Participating in a project such as MTPRINT arises naturally within ONA’s strategy of commitment to decarbonisation and sustainability. That is why EDM machine builder ONA and other prominent national machine tool companies in Spain, including Zayer, Izadi, IMH and Ibarmia, initiated the project: to bolster their dedication to sustainability.

The primary objective of the project is to develop a special corporate carbon footprint calculation tool tailored explicitly for the machine tool industry, addressing sustainability comprehensively and in alignment with international standards.

At the core of MTPRINT lies the creation of an advanced tool designed to manage the corporate carbon footprint effectively. Exclusively crafted for the machine tool market, this tool will adopt an analytical approach that covers the entire lifecycle of products, from raw material extraction to recycling or final disposal. Its methodology includes in-depth analyses of greenhouse gas emissions at each stage, facilitating a practical and accurate evaluation of the environmental footprint. Notably, the tool distinguishes itself by providing product-specific emission details for each manufactured machine.

This meticulous and scientific approach is pivotal for pinpointing critical emission points and identifying improvement opportunities in manufacturing processes and supply chains. The tool will adhere to major international sustainability standards, including the Greenhouse Gas Protocol (GHG Protocol) and ISO 14064.

In collaboration with industry leaders, this project underscores a genuine dedication to environmental responsibility, emphasising that ONA, alongside its partners, is advancing towards decarbonisation.

For further information www.onaedm.com

There are many wire EDM machines on the market. Some deliver faster processing speeds, while others are more accurate. Identifying the optimal wire EDM machine solution has, until now, been a trade-off because GF Machining Solutions says there has never really been a machine that does everything well.

According to GFMS, its CUT X series of machines bucks the trend. Developed and manufactured at the company’s Losone factory in Switzerland, these EDMs are available in two sizes: the CUT X 350 (with a maximum workpiece size of 800 x 550 x 250 mm) and the CUT X 500 (1050 x 700 x 250 mm). GFMS says the machines are extremely accurate because of a new thermal management system and optimised mechanics.

The machines maintain consistent thermal conditions via sealed cabinets and doors that ensure cold air containment within the workspace, as well as controlled air flow. By keeping heat sources away from the mechanics, CUT X models perform consistently without the ill effects of temperature fluctuation outside the machine.

Notably, the machine’s CNC collects data from an array of temperature and humidity sensors located inside and outside of the work area as a further contributor to ambient workspace conditions. The data drives an AI algorithm that predicts possible thermal deformations and compensates the positioning of the X, Y, U and V axes. This AI-driven compensation enables high-accuracy results, even with the environmental temperature fluctuations that are common during long cutting cycles.

New additively manufactured upper and lower heads increase the cutting speeds of CUT X machines. The heads reduce the distance between the guides and the part, creating improved accuracies during cut, while also increasing the amount of fluid that pushes through to optimise flushing and cutting speeds.

For further information www.gfms.com