The TrodeMaster, offered by Methods Machine Tools, is a modified Fanuc RoboDrill high speed VMC specially equipped for cutting graphite EDM electrodes. With full enclosures and a Torrit dust collection system, it is useful for small job shops as well as large in-house EDM facilities.

The machine uses 30-taper tooling and offers 3D contouring capabilities. With feed rates as high as 2,362 ipm, rapid traverses as  high as 2125 ipm, accelerations to 1.5 G, a 20,000-rpm Big Plus spindle and tool changes in 0.9 seconds, it can shorten the machining time of complex electrodes.

Other features include a Fanuc 16iMB CNC, which provides contouring at high feed rates; spindle HRV control and thermal compensation for promoting dynamic accuracy and circularity to 0.00011" TIR; Ethernet; laser tool setting; and a 1,000-cfm dust collector. Optional features include fourth and fifth axes, spindle measuring probes and robotic loading.