Sodick wire EDM replaces two machines at Cranden Diamond

A new Sodick ALC400G CNC wire-erosion machine from Sodi-Tech EDM is performing the work of two previous machines at Cranden Diamond Products, a world-leading manufacturer of precision diamond and CBN (cubic Boron nitride) grinding wheels. Cranden is also enjoying a significant boost in precision with its new Sodick machine, helping this dynamic international business to meet the growing demands and expectations of its high-profile customers.

Trading since 1984, Kent-based Cranden Diamond Products makes precision diamond and CBN grinding wheels for a number of applications. For instance, the company produces profile wheels with tolerances of ±5µm for the creep-feed grinding of carbide inserts and tooling. Another specialism is resin/polymer bonded wheels for grinding tungsten carbide, ceramics, hardened steels and glass. Cranden Diamond Products manufactures every grinding wheel to order, exporting around 50-60% of its output.

Since the pandemic, increasing tensions in various global locations have led to an increase in defence industry work, for both aerospace and marine applications. Some of this work involves challenging composite materials.

“We’re seeing a growing number of military vehicle components made from Kevlar, for example.” reports Stuart Cleary, Operations Director at Cranden Diamond Products. “Kevlar is extremely difficult to process after moulding, so it requires grinding to final shape using either diamond or CBN wheels. To manufacture these tools, we electroplate crystal particles to very precise engineering profiles that we generate in the grinding wheel.”

Part of the manufacturing process requires the application of wire EDM. Seeking an increase in precision for this critical process, Mr Cleary researched the market for a new machine to replace one of the company’s two ageing models.

“I shortlisted two potential machines, one of which was the Sodick ALC400G,” he says. “We ultimately opted for the Sodick because Sodi-Tech EDM has an in-house team of service engineers who know the machines back-to-front. In the unlikely event of a breakdown we knew that the machine would be up and running again in 24-48 hours, not two or three weeks. Even though I’m sure we’ll hardly ever use this capability due to the reliability of Sodick machines, it was the aftersales service of Sodi-Tech that sold the ALC400G.”

Installed in July 2023, the original intention was to replace one existing EDM with the new Sodick ALC400G.

“Although we bought the machine to enhance precision, its productivity performance surprised us,” explains Mr Cleary. “We soon found it doing the work of both our previous machines. As a result, wire EDM is no longer a bottleneck – we can stay ahead of the curve and better manage our increasing workload. We’re so impressed that we’re already in discussions about buying another wire EDM and we wouldn’t dream of going anywhere else than Sodi-Tech.”

As a point of note, Cranden Diamond finds the Sodick software far easier to use than its previous solution, partly due to the comprehensive training offered by Sodi-Tech EDM.

“We sent two of our best younger engineers on a three-day training course at Sodi-Tech’s Warwick facility: James Woollett, our Senior Programmer wears many hats in the Company and is now in charge of all 3D Design Engineering. And Rory, originally an apprentice at Cranden and natural Engineer, has taken over the running of our CNC Department,” says Mr Cleary. “The training made for a very smooth transition from our previous EDM technology to Sodick. Even post-training, Sodi-Tech have been very responsive to any questions we had.”

Business is currently booming at Cranden Diamond, particularly from a defence industry perspective. The UK is the world’s second largest defence manufacturer after the US, with demand for precise, UK-engineered solutions soaring.

“We’ve taken on many new employees since the pandemic, including several apprentices,” says Mr Cleary. “Youngsters see engineering as ‘cool’ and we’re attracting some great minds. Investing in machines like the Sodick really helps in that regard.”