Oscarmax: Highly rated & competitive EDM manufacturer

Fred Ho, General Manager

What does the years 2016-18 entail? For a number of manufacturers, it is a volatile period of time given the harsh waves of trade war and now escalating into a technological war of two major economies. The machine tool export of the island have declined 10.3% in January - April, 2019, compared to the same period of time in 2018.

But the storm stayed out of the door of Oscarmax. Having grown 12% in revenue within three years, their performance goes in reverse of the general trend. They revolutionised the traditional machining scope of Electrical discharge machining (EDM).

This cover story takes readers into the world of Oscarmax, and inspect the abundant but subtle energy in their ingenious innovation of the 35-year-old EDM manufacturer. International Metalworking News for Asia interviewed OSCARMAX EDM Business Department Manager Jason Ho, he guides us through the adventure of Oscarmax.

The lack of creativity in EDM machines prompted founders to dedicate into the field

During the years of establishment of Oscarmax, EDM technology is involved in the high-flying new field of techniques that emerged in Taiwan, but the siblings, also the founders of Oscarmax recognized that the technology of EDM have much greater potential in delivering the diverse side of it, and since then, they had made two bold revolutionary moves to redefine the contemporary technology of EDM and broaden the applications of EDM on using evidence based methodology.

Toppling the industry with disruptive EDM technology

The first innovative move is in releasing EDM technology with the ongoing 4th industrial revolution. In the age of technology paradigm moving forward fast, CNC automated EDMs are constantly redefined. In particular in the field of aerospace manufacturing, through integrating with clients’ high-end need, five-axis simulated cutting, and multi-channel electric discharge loop and other courageous ground-breaking technologies.

‘We have put much effort in exploring the fundamental potential of EDM since our establishment,” Oscarmax emphasized.

The much anticipated project that Oscarmax is working on is an unmanned airplane components manufacturing line with AIDC.  About 80% of the production in this automated manufacturing line relies on EDM machines for 24-hour-production. It could be said to entail great significance in the manufacturing industry - on the progression that EDM being used directly to manufacture aircraft components. In the past, the major application of EDMs is in making mould-dies on automobiles and home appliances. However, after optimizing and broadening the capacity in materials processing, EDMs can be used in petrochemical and specialised key components production, such as airplane engine diffuser OGV, which opens up the great era of EDMs. Jason considered that once the first EDM automated airplane components manufacturing line is completed, it will create paramount demands in ‘using EDM produce components’.

Highly in-house produced mechanical structure + automation = super high value

You might wonder how the ‘revolutionary manufacturing adds value to producers. Jason explains that the new version of EDMs could resolve the traditional challenges that milling machines brings. Furthermore, the machining limits that milling machines have on shapes are almost non-existent for EDMs due to the freedom in creating flexible multi-shape tools in accordance to work piece features and simplify the complex cutting path. S500 CMAX - S860CMAX combines two 5 axes simultaneously movement EDMs and a tool storage system that contains 84 electrode tools as a solution for the leading Taiwan aircraft company EVA air.

The pursuit of evidence-based spirit and top class pre-purchase service

The second pioneering step is the spirit of creating an evidence-based scientific spirit as one of the first EDM manufacturers in doing so, in particularly on establishing a database for materials. Recently the company began to ask clients and potential buyers to supply a range of difficult-to-machine materials. They then experiment on processing materials that EDMs have never been machined before, and seek to find the best parameter.  Jason stressed that materials are the core condition that affect performances of machining. Their immediate goal now is thus to break the machining boundary of high tensile metal, such as Inconel and Titanium Alloy, and various Tungsten steel. Oscarmax currently spends a great amount of time in testing new materials to understand the features and properties and the best machining parameters. These data is escalating in becoming the first EDM production database built by Oscarmax.

New system EtherCAT allows innovation to be realised

Presently, Oscarmax embedded EtherCAT (Ethernet for Control Automation Technology), a German Ethernet-based fieldbus system. EtherCAT is a strong automation solution, making it easier for delivering data and machine communication. The advantages of EtherCAT exist in its PCB and communication feature that released greater freedom in mechanical and structural design. Jason explained that the improvements are thus applied in the renewed Sinker EDM and Micro drill EDMs, the new designs practices the ideal solution for extremely compact and efficient equipment.

How will Oscarmax treat its brand on valuing-up as a manufacturer of over 50 year-old? The answer is: “Integrate energy of the entire company and execute in full-speed. Attending top class machine tool trade shows.”  - Oscarmax, 2019.

After decades of perseverance and energy built-up, Oscarmax is enjoying the result of constant technology innovation and customer service. They hold the attitude of planning ahead, new series of machines already awaits. Asking about the secret of succeeding in the manufacturing sector, Jason says internal efficiency and using the resource from the abundant and rich industrial chain in Taiwan is essential and enables the company in performing more wisely and flexibly.

This year, Oscarmax participated in the most reputed machine tool trade show – EMO Hannover. With 17 agents in Europe, they wish to advocate their strong presence and service in Europe.

Finally, the ability to learn, integration and smart machinery are the crucial principles for a senior but energetic company like Oscarmax. They anticipate that now knowledge and creativity from the entire company and colleagues would be injected in the creation of more original and revolutionary EDMs.