Sodick Sodick AL80G+
Key Specifications
X Travel
Y Travel
Z Travel
max workpiece weight
max electrode weight
drive system
Overview
The Sodick AL80G+ is a large-format linear motor die-sinker EDM from Sodick's AL G-Plus series, delivering 850 x 520 x 420 mm (33.5 x 20.5 x 16.5 in) X/Y/Z travel and a 3,000 kg (6,614 lb) maximum workpiece capacity. The AL80G+ targets production die and mold shops working on automotive body panel stamping dies, large injection mold cavities, and precision forging dies that demand both generous travel envelopes and the positioning accuracy that only linear motor drives can sustain over a machine's service life.
Sodick's direct-drive linear motor system powers all three axes on the AL80G+, eliminating ball screws entirely. This screw-less architecture removes backlash, hysteresis, and the progressive accuracy degradation that ball screw wear introduces over thousands of hours of operation. The result is sustained sub-micron positioning resolution and a drive response fast enough to support Sodick's high-speed servo-jump flushing technology, where the electrode retracts and re-engages at rates that create natural dielectric pumping action in the spark gap.
The AL80G+ incorporates Sodick's LN Pro AI machining condition adviser, which uses artificial intelligence to recommend and optimize discharge parameters based on electrode material, workpiece material, and target surface finish. This AI-assisted condition setting reduces setup time for new jobs and helps less experienced operators achieve results that previously required deep EDM process knowledge. The thermal displacement correction function (TH COM) monitors and compensates for thermal drift during long burns, maintaining dimensional accuracy across multi-hour unattended operations.
Automated pump optimization reduces power consumption during machining by dynamically adjusting dielectric flow rates to match actual flushing requirements rather than running pumps at fixed high flow throughout the burn cycle. For shops running multiple sinker EDMs around the clock, this translates to meaningful energy cost reductions across the fleet.
Pricing for a new Sodick AL80G+ typically falls in the $280,000-$400,000 range depending on configuration, electrode changer options, and automation packages. The AL80G+ competes directly with the Makino EDAF3, Mitsubishi Electric EA28V Advance, and GF AgieCharmilles FORM P 900 in the large-format sinker EDM segment.
Full Specifications
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| X-Axis Travel | 850 mm (33.5 in) |
| Y-Axis Travel | 520 mm (20.5 in) |
| Z-Axis Travel | 420 mm (16.5 in) |
| Max Workpiece Weight | 3,000 kg (6,614 lb) |
| Max Electrode Weight | 100 kg (220 lb) |
| Drive System | Linear motors (X, Y, Z axes — screw-less) |
| Ai System | LN Pro AI machining condition adviser |
| Thermal Compensation | TH COM (Thermal Commit) thermal displacement correction |
| Machine Dimensions | 2,060 x 3,130 x 2,900 mm (81.1 x 123.2 x 114.2 in) incl. power supply |
| Positioning Resolution | 0.1 um |
| Surface Finish | Ra 0.1 um achievable with fine-pulse finishing |
| Energy Optimization | Automated pump optimization for reduced power consumption |
| Axis Stroke Xyz | 850 x 520 x 420 |
| Max Weight Of Electrodekg | 100 |
| Max Weight Of Workpiecekg | 3000 |
| Machine Tool Dimensions W X D X H | 2060 x 3130 x 2900*1 |
Specifications sourced from sodick.co.jp — verified 2026-03-28
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- 850 x 520 x 420 mm travel handles large automotive stamping dies and injection mold cavities without repositioning
- Linear motor drives on all three axes deliver sub-micron positioning resolution with zero backlash, backed by Sodick's long-term accuracy guarantee
- LN Pro AI machining condition adviser reduces setup time and helps operators optimize discharge parameters for new materials and geometries
- TH COM thermal displacement correction maintains dimensional accuracy during long unattended burns spanning multiple hours
- 3,000 kg workpiece capacity accommodates heavy die blocks and mold bases with robust workholding setups
- Automated pump optimization reduces energy costs during continuous operation
Limitations
- Premium pricing at $280,000-$400,000 requires high-value die and mold work to justify the investment over ball-screw alternatives
- Machine footprint of 2,060 x 3,130 mm plus service clearances demands significant floor space in the shop
- Linear motor technology requires a clean, temperature-controlled environment to perform at rated specifications
- Sodick's North American service network is smaller than Makino's, potentially affecting response times in some regions
Best For
Frequently Asked Questions
01
LN Pro AI is Sodick's artificial intelligence-based machining condition adviser. It analyzes electrode material, workpiece material, desired surface finish, and cavity geometry to recommend optimal discharge parameters. The system reduces setup time for new jobs and helps operators achieve consistent results without requiring deep EDM process expertise.
02
TH COM (Thermal Commit) monitors thermal displacement in the machine structure during long burns and applies real-time corrections to axis positions. During extended unattended operations, ambient temperature changes and heat generated by the discharge process can cause micron-level dimensional drift. TH COM measures these thermal effects and compensates for them automatically.
03
The AL80G+ supports optional automatic electrode changers (AEC) for unattended multi-electrode sequencing. This allows the machine to rough with one electrode, semi-finish with a second, and finish with a third without operator intervention. For production shops running overnight burns, the AEC maximizes machine utilization.
04
The AL1000G is the larger machine with 1,000 x 800 x 500 mm travel and 4,000 kg workpiece capacity versus the AL80G+'s 850 x 520 x 420 mm and 3,000 kg. Both use linear motor drives on all axes. The AL80G+ is the better choice when the work envelope fits within its travel range, offering a smaller footprint and lower price point.
