The AgieCharmilles Form E 350 is a compact, high-performance die-sink machine that is suitable for mouldmakers and precision component manufacturers. Even with what is described as the smallest footprint on the market, the machine boasts several design and performance features that will enhance a user’s competitive advantage.

For instance, a sturdy C-axis construction, cross table and cast-iron frame offer high stability and force reduction, which helps maintain a precise spark gap between the part and the electrode. Furthermore, regardless of part weight or dielectric volume, the machine is said to deliver consistent accuracy. Integrated glass scales preserve long-term accuracy and repeatability, and eliminate the need for recalibration and errors associated with traditional ball-screw systems due to backlash and wear.

The latest-generation Intelligent Speed Power Generator (ISPG) on the Form E 350 delivers high surface finishes and accuracy, and helps overcome common EDM issues and challenges, such as excessive and costly electrode wear, by up to 25%. Machining speeds are also increased by up to 40% when using the ISPG, while corner wear is reduced by 50%. Workpieces up to 800 x 500 x 265 mm can be accommodated.

Designed for high efficiency, the machine features a programmable dielectric management system with a 270-litre capacity integrated inside the cabinet. This system fills and empties the work tank without human intervention to keep production flowing, and is easy to access for routine maintenance.

The machine is equipped with the user-friendly AC Form HMI, which is based on a standard Windows platform and offers interactive graphical assistance so that all operations, such as measurement and machining cycles, are illustrated by graphics/icons for fast understanding and ease-of-use.

For further information
www.gfms.com/uk

Chemical etching specialist Precision Micro, which also offers wire EDM services, has strengthened its operation with two key appointments into the positions of director of procurement and quality systems engineer. The Birmingham-based business has recruited Andrew Scott and Sue Guilmant to drive forward its strategy and ensure continued high-quality production and customer service.

Combining wire EDM with photo etching means component profiles can be cut to tighter tolerances and achieve unique characteristics such as tapered edges. Wire EDM also enables the profiling of thicker, surface etched components to 3 mm.

With more than 30 years’ experience in purchasing across a variety of industries, Andrew Scott, director of procurement, will initially focus on further improving customer responsiveness. Alongside Scott, Susan Guilmant brings extensive experience from the automotive sector.

Building on Precision Micro’s advanced set-up, Guilmant will take the company’s quality system to the next level, managing continued regularity in line with critical industry accreditations to ensure the business remains at the forefront of the industry. With recent re-accreditations received, including IATF 16949 and ISO 13485, Precision Micro is a key supplier to the automotive and medical industries.

Ian McMurray, managing director of Precision Micro, says: “The events of recent months have made for challenging trading conditions, particularly in the manufacturing sector. While we’ve faced some difficult decisions in that period, these appointments signal a positive step forward for our business and boost the specialisms of our team at a critical time.”

He adds: “With their many decades of experience, Andrew and Sue will bring a great deal of expertise to our team, ultimately enhancing our ability to meet the highest of customer expectations in a marketplace which is experiencing significant change in the wake of COVID-19.”

For further information
www.precisionmicro.com

GrindTec 2020, which was postponed from earlier this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, is set to take place on 10-13 November in Augsburg, Germany.

Among the highlights at the show will be the premiere of the new Vollmer VLaser 270 machine concept, which will be presented live for the first time. The VLaser 270 rounds off Vollmer’s range of grinding and erosion machines, making the company a full-line supplier of sharpening technologies, whether rotary tools, circular saws or metal-cutting bandsaws.

At the core of the VLaser 270 is its fixed laser-beam guidance system with novel machine kinematics. The way in which the five axes are arranged means that the tool is always machined at the pivot point of the C axis. This configuration makes it possible to produce tools with minimal axis movement and ensure stable process control. At the same time, the kinematics enables high path accuracy, which has a positive impact on machining accuracy and tool quality. The VLaser 270 can be optionally equipped with a counter point to achieve even higher concentricity, which Vollmer says makes the VLaser 270 the first of its type to offer such a feature.

Also at GrindTec will be the recently introduced Vollmer VHybrid 360 grinding and erosion machine. With this model, tool manufacturers can grind and erode various carbide and PCD tools in a single set-up.

The VHybrid 360 combines technologies and experience that Vollmer has gained in the fields of grinding and eroding over many decades. Among the key components is the Vpulse EDM erosion generator, which is said to set new standards when it comes to efficiency and surface quality. From the world of grinding, the modern machine concept of the VGrind series ensures high precision in tool machining, says Vollmer.

For further information
www.vollmer-group.com

Combining a better continuous casting process with enhanced heat treatment methodologies has developed a high-performance new EDM wire: Bedra Betterbrass from Berkenhoff.

The company’s engineers have created a brass wire electrode comprised of a completely new alloy that delivers up to 10% faster cutting speed. Moreover, the wire is plug-and-play on all machine types. This electrode utilises innovative and efficient production processes to deliver performance never before seen in a traditional brass wire, claims the company.
The patent-pending wire offers reliable performance at a better price, to deliver faster eroding and less wire consumption.
Innovative alloy technology is another secret behind the enhanced performance of Bedra Betterbrass. The CuZn40 special alloy is paraffin-free and features a Pyrit gold surface. Tensile strength is 900 MPa, while elongation is 1%.
Wires of the Betterbrass One type are supplied on K160, K200, K250, K355, P5, P10 and P15 spools, with a wire diameter of 0.20, 0.25 or 0.30 mm.
For further information www.bedra.com

The AV35 is one of ONA’s most ambitious projects in recent years: it represents the company’s technological development of WEDM technology applied to the manufacture of highly demanding parts.

One of the machine’s virtues is that it is a standard model, offering a basic structure to which modules/accessories can be added depending on the type of component to be manufactured. This configuration allows for fully automated machining.
One of ONA’s greatest challenges has been to develop EDM technology adapted to the process in order to convert electrical discharge machining into a competitive and high-quality machining process, even when compared with some of the most common processes in industry, such as milling or broaching. An example of the latter is the cutting of fir-tree roots for turbine discs, which are mainly manufactured by broaching.
A successful project to highlight is the work carried out in collaboration with a company in the aerospace industry, a project in which ONA manufactured fir-tree roots for aviation turbines on its AV35 wire-cutting EDM machine (WEDM). This work is, without a doubt, one of the most important and ambitious projects ONA has partaken in recent years. On the one hand, the company had to undergo a cultural change, since different departments had to work closely on the development of the machine. On the other hand, thanks to the hard work of staff and the technology developed, the application was successful and the manufacturing process of highly demanding parts was validated.
“The most complicated part was co-ordinating with different departments, as well as with the client,” says an ONA technician. “We had to use state-of-the-art software tools to comply with the traceability requirements.”
For further information www.onaedm.com