Providing fast, even same-day, turnaround to its customer base is a "bigger balancing act" for a small EDM shop than for a larger shop, but the relationship is one that the customer can count on, according to Brian Lemke, one of three partners in Advanced Machining Technologies Incorporated. A six-year-old shop located in Menomonee Falls, AMT has 12 employees, operating two shifts and running long jobs unattended overnight. The shop can wire cut parts 15 in. x 30 in. x 16 in. thick and weighing up to 2000 lbs. While AMT's customer base is in Southeastern Wisconsin, ads in the Thomas Register brings in a substantial number of national customers." Every customer is vital to us, and we know that we play an important role in the customer's business as well," said Brian, explaining how a small EDM shop brings a personal touch to its customer relationships." We take a personal satisfaction in helping a customer out, getting a broken mold back together in a hurry, for example."

The stability of the working relationship between a small EDM service and its customers is a key factor in each side's success whether the job is prototyping, die work, mold inserts, or short-run production parts." We try to keep a machine open for one-day turnaround, sometimes even same day service," added Brian, whose partners are Greg Meyer and Andy Kihn. Together, the three men have over 50 years experience in wire EDM. Andy is an experienced journeyman toolmaker, in addition to having wire EDM experience.

Greg began programming for EDM in 1980, while Brian has been an EDM operator and programmer since 1982. In the early 1980s the wire EDM process began to make great advances in speed and capability. Greg and Brian have worked on many generations of machines and have the depth of knowledge of the process to complete the difficult jobs involving hard to handle materials such as Summarium Cobalt. "This is a rare earth element with a high magnetic density," Greg explained. "It's crystalline and shatters if clamped, but we developed a way to hold it and successfully cut high density magnets for circuit breakers." Greg said.

Every day is different in a small shop and the AMT employees like the variety." A small shop depends on a stable customer base and will serve each customer to the best of its abilities," he added, noting that AMT's average turnaround is three or four days, but the shop treats each job individually, working within the customer's requirements. "We are extremely honest about what we can deliver," he explained.

AMT has five wire EDM machines and an EDM drill, as well as two CNC machining centers and a CNC mill. "We have the potential to add an EDM sinker. We have added equipment to meet customers' requirements, and will do it again," Brian added.

AMT also offers machining and grinding to finish parts in-house.