Wire Erosion Machines: CHMER and AMS Tech

CHMER Wire Erosion Machines

Approaching its 45th year in the industry, CHMER is making a significant impact in the world of EDM machining. Developed and manufactured in Taiwan, CHMER produces highly reliable and user-friendly EDM products. With in-house research and development teams as well as an internal software department, CHMER takes ownership of every aspect of every machine produced. One of the benefits of having a software development team as part of CHMERs in-house team is that EDM specific software is developed to optimise the cutting performance between the operator and machine whilst providing user specific software for precise application - safe in the knowledge that the software is designed with the characteristics and attributes of the machine in mind.

As Germany is to the Automobile industry, Taiwan is to the electronics industry and so it is unsurprising that CHMER and its subsidiary company AMS Tech, have produced some of the best EDM machines globally, not necessarily in direct response to the growth of the electronics industry but rather in acknowledgement of the application and advancements of EDM machining across a number of industries which include electronics/microelectronics, semiconductors and biotechnology - all of which require highly accurate precision pieces which traditional methods are unable to provide.

This localised need for intricate and immensely precise cutting machines to service the manufacturing needs of the leading industries of Taiwan means that a machine of exceptional quality and longevity can be expected when purchasing a CHMER or AMS Tech Wire erosion machine.

A recent release by CHMER, the RV853L Intelligent Linear Motor Drive WEDM is the winner of the Taiwan Excellence Gold Award for its user-friendly functions, intelligent technologies, efficiency and production speed. CHMER strives to offer greater processing efficiency, higher precision and adept industrial design with a user experience aimed at increasing operator productivity. It is said that one of the core strengths of CHMER is the capacity they hold to manufacture specific intelligent controllers, to custom develop high-efficiency linear motors and energy saving loops further to various innovations in product functions across their machines. CHMER is aware of the importance of efficiency and cost management so implement technologies such as the Internet of Things (connecting devices, automation and artificial intelligence), machine status consultation, process simulations and consumables management which all aid in the effective day to day running of wire erosion machines.

AMS Tech Wire Erosion Machines

In 2006, the research and development team at CHMER created a range of EDM machines which would become the foundational line of AMS Tech, a subsidiary company of CHMER. With much the same ethos as CHMER, AMS Tech provides a range of wire erosion machines built with longevity and efficiency in mind but with AMS Tech, the technological advances and software behind the machines increases the initial price point.

Boasting 100% in-house development, AMS Tech is at the forefront of technical advancements in Wire Erosion Machining with a prominent focus on software progression and intelligent systems. AMS Tech prominently features its hopes to become the leading provider of aerospace EDM equipment and does so through continuous operations and design improvements, product development and the introduction of new technologies. This is not to say that AMS Tech wire erosion machines are only suited to aerospace applications but rather, as part of the CHMER group, AMS Tech is leading the way for technological advancement suited to more complex machining needs. As a relatively new name in the industry, AMS Tech is much more than its 13 years trading as its parent company is intrinsically linked with its development. For many it was unclear why CHMER created AMS Tech as a separate entity to develop, manufacture, and sell its luxury, upscale models but what is clear is that across both companies there is an environment of effective customer support with training and troubleshooting provisions available as well as a commitment to creating long lasting, hardwearing, intelligently designed machinery with everything you would expect from a wire erosion machine plus more, in some cases.

Which is better, CHMER or AMS Tech?

In simple terms, CHMER is to AMS Tech as Toyota is to Lexus. However, in the world of Wire Erosion Machining it is not so clear cut. The reality would demonstrate that the applications of CHMER machines and AMS Tech machines can vary and they serve different purposes so considerations of which machine to purchase should be thought of in terms of the application of the machine types rather than price point or level of ‘luxury’. That being said, each company produces such a wide range of machines that applications can generally be catered for by either CHMER or AMS Tech.

AMS Tech machines in the past have been perceived as being on the smaller scale physically and so are often the preferred machine of choice for those working with small workpieces or who are limited in workshop size. However this is not to say that those requiring the ability to work with larger work pieces should overlook AMS Tech. AMS Tech have constructed some machines which are significantly sized and capable of accommodating a higher workpiece mass.

Equally, there is the assumption that because AMS Tech promote their technological advancements and software intelligence that CHMER is the lesser product when it comes to sophisticated technology. This is not necessarily the case and in many applications, there may be less need for intricately intelligent software and technological advancement.

One of the more notable differences between CHMER and AMS Tech is ‘under the hood’ so to speak. CHMER, initially creating machines for the Asian market has worldwide distributors and experiences successes with their machines globally. However, the Taiwanese company is not held to the same regulations as the north American and European markets therefore CHMER machines require adaptation before being shipped. EU regulations require certain features be present, such as door safety interlocks, guarding and wire configurations which must be included for the machines to enter EU markets. AMS Tech, in response to this, construct all their machines to be built to international standards from conception. This is not to say that it is problematic that CHMER is not initially compatible but rather the cost differential experienced between CHMER and AMS Tech is somewhat voided once the adaptations are taken into account. It would seem to a European market that it is counterintuitive to continue to manufacture CHMER machines without international standards which leads to adaptations to be made. But, with a significant Asian market it would seem that the decision to produce AMS Tech to international regulations from the outset and to continue to produce CHMER with the ability to be adapted, caters for a broader spectrum of requirements.