The new CUT S 400 Dedicated wire EDM from GF Machining Solutions is specifically for turbine manufacturing applications in the aerospace and power generation sectors. Developed in close collaboration with customers and partners, the CUT S 400 Dedicated builds on GF Machining Solutions’ legacy wire EDM technology for manufacturing fir-tree disks.

Unlike the company’s other wire EDM machines, where the emphasis is on precision, higher productivity is the main focus with the CUT S 400 Dedicated, largely through improved reliability, enhanced process security and ease of maintenance. These features combine to deliver what GFMS describes as an efficient and effective production machine.

The CUT S 400 Dedicated incorporates technologies such as tilting and rotating axes. Further features include the company’s Intelligent Speed Power Generator (ISPG), 3D-printed heads for more effective flushing and proprietary Spark Track technology. The latter optimises spark energy in real time to prevent wire breaks and maximise cutting speed. The machine’s design facilitates easy access for cleaning and maintenance operations, reducing downtime and costs.

GF Machining Solutions’ eTracking software ensures monitoring of the machine’s status, job progress and processing traceability in real time. This functionality is NADCAP-compliant and enables prompt responses to any deviations. Smart wire spools with RFID technology further improve traceability and efficiency in the production process.

The CUT S 400 Dedicated suits lights-out operations with a large wire spool (up to 45 kg capacity) and six high-efficiency filters. Notably, the machine supports easy integration with a range of automation systems to increase its operational capabilities. The CUT S 400 Dedicated offers a 28% reduction in daily energy consumption compared with the previous-generation machine.

More information www.gfms.com

Since its inception in 1945, Northern Tool and Gear Ltd (NTG) have been producing high-quality gears at its facility in Arbroath. Nowadays, the company utilises a diverse range of high-end machine tools to manufacture everything from one-offs to the high-volume production of gears and transmission components. To support this activity, NTG recently invested in a Mitsubishi MV4800S wire EDM machine from the Engineering Technology Group (ETG).

NTG’s managing director Gordon Strachan says: “To produce things like keyways, we would previously use a broach or old-fashioned slotting machine, which was slow and laborious and would occasionally display quality issues. Splines and external gears have dedicated machines that are fast and efficient but require a lot of tooling and long set-up times. In fact, sometimes the tooling would cost more than the job. Now, if the customer needs something in a hurry, we can cut it on our new Mitsubishi wire EDM.”

Discussing the selection of the Mitsubishi MV4800S, he adds: “We looked at four or five manufacturers. I cut this list down to two and eventually, through the graces of RAM Engineering & Tooling, the Scottish distribution partner for ETG, we selected the Mitsubishi. I had been impressed with Mitsubishi machines from the start and, from visiting machines at the sites of users, I could see the quality of the product and the technology involved. Everything is state-of-the-art and the control system is very user-friendly.”

The particularly large MV4800S machine incorporates technology like automatic wire threading, linear shaft motors and an optical drive system for precision and circular accuracy within 1 µm.

More information www.engtechgroup.com

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