming from 3D CAD files.

The implementation has transformed production, enabling up to 500 components per weekwhile maintaining precision. Will Sharpe concludes: “With ongoing learning and plans forautomated re-fixturing, we aim for around-the-clock production. Partnering withSodi-Tech,we can innovate continually, delivering complex designs at competitive prices.