NCMT and Delta XD have successfully partnered to introduce advanced wire EDM technology that is transforming how complex aerospace and defence components are inspected, validated, and analysed. The collaboration centres on the implementation of the Makino U6 H.E.A.T. Wire EDM system, providing Delta XD with an innovative capability to section intricate components with exceptional precision while preserving critical material characteristics for inspection purposes.
As demand grows for comprehensive validation of internal geometries, structural integrity, and casting quality, traditional sectioning methods often introduce inefficiencies and material loss. Delta XD identified the need for a more precise and controlled approach that would allow complex parts to be opened for inspection without compromising measurement accuracy.
Working closely with NCMT, the company selected the Makino U6 H.E.A.T. platform to address this requirement. The machine combines micron-level precision with advanced cutting performance, enabling highly accurate sectional views of critical components while minimizing material removal.
One of the system’s key advantages is its ability to operate with extremely fine wire diameters, creating narrow kerf widths that preserve component integrity during cutting. The platform also offers a large working envelope, allowing Delta XD to process both small, highly detailed turbine components and larger castings using a single solution.
The machine’s high-energy pulse technology further enhances productivity by improving cutting efficiency while reducing wire consumption and maintaining excellent surface quality. This is particularly important for metrology applications where sectioned parts must remain suitable for detailed inspection, dimensional verification, and material analysis.
Following installation, Delta XD has integrated the EDM system into advanced workflows that combine 3D scanning, adaptive machining, and digital inspection techniques. The result is a more streamlined process that enables complex components to be sectioned accurately with fewer cuts, reducing reconstruction effort and improving the accuracy of inspection data.
The impact has been immediate. Increased machine utilization, growing customer demand, and faster inspection turnaround times have strengthened Delta XD’s ability to support high-value aerospace and defence programmes. The company has also gained greater operational control by bringing critical sectioning capabilities in-house.
For NCMT, the project highlights the importance of combining advanced manufacturing technology with application expertise, engineering support, and rapid implementation. The successful deployment demonstrates how precision machining technologies can be integrated directly into metrology environments, enabling manufacturers to achieve deeper insights into component performance and quality.
The partnership represents a significant step forward in inspection capability, helping customers accelerate analysis, improve confidence in results, and unlock new possibilities in advanced manufacturing and quality assurance.Delta XD is a leading provider of precision metrology, inspection, and testing solutions, and a proud ZEISS Certified Metrology Partner. With more than 25 years of industry experience, the company delivers advanced hardware, technical services, and precision measurement solutions that help manufacturers improve quality, efficiency, and performance.
Specialising in high-accuracy 3D scanning and reverse engineering, Delta XD utilises AS9100-certified processes to support rigorous quality control standards across a wide range of industries. The company offers both manual and automated metrology solutions, alongside state-of-the-art measurement equipment backed by expert installation, maintenance, repair, and upgrade services.
Delta XD’s technical expertise extends to quality inspection services, including First Article Inspection Reports (FAIR), ZEISS ScanBox programming, fixture design, and fixture manufacturing. By providing tailored solutions for advanced manufacturing environments, Delta XD helps organisations streamline operations, reduce risk, and achieve greater precision.
