Spark it - Import export

Spark erosion involves removing material from a conducting part and eroding it to give it the desired shapes and dimensions by means of electrical discharges. In the wire sparks erosion process an unwinding metal wire, under tension, is immersed in water or in another insulating liquid (dielectric) with the part to be worked. The current transmitted forms an electric arc which gives rise to precise, programmed degradation of a section of the part. The residues created by wearing of the part are removed by the water or dielectric liquid. STEEC carries out both spark erosion and fine wire micro spark erosion operations Wires spark erosion and machining Equipped with the latest wire spark erosion technologies, STEEC is able to carry high precision cutting with wires of standard sizes whose diameter may vary from 0.15 to 0.25 mm in all types of mechanical parts.

This modern machining technology offers a host of advantages over more conventional processes. STEEC makes available to its customers its know-how in micro drilling by spark erosion. The principle of this machining process is the same as for wire spark erosion, except that the tool used for cutting is no longer a wire but an electrode shaped according to the precision machining require. The part and the tool (electrode) are not therefore in contact with each other, in fact it is an electric arc formed between the electrode and the part that will machine the latter. This is also called sparking. The part must be necessarily be conducting to be able to be machined by this method and it is prerequisite for using this method. This absence of contact between the tool and the part makes it possible to machine very hard materials such as titanium for example.

STEEC, an eligible company approved for research tax credit, is partner to numerous prestigious research centres such as the CNRS (National Scientific Research Council) and the CEA. The company also collaborates very regularly with university research centres in France and abroad. STEEC assists the researchers in their development by providing them with the possibility of applying leading edge technologies in micro-machining, such as laser micro-cutting or micro-drilling by spark erosion.

STEEC is able to carry out milling and micro-milling operations on complex mechanical parts with increasingly finer dimensions and increasingly tighter tolerances. STEEC carries out micro-drilling operations to manufacture not only parts but also very high precision electrodes. That enable all spark erosion micro-drilling and countersinking operations to be performed. Equipped with a stock of high-tech machines and leading edge IT tools, such as the Solidworks software, STEEC is capable of meeting special requirements and providing innovative solutions for each of its customers. The experience gained in other high precision machining technologies has enabled STEEC to develop innovative milling processes that are well recognized in the industrial environment.

Wire spark erosion, laser micro-cutting, micro-milling and micro-drilling STEEC is also involved, both as a subcontractor to numerous SMEs and agencies in the metallurgy and mechanical engineering sectors which very often engage in subcontracting activities themselves. STEEC enables these players to respond to invitations to tender that involve meeting precision micro-machining requirements for which they are not equipped. The wide variety of precision micro-machining operations which STEEC offers is highly beneficial to these SMEs and agencies, which are able to offer a comprehensive service in micro spark erosion, laser micro-cutting, micro-drilling and milling.

STEEC is a first class supplier to major contractor in the aerospace industry in France and in export such as Thales Alenia Space, Airbus Defense and Space etc.… The company manufacturers parts which are installed directly on satellites in particular. This field of activity makes use of all the technical know-how of STEEC, whether in spark erosion, laser cutting or micro-machining on centres… The company is regularly audited by the quality services of its customers in the aerospace sector. Moreover, these audits have given rise to certifications and homologations such as that of subcontractor for Major Thales Alenia Space.