Makino EDFH-1
Key Specifications
X Travel
Y Travel
Z Travel
Tool Capacity
Table Size
Weight
Overview
The Makino EDFH-1 is a dedicated EDM fine-hole drilling machine built specifically for high-precision hole-making in hardened materials. Unlike the EDAF-FH variants that add hole drilling to a sinker EDM platform, the EDFH-1 is purpose-designed from the ground up for EDM hole drilling, delivering faster drilling speeds, better hole quality, and higher positioning accuracy than dual-purpose machines.
Axis travel measures 350 x 250 x 250 mm (13.8 x 9.8 x 9.8 in) on X/Y/Z, with the Z-axis specifically optimized for the plunge-style drilling motion. The W-axis provides the precision electrode feed required for controlled material removal during the drilling process. The worktable spans 500 x 350 mm (19.7 x 13.8 in) with a 300 kg (661 lb) load capacity.
The EDFH-1 drills holes from 0.1 mm (0.004 in) to 3.0 mm (0.118 in) diameter in any conductive material regardless of hardness. Typical applications include start holes for wire EDM operations, cooling channels in injection mold inserts, vent holes in die casting dies, and fuel injector nozzle orifices. The machine drills through hardened tool steels, tungsten carbide, and exotic alloys that would destroy conventional drills.
The machine uses rotating tubular electrodes (electrode tubes) with dielectric fluid pumped through the center for flushing. This through-electrode flushing is critical for maintaining drilling speed and hole quality, especially at high aspect ratios (depth-to-diameter ratios of 20:1 or more). An automatic electrode tube changer holds multiple tube sizes for varied hole diameters without manual intervention.
The Hyper-i touchscreen control includes dedicated hole-drilling technology settings with optimized parameters for different materials and hole sizes. The machine operates in EDM dielectric oil rather than deionized water, which Makino says delivers better hole edge quality, less recast layer, and improved positional accuracy. New pricing typically ranges from $100,000 to $160,000.
Full Specifications
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| X-Axis Travel | 350 mm (13.8 in) |
| Y-Axis Travel | 250 mm (9.8 in) |
| Z-Axis Travel | 250 mm (9.8 in) |
| Table Size | 500 x 350 mm (19.7 x 13.8 in) |
| Max Workpiece Weight | 300 kg (661 lb) |
| Hole Drilling Range | 0.1 - 3.0 mm (0.004 - 0.118 in) |
| Max Drilling Depth | 200 mm (7.9 in) |
| Electrode Type | Rotating tubular electrodes with through-hole flushing |
| Electrode Tube Changer | Automatic multi-size |
| Rapid Traverse Rate | 5,000 mm/min (197 ipm) |
| Dielectric | EDM dielectric oil |
| Positioning Accuracy | +/-0.003 mm |
| Machine Weight | ~3,500 kg (7,716 lb) |
| CNC Control | Makino Hyper-i (touchscreen) |
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| Metric | English |
| Maximum Workpiece Weight50 Kgatc Capacity8 16tank Size450 X 350 X 200 Mm | Maximum Workpiece Weight:110 lbATC Capacity:8, 16Tank Size:17.7" x 13.8" x 7.9" |
| Maximum Workpiece Weight | 110 lb |
| Tool Capacity | 8, 16 |
| Tank Size | 17.7" x 13.8" x 7.9" |
Specifications sourced from makino.com — verified 2026-03-28
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- Purpose-built for EDM hole drilling — faster drilling speeds and better hole quality than dual-purpose sinker/drill machines
- 0.1 mm minimum hole diameter enables precision start holes and micro-orifice drilling in hardened materials of any hardness
- Through-electrode flushing maintains drilling speed and hole quality at high aspect ratios (20:1+) where side-flushing methods fail
- Oil-based dielectric produces cleaner hole edges with less recast layer than water-based dedicated drill machines
- Automatic electrode tube changer enables unattended drilling of multiple hole sizes without operator intervention
- Hyper-i control with dedicated drilling technology simplifies setup for different materials and hole specifications
Limitations
- Single-purpose machine — cannot perform sinker EDM cavity burning, making it less versatile than EDAF-FH variants
- 3 mm maximum hole diameter limits the machine to small holes — larger holes require conventional EDM drilling or mechanical processes
- Significant capital investment ($100K-$160K) for a dedicated hole-drilling machine that requires sufficient volume to justify
- Drilling speed in hard materials like tungsten carbide can be significantly slower than in tool steels
- Electrode tube consumable costs add up in production environments drilling high volumes of holes daily
Best For
Frequently Asked Questions
01
New EDFH-1 machines typically price between $100,000 and $160,000 depending on configuration, electrode tube changer capacity, and filtration options. Used EDFH-1 machines are uncommon on the secondary market but trade between $40,000 and $80,000 when available.
02
If you primarily need sinker EDM capability with occasional hole drilling, the EDAF2-FH or EDAF3-FH is more versatile and cost-effective. If you drill high volumes of holes daily (50+ holes per shift) or need the fastest possible drilling speed and best hole quality, the dedicated EDFH-1 is the better choice. The EDFH-1's purpose-built drilling technology outperforms the FH option on speed and consistency.
03
The EDFH-1 drills any electrically conductive material regardless of hardness: hardened tool steels (up to 65 HRC), tungsten carbide, Inconel, Hastelloy, titanium, stainless steels, and copper alloys. Material hardness does not affect hole quality — only drilling speed. The machine's primary advantage over mechanical drilling is its ability to drill hardened materials without tool deflection or breakage.
04
The EDFH-1 routinely drills holes at aspect ratios of 20:1 (depth-to-diameter), and ratios up to 30:1 are achievable with appropriate electrode tubes and drilling parameters. Through-electrode flushing is critical for high-aspect-ratio holes, as it maintains dielectric circulation at depth. At extreme ratios, drilling speed decreases as flushing efficiency drops.
05
EDM hole drilling produces burr-free holes with better edge quality and less thermal damage than laser drilling, especially in metallic materials above 1 mm thickness. Laser drilling is faster for very small holes (under 0.3 mm) in thin materials. EDM drilling handles thicker materials (up to 200 mm) that laser cannot penetrate effectively. For precision holes in thick hardened materials, EDM drilling is generally the superior process.
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