Bird Flies High With Sodick

Nuneaton-based Birds Precision Engineering has recently invested in a Sodick AG 600L wire erosion machine from Sodi-Tech UK, marking a significant advance in the company’s capabilities and service offerings. This strategic investment represents the latest chapter in the evolution of a business that has been growing steadily since its inception over three decades ago.

The story of subcontract CNC machine shop Birds Precision Engineering began in 1991 when Chris Bird established B&C Engineering in Nuneaton. What started as a sole trader operation quickly expanded, necessitating a move to larger premises. As demand grew, the business relocated and transformed into the name Birds Precision Engineering Ltd. Chris’s son, Tom Bird, joined the company and immersed himself in all aspects of the operation, eventually becoming the Managing Director in 2023.

Bringing Wire EDM In-House

The latest advancement came earlier this year with the acquisition of a Sodick AG 600L wire erosion machine from the Warwick-based Sodi-Tech. This investment was driven by practical business considerations, as Tom Bird explains: “We are predominantly a subcontract CNC machine shop, and we focus mainly on the special-purpose machine tool industry. We invested in the wire eroder because, in the tooling industry, there are a lot of complex components with tight tolerances.”

Before this investment, Birds Precision had outsourced wire EDM work to local companies, which created bottlenecks in their production schedules. “We were subbing a lot of the work out to a couple of companies in the local area, but it created bottlenecks with our schedules, so we decided to bring it in-house to control it a little bit better,” Tom explains.

This decision to bring wire EDM capabilities in-house has proven to be transformative, enabling the company to have complete control over its production process, from start to finish, whilst eradicating subcontract EDM costs.

The Sodick Advantage

The Sodick AG 600L is a high-precision, linear motor-driven die-sink EDM machine renowned for its accuracy, speed, and superior finishing capabilities. For Birds Precision, this machine has been a game changer, offering several key benefits. The AG 600L utilises advanced linear motor technology to achieve remarkable precision, with accuracy on all axes (X, Y, Z, U, W) of +/-0.001mm. This level of precision is crucial for Birds Precision, as Tom notes: “Customers are always after accuracy. The components that we’re machining are getting tighter and tighter on tolerances every time we see the drawings. It’s a major factor, and this machine helps to set us apart as we always guarantee to hit those tolerances for our customers.”

Enhanced Production Efficiency

The Sodick AG 600L machine features a linear drive system that ensures swift axis movement and immediate response, optimising spark gaps and enhancing cutting performance. The AG 600L can produce fine finishes, including satin and mirror finishes, thereby expanding Birds Precision’s service offerings.

“It’s a great machine, and it’s one that, once it’s set up and running, you can just leave to run. You can go and carry on with the other jobs that need doing,” Tom explains. “So for me, being in and out of the office, I can set it up and then go and do my office work.”

Tom’s enthusiasm for the machine’s capabilities is evident: “When you see the precision this machine delivers consistently, it’s a game-changer. What used to be our most challenging work is now just another day. That’s the difference quality equipment makes.” This efficiency has helped Birds Precision meet delivery dates more consistently and has opened up possibilities for expanding into new sectors within the industry.

The new EDM technology enables Birds Precision to achieve extremely tight tolerances across a wide range of materials, including hardened tool steels. “For us, our tolerance demands from customers are probably in the 15 to 20 micron realm, and this machine doesn’t even think about it; it hits tolerance every time. We’ve not had a part come off that hasn’t been right yet,” Tom states proudly. This capability allows Birds Precision to produce complex components for various industries, including aerospace, medical, special-purpose machine tools, and nuclear sectors.

What makes this investment particularly noteworthy is that Birds Precision opted for a refurbished Sodick machine instead of a new one. This decision was driven by practical considerations, as Tom explains: “For us, not being as big as some of the other companies out there, we don’t have as big a budget. This machine has opened the door to us having access to an in-house wire eroder because it’s refurbished. It was significantly cheaper than a brand new one, yet for the accuracy and what we’re after, it’s brilliant.”

Contrary to what some might assume, the refurbished machine from Sodi-Tech is far from merely a cosmetically refreshed unit. Sodi-Tech restores each refurbished machine to factory standards through a meticulous full specification check. “All the parts of the refurb are genuine Sodi-Tech parts, and they were all kept at a facility in Warwick, so it was a quick turnaround on the refurb,” Tom notes. The quality of the refurbishment was so high that Tom admits, “I haven’t told any of my customers that it’s a refurb. I’ve told them all that it’s brand new, because it looks brand new.”

Superior Service and Support

Beyond the machine, Birds Precision has been impressed with the service provided by Sodi-Tech. Their reputation influenced the decision to choose Sodi-Tech in the industry, as Tom states: “The reason we chose Sodi-Tech was their brand, their reputation in the industry for EDM machining and customer service, which I can’t fault. It’s been brilliant.”

The training provided by Sodi-Tech was particularly valuable, featuring trainers who ‘knew exactly what they were doing’ and understood Birds Precision’s need to get the machine operational quickly. “They trained us on the parts that we were cutting. So, the afternoon they left, we were already cutting parts that needed to go out in the next couple of days,” Tom recalls.

This practical approach to training, combined with the 12-month warranty on the refurbished machine, has given Birds Precision complete confidence in their investment.

Looking Toward the Future

For Birds Precision Engineering, the investment in the Sodick AG 600L wire erosion machine represents more than just an addition to their plant list. It’s a strategic enhancement of their capabilities that positions them for future growth.

“Right now, it’s made sure that we can keep hitting times and delivery dates, but going forward, it will open up more doors for us into different sectors within the industry,” Tom says.

When asked about the impact on his business, Tom doesn’t hesitate: “This machine doesn’t just cut metal—it cuts through barriers. We’re now competing for work we couldn’t even quote on before. In this industry, you’re only as good as your tools, and with this Sodick machine, we’re better than we’ve ever been.”

As Birds Precision continues to build on its three-decade legacy of growth and precision engineering, this latest investment reinforces the company’s commitment to delivering high-quality, precise components to its customers, maintaining the reputation for excellence that has defined the business since Chris Bird first opened the doors in 1991.