At the EMO Milano 2021 exhibition earlier this month, GF Machining Solutions highlighted EDM technologies designed to help manufacturers increase productivity and accuracy.

The show marked the unveiling of the new AgieCharmilles CUT P Pro series of wire EDM machines that are designed for increased productivity. Included in the series is the CUT P 350 Pro, 550 Pro and 800 Pro with robust designs and an intuitive HMI, as well as several automation options for lights-out operation.

At EMO Milano, GF Machining Solutions also announced the AgieCharmilles CUT X series of wire EDM machines, featuring new technologies that significantly increase operating precision. This new range, which includes the CUT X 350 and CUT X 500, is capable of offering extreme pitch positioning and contouring capabilities for high part quality, says the company.

For mould makers in microelectronics, telecommunications, medical technology, connectors and optical systems, GF Machining Solutions demonstrated its AgieCharmilles FORM X 600 die-sinking EDM at EMO. The machine delivers positioning accuracy within 1 μm, and general machining accuracy on the workpiece down to 5 μm, combining speed and precision.

The new Uniqua HMI, available for the CUT P Pro and the CUT X series, capitalises on more than a century of EDM technology, with optimal functionality and ergonomics in a 19-inch vertical touchscreen, full keyboard and mouse. It is suitable for every skill level, every approach and every user, reports GF Machining Solutions.

For the utmost compatibility, Uniqua supports legacy file types from various EDM manufacturers. The HMI also creates, imports, modifies and executes sequential (ISO-based) and object-oriented (dynamic) programs from previous versions of VISION and AC CUT. With offline and at-the-machine programming, ISO-based functionality and object-oriented programming, Uniqua provides a comprehensive graphic tool with integrated CAM, while ensuring compatibility with major CADCAM programs.

For further information www.gfms.com

With up to 30% of its machined components manufactured from hard metals, Longford, Ireland-based N&E Precision acknowledged a requirement for EDM technology to complement its extensive CNC machine shop facilities. In September 2019, the subcontract manufacturer invested in its first Mitsubishi wire EDM machine and, such was its success that the company has now purchased a second Mitsubishi machine from the Engineering Technology Group (ETG).

Discussing the arrival of the first Mitsubishi wire EDM machine, N&E Precision joint managing director Noel Farrell recalls: “As a first-time EDM user, ETG’s Scot Elsemere was a major factor in our decision process. He provided expert advice, demonstrations and feedback. The technology and new software interface with the Mitsubishi MV2400R were also huge factors, but our decision was sealed by a number of recommendations from trusted contacts in the industry.”

With the company outsourcing a considerable amount of work, the Mitsubishi MV2400R immediately stemmed the flow.

“Our lead times for many components fell from weeks to 2-4 days, with some parts turned around in less than 24 hours,” says Farrell. “This wouldn’t have been possible with an external subcontract supplier involved.”

With the first Mitsubishi MV2400R making such an impact, the company invested in a second machine, a Mitsubishi MV1200R.
“The two Mitsubishi machines have added greater flexibility to our business,” states Farrell. “Some parts have tight tolerance bores and, instead of machining, we can put them on the EDM machines and achieve tolerances better than ±5 µm with excellent surface finishes.”

From a productivity standpoint, the Mitsubishi MV1200R and MV2400R are running across the company’s two-shift pattern, with many jobs set up to run unmanned overnight or at the weekends.

For further information
www.engtechgroup.com

Three key aspects make ONA’s new IRIS its most advanced EDM machine to date: an unprecedented integration of digital tools, a powerful graphics engine together with easy-to-use touchscreen, and a 100% digital, configurable and programmable generator.

The ONA IRIS offers digital tools that include improvements in terms of data download and transfer, external connections, security, integration with other software, and remote process management. In addition, the IRIS can integrate ONA’s Security Pack, a system that allows for the creation of an administrator, the configuration of different profiles, the limiting of file modification or deletion, as well as the blocking of external access.

Thanks to its graphics engine, users will be able to simulate processes before executing them, verify results, and change the configuration as necessary, all while the machine is in full production of another job. Its large touchscreen also allows for use in tablet mode and, together with a user-friendly interface and digital JOBS manager, ONA says that customers can expect a significantly improved project management experience.

ONA reveals that IRIS has the market’s first CNC that visualises the real execution of a die-sinking job in 3D. The ONA IRIS CNC also displays 3D models of parts and electrodes in a wide variety of file formats, including STEP, IGES, VRML and BREP.

Thanks to the digital JOBS manager with user-friendly interface, operators will be able to manage everything from simple programs to complete manufacturing orders. All the information necessary to process an EDM job can be contained in the JOB, including its priority in the JOBS queue. On the other hand, the large touchscreen and the ability to use it in tablet mode will facilitate the management work of any task.

For further information
www.onaedm.com

GF Machining Solutions, the EDM, milling, additive manufacturing, laser ablation and automation specialist, has introduced a new laser texturing machine. The AgieCharmilles LASER P 400U Femto Flexipulse, designed specifically for aesthetic and functional laser texturing, integrates a laser source that allows operators to select between two different wavelengths. Target customers include those operating in the watch, jewellery, mould making and cutting tool industries, as well as other sectors where micro-machined components are required.

The LASER P 400U Femto Flexipulse is the first machine combining the use of a femtosecond laser with five-axis texturing capability. As a point of note, the texturing operation delivers completely burr-free results and eliminates the need for post-treatment and secondary operations. The green wavelength, with its reduced spot size, is suitable for use with/on reflective materials such as copper, gold and nickel.

Modular in design, the machine includes an integrated bi-laser solution that combines two laser beams for texturing and engraving the same surface. The laser head’s versatility enables manufacturers to switch, quickly and seamlessly, from one beam to the other, helping to reduce processing times. It is possible to machine a multitude of materials, from aluminium and steel, through to graphite, glass, sapphire and polymers.

The latest version of GF Machining Solutions’ GF Laser machine software brings additional intelligence and reliability to the laser texturing process. The company’s ‘Smartpatch’ technology is said to improve texturing quality and process productivity, while 3D Map software allows the import and use of any 3D CAD file.

GFMS says the machine is also the centrepiece of an automated manufacturing cell developed in partnership with Crevoisier SA, a Swiss-based automation, polishing and grinding machine manufacturer.

For further information
www.gfms.com

Recently announced as the new UK technical partner for Winbro Group Technologies, the Engineering Technology Group (ETG) is introducing the new Winbro HSD-351 high-speed EDM drilling system.

The Winbro HSD-351 is a compact, high-speed, single-point EDM drilling solution with a solid-state, air-cooled EDM generator that has already proven its pedigree in the aerospace and IGT sectors. Now, the machine is set to make its mark in wider industry.

Winbro’s HSD-351 offers a work axis envelope of 300 x 350 x 550 mm in the X, Y and Z axes, with a rotary C axis of ±360° and an A axis of +10°/-135° that allows end users to process five faces of the workpiece in a single set-up. Linear accuracy and repeatability is 0.008 and 0.006 mm respectively, with a rotary axes accuracy and repeatability of 20 and 15 arc/sec.

Regarding technology, the Winbro HSD-351 provides fast automatic electrode changes, where the machine spits, loads and qualifies the electrode from the cartridge system in less than 15 seconds. The automated tool changer utilises twin 14-station carousels and an automatic barrel changer (ABC) with barrels that each hold 15, 25 or 49 electrodes up to 700 mm long. Notably, the tool change also incorporates an automatic nose guide changer (AGC), and it typically accommodates up to 13 nose guides plus a probe.

The six-point probing system ensures accurate, automated machine calibration via an MP250 Renishaw probe carried on the AGC carousel. In the work envelope, an Erowa pneumatic flat chuck (supplied as standard) facilitates the clamping of components up to 10 kg in weight.

For further information
www.engtechgroup.com