The Toolroom Equipment Set: EDM, Surface Grinder, Engraving-Milling

Mould shops rarely buy toolroom machines one at a time by accident. The efficient toolroom is a set: a milling machine or machining center removes the bulk, a surface grinder finishes plates and inserts, an engraving-milling machine cuts electrodes, and the EDM burns the details a cutter cannot reach. VITOP Machinery builds all three categories, and this guide shows how the lines fit together.

EDM Machines: The Detail Makers

Two EDM lines cover the range. The standard series runs three models, CNC-450/ZNC-450 up to CNC-700/ZNC-700, with work tanks from 1100 x 710 x 450 mm up to 1650 x 1100 x 630 mm, worktable loads of 1200 to 2000 kg and electrode head loads of 120 to 200 kg. ZNC versions handle single-axis servo burning for straightforward cavity work; CNC versions add multi-axis positioning for complex, angled and multi-feature burning. The high-efficiency series, from CNC430N to CNC1880NN, stretches much further: working travels up to 1200 x 800 x 600 mm, work tanks to 3500 x 1800 x 630 mm, electrode weights up to 450 kg and workpiece loads up to 6500 kg. Large automotive and structural moulds need that headroom. Typical toolroom practice: rough the cavity pocket in milling, then let the EDM hold the sharp corners, deep ribs and textured details that no end mill reaches.

Precision Surface Grinders: The Finish Foundation

Flat, square plates are the starting point of every accurate mould, and the grinder delivers them. The compact precision series covers three models from the 618M/H to the 306AHD/AS, with worktables from 460 x 150 to 600 x 300 mm, table loads up to 420 kg with chuck and hydraulic operation for consistent surface finish. The large series, 5010AHD to 84AHD/AS, widens to 1000 x 500 mm tables with 520 to 1000 kg loads and 900 to 1140 mm of longitudinal travel, built for big mould plates. Spindle speeds of 1450 to 2850 rpm at 50 Hz suit conventional abrasives, with wheel sizes from 180 mm up to 400 mm diameter across the two series. A sensible rule: grind plates before EDM so the reference surfaces stay true, then grind again after heat treatment to remove distortion on hardened inserts.

Engraving-Milling Machines: Electrodes and Fine Detail

Electrode making is the hidden bottleneck of every EDM shop, and that is where the engraving-milling lines earn their keep. The CM series, four models from CM650 to CM1280, offers sliding saddle strokes of 600 to 1200 mm, spindle speeds up to 24000 r/min, 7.5 to 11 kW spindle motors and ±0.003/300 mm positioning accuracy. The CM870 model, for example, carries a gantry structure with 760 mm gantry width, ER32 or BT30 tooling, a 12-tool magazine and ±0.002/300 mm repeatability, suited to high-gloss mould work, copper graphite electrodes and fine watch parts. The GV series, GV-650 and GV-870, pushes rigidity higher for graphite and metal: ER32, BT30 or BT40 tool interfaces, spindle options from 8 up to 20 kW and speeds to 24000 r/min. Graphite dust management and small-diameter tool stability are the reasons serious electrode shops choose these over general-purpose VMCs.

How the Set Works Together

1. Mill the mould base and rough cavities on your VMC or gantry.
2. Grind plates and inserts flat and square to size.
3. Cut copper or graphite electrodes on the engraving-milling machine.
4. Burn details, ribs and corners on the EDM.
5. Grind and polish final seating surfaces.

Shops that plan this workflow buy compatible table sizes and tooling across the three machines, which keeps jobs moving without re-fixturing. If you send us your typical mould sizes and materials, we can propose a toolroom set with matched capacities, from tank volume to table load.

Talk to VITOP Machinery

Planning a machine purchase or need help matching a model to your parts? Send your drawings or questions to vitopmachinery@163.com, or message us directly on WhatsApp: +86 183 1908 0212. You can also browse all machines at www.vitopmachinery.com. We reply within one business day.