Faster and Cheaper Moulds with KnowEDM

A new three year EU-sponsored collaborative research project was launched with a kick-off meeting at TNO in Eindhoven on 17 and 18 October, 2006. The KnowEDM partnership comprises five trade associations, four research centres (TNO, BCUC, IDEKO and KU Leuven) and eleven SMEs, drawn from across eight European countries: Belgium, France, Germany, The Netherlands, Switzerland, Spain, Poland and the United Kingdom.

This will be achieved by developing knowledge-based automated EDM technology, which will be integrated into toolmaking and the manufacture of high precision components. The project will benefit from the pooling of accumulated knowledge, expertise and research effort by the 20 consortium members, supplemented by input provided by associated companies.  This will ensure that the work-programme and its spin-offs will be best tailored to the industries addressed by the project.

Three modules will be developed in KnowEDM, each with a specific purpose: 1. Time estimation of EDM operations; 2. Automation of electrode design and manufacturing; 3. Automation of optimised apportioning of machining operations between HSM and EDM,  on cost and time criteria.

KnowEDM main objectives:

ð  Reduction of up to 50% in time required for EDM electrode design and manufacturing
ð  Reduction of the manufacturing lead-time by optimised EDM/HSM decision making
ð  Accurate EDM time estimation
ð  Improvement of integration of the chain from product design, through mould   manufacture and injection moulding

The KnowEDM project is being carried out under the Collective Research Programme of the European Union (COLL-CT-2006-030238), where RTD performers undertake scientific and technological research activities on behalf of Industrial Associations and their member companies, with the active support of participating core SME members. This R&D funding scheme is intended to assist European companies to improve their global competitiveness.

For detailed information, please visit: www.knowedm.eu