June 2, 2026 The Challenge: Bridging Measurement and Material Reality
For metrology specialists, accuracy does not stop at the surface. Customers in aerospace and defence require full validation of internal geometries, material integrity and casting quality. This creates a fundamental challenge. Measurement technology can capture external form with exceptional fidelity, but accessing internal features without compromising the part remains a limiting factor.
Delta XD faced exactly this gap. As a business focused on advanced inspection and metrology, the requirement was clear, introduce a capability that could section complex components with minimal material loss, while preserving the integrity of the data.
This requirement led them to NCMT and the implementation of the Makino U6 H.E.A.T. Wire EDM.
Lee Griffiths, Head of Sales & Business Development at Delta XD, explains: “We had a very specific requirement to support a customer in sectioning some finely detailed turbine components for quality control purposes. The need to split parts very precisely, without losing material, was a key focus for us.”
Traditional approaches relied on multiple cuts or outsourced processes, often introducing inefficiencies and limiting control.
He continued: “By doing something in one cut versus doing it in three, four or five, from a metrology and inspection point of view, it’s much less work. You’ve got fewer parts to reconstruct digitally and a more accurate representation of the original component.”
This was not simply about adding machining capability. It was about integrating precision cutting into a metrology-driven workflow, where every micron matters.
The Solution: Makino U6 H.E.A.T. and NCMT Expertise
To meet this requirement, Delta XD partnered with NCMT to implement the Makino U6 H.E.A.T. wire EDM. The decision was driven by a combination of technical capability, machine quality and confidence in the supplier.
Jon Marshall, Area Sales Manager at NCMT, outlines the starting point: “They needed to cut components into sectional views for inspection. The key was doing that with the smallest possible kerf, so you don’t lose material and you get a true representation of what’s inside.”
Wire EDM, often described as an electronic bandsaw with micron-level precision, was the ideal process. However, not all EDM platforms are equal. For a metrology-focused application, three factors were critical, precision, cutting efficiency and surface integrity.
The Makino U6 H.E.A.T. addressed each directly. Jon explains: “The machine will cut to four microns. That level of precision is what makes it suitable for this kind of work.”
The machine’s ability to run fine wires, down to 0.1 mm diameter, enables extremely narrow kerf widths. This minimises material loss and preserves critical features for inspection. At the same time, the U6 platform offers a larger working envelope than comparable machines, allowing Delta XD to handle both small intricate components and larger castings within a single system.
Beyond geometry, the U6 H.E.A.T. technology is central to performance. Rather than relying on high power alone, Makino uses controlled high-energy pulses to optimise cutting efficiency.
NCMT’s Jon Marshall describes the principle: “We utilise high energy rather than just high power. That means we get a higher removal rate, but with lower wire wear and better surface quality. You’re cutting faster, with less damage and lower consumable costs.”
This approach is particularly important for metrology applications. Reduced recast layers and improved surface finish ensure that sectioned components remain suitable for detailed inspection, including material and structural analysis.
The machine’s dual flushing system further enhances consistency. By maintaining optimal dielectric flow even when cutting complex geometries, it ensures stable cutting conditions and repeatable results.
For Delta XD, these capabilities unlocked a new way of working. “We’ve developed a process that combines 3D scanning with adaptive machining. We’re independently driving the axes to create complex 3D cut paths, which means we can open parts in a way that simply wasn’t possible before.” Daniel Lainchbury, Chief Operating Officer at Delta XD, explained.
Just as important as the machine itself was the speed and quality of installation.
Jon Marshall highlights the turnaround: as the Makino U6 H.E.A.T. was already in NCMT’s Coventry showroom, they were able to act quickly.
He said: “From purchase order to install was around ten to fifteen days, including training. It was quick and really simple.”
Lainchbury admits there were initial concerns from Delta XD, but NCMT went the extra mile to ensure the whole process ran smoothly. He said: “I was nervous that we wouldn’t have it in on time, or that training wouldn’t be sufficient. I’m pleased to say I was proved wrong. The whole process was smooth, and we were operational almost immediately.”
The Results: A New Standard for Metrology Capability
Since installation, the impact on Delta XD’s offering has been significant. The ability to perform precise, complex sectioning in-house has transformed both capability and competitiveness.
Lainchbury notes the immediate effect: “Machine utilisation is quite high right now and enquiries have grown. We’ve definitely seen an increase in demand for this approach.”
By reducing multiple cuts to a single operation, Delta XD has streamlined its inspection workflow. Fewer sections mean less reconstruction, improved accuracy and faster turnaround times.
He adds: “The overall time to complete inspections is much reduced, and the amount of data we can present is greater because we’re seeing more of the part in its original state.”
This has also strengthened relationships with high-value clients. The ability to validate internal geometries with greater confidence supports design verification and performance analysis in critical applications.
Beyond efficiency, the move to in-house EDM capability has provided strategic control. Griffiths explains: “We’re now the masters of our own destiny. We’re not relying on subcontractors, and we can refine the process ourselves based on what we need from a metrology perspective.”
For NCMT, the project demonstrates the broader value of combining high-performance machine tools with application expertise and responsive support.
Jon Marshall reflects: “When you look at what we offer as a whole, it’s not just the machine. It’s the backup, the engineers, the ability to respond quickly. That’s what makes the difference.”
The partnership has also opened new opportunities. With Delta XD working on high-profile aerospace components, the visibility of Makino technology in this context reinforces NCMT’s position in the EDM market.
The collaboration between NCMT and Delta XD highlights a shift in how advanced manufacturing technologies are applied. This is not simply a case of adding machining capability to a metrology business. It is about integrating precision cutting into the measurement process itself.
By selecting the Makino U6 H.E.A.T. and leveraging NCMT’s technical support, Delta XD has bridged the gap between measurement and material reality. The result is a more efficient, capable and data-driven approach.
For NCMT, it is a clear demonstration of what defines their offering. Not just supplying high-quality machines but enabling customers to rethink what is possible. “They knew they could come to us and buy a very high-quality product that will still be going 25 years down the line,” Jon Marshall notes. “Everything we do at NCMT is top level. We provide the best engineer-to-machine ratio in the country and the backup for automation and customisation that these complex metrology applications require.”
Learn more about Delta XD HERE
