XACT Wire EDM Corporation
High-Speed and Precision Wire EDM Services

Medical device manufacturing has experienced significant advances in the area of component size reduction. For manufacturers involved in the machining of very tiny complex parts which need to be developed quickly and perhaps also refined through many iterations, precision and performance are vital. Tolerance specifications are extremely demanding owing to the size of the products, and process stability and repeatability are of course essential. In this scenario, Wire Electrical-Discharge Machining (WEDM) is well-established as an essential process for manufacturing medical devices to meet these requirements. While the medical industry has grown more competitive on price, delivery, and quality, it is the manufacturer’s innovations, engineering expertise and meticulous attention to detail that enhances production quality. This is precisely what ISO 9001:2015-certified XACT Wire EDM Corporation brings to the table.

As medical device companies look for speed-to-market and advanced capabilities to cut with smaller wire diameters, XACT Wire EDM Corporation holds a sweet spot in the wire EDM industry. Their rich expertise is instrumental in delivering the latest technologies in this space. Since 1984, XACT has been providing high-speed and precision wire EDM and small-hole EDM machining services to companies worldwide. “While many EDM companies are expanding their machining capabilities to become a one-stop machine shop, XACT is one of the few that solely focuses on wire EDM,” says Jeff Gubbins, Owner at XACT. “The combination of decades of experience and expertise, highly-skilled professionals and advanced technology make us unique in the industry.” The majority of their work is with medical parts, but the company also has expertise with tooling, gauges, and prototypes.

In addition, XACT uniquely features a high-speed small-hole EDM machine that uses oil as the coolant instead of the ionized water, which is ideal for carbide components.

With an aim to achieve the highest levels of quality and efficiency, XACT focuses on all aspects of the production process, including wire type and electrode diameter selection, efficient part handling and precise fixturing, inspection, programming and machine settings for ensuring success and profitability. “With our specialty in wire EDM, we can design and create specialized fixturing to hold the production components for accurate repeatability and tight tolerances,” says Mike Raasch, Business Development at XACT.

To begin with, XACT’s project engineers engage with the clients to completely understand their projects, required materials, delivery demands, and inspection requirements. Next, the project engineer, programming department, and quality assurance personnel collaborate and begin the process of fixture design and first article inspection. “XACT’s quality department has the experience and equipment to enable them to be extremely confident with their inspection results and the provided documentation. We can therefore repeatedly provide the best product possible,” says Troy McGroarty, Quality Assurance Manager.

“Operating three shifts has enabled XACT to deliver large, challenging wire EDM projects of different types and sizes quickly. We have manufactured intricate, complex components, on time and within budgets,” mentions Gubbins. “XACT’s responsiveness and attention to detail along with the best equipment to carry out the process correctly, the very first time, are what sets us apart.” In one instance, XACT helped a large client to launch a new product line. The client, itself being a medical manufacturing company with wire EDM, was challenged with eight components of a program that they had planned to launch within a tight timeframe. “XACT committed 14 of their own wire EDM machines to complete the task on time and get the client through their product launch,” McGroarty mentions.

Scripting similar success stories, XACT will continue adding features to its services to manufacture and deliver smaller and more complex components for medical devices. “We are currently looking to acquire the very best capabilities to machine extremely high taper parts with extreme precision,” concludes Gubbins.