Printed from Kezuriba (kezuriba.net/en/maintenance/edm/lubrication/)
EDM machine lubrication
Lubrication points, oil types and viscosity (ISO VG), and replacement guidelines. Intervals, set values and oil types follow the machine manufacturer's instruction manual, which takes priority; the values here are examples from published sources. EDM machines that use a hazardous material as the machining fluid fall under municipal fire prevention ordinances in Japan, so follow the guidance of the local fire department on installation notification and handling of stored quantities
⛽Lubrication points and oils
| Location | Machine | Oil (example) | Interval guideline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feed mechanism of each axis (ball screw, guideways) | Common | Grease or lubricating oil specified by the machine manufacturerFANUC lists lubrication of all axes in its preventive maintenance, and Makino recommends confirming that grease has reached each axis and ball screw before a long shutdown. Check lubrication points, oil types and intervals in the instruction manual for the model | Machine manufacturer's interval. Preventive maintenance lubricates all axes, and before a long shutdown, check that the grease has spread[1][2] |
🛢Oil types and how to choose
- EDM oil (die-sinking, some small-hole machines, oil-type wire machines)Low viscosity, typically about 1.7–6.0 mm²/s at 40 °C (examples: ENEOS and Idemitsu EDM oils)
- The machining fluid that insulates the gap, cools the machined area and carries away debris. Many are classed as hazardous materials (Class 4) under Japan's Fire Service Act. Oil with a flash point below 70 °C is not allowed under the ordinances (kerosene and similar are not allowed). For each brand's flash point and hazardous material class, see the table "Typical properties of EDM oils"[3][4][5][6][7][8]
- Deionized water (water type for wire and small-hole machines)
- Tap water passed through ion-exchange resin to remove ions. It gives high machining speed and excels at carrying away debris and cooling, so water is generally the most common fluid for wire machines. Keep the resistivity (conductivity) at the machine's set value. Water-based machining fluids are outside the regulation of EDM machines under the Fire Service Act and the ordinances[9][10][8][11]
📚Sources
Items without a mark are those on which two or more materials from different publishers agree. Values and intervals are governed by each machine's specifications. The text is summarized in Kezuriba's own words.
- FANUC Europe (FANUC's European subsidiary), "ROBOCUT Preventive Maintenance (contents and intervals of preventive maintenance)"
- Makino Inc. (the U.S. subsidiary of Makino), "Machine layup suggestions (23 March 2020; recommendations for long-term shutdown, including die-sinking and wire EDM machines)"
- ENEOS, "Product information IND-6005-2405 Metalwork S (EDM-specialized oil)" (in Japanese)
- ENEOS, "Product information IND-6060-2405 Metalwork EDO L (EDM-dedicated oil)" (in Japanese)
- Idemitsu Kosan, "Lubricant product data: Daphne Magplus ED5 (die-sinking EDM oil)" (in Japanese)
- Idemitsu Kosan, "Lubricant product data: Daphne Magplus ED3 (die-sinking and small-hole EDM oil)" (in Japanese)
- Sapporo City Fire Department, "Purpose and explanation of the Sapporo Fire Prevention Ordinance Article 14-2 (EDM machines)" (in Japanese)
- Hazardous Materials Safety Techniques Association, "Safety & Tomorrow No. 148 (2013), Explanation of hazardous materials terms (Part 23): EDM machines" (in Japanese)
- Sodick, "Frequently asked questions (wire EDM and die-sinking EDM)" (in Japanese)
- Shizuoka University, "Technical report: Small-hole machining using a wire EDM machine (Faculty of Engineering, Equipment Development Technical Office)" (in Japanese)
- Funabashi City Fire Department, "Section 16 Operation of the ordinance on EDM machines (Ordinance Article 10-2)" (in Japanese)