At its 2019 GF Solutions Days event, held in Lincolnshire and Chicago, Illinois, on June 27-28, GF Machining Solutions demonstrated its wide range of advanced manufacturing technology to more than 250 visitors. In addition to the innovative Milling, EDM, Laser texturing, Additive Manufacturing and Laser micromachining technologies on display with a full range of automation, tooling and connectivity solutions at the company’s U.S. headquarters, visitors attended a ribbon-cutting ceremony, facility tour, machine demonstrations and several technical discussions at the rededicated Microlution production facility.
Among the innovations that attracted much attention at Solutions Days 2019 were the North American debuts of several new machines, including the latest Additive Manufacturing machine tool resulting from GF Machining Solutions’ collaboration with 3D Systems, the DMP Flex 350. Building upon the success of the DMP Factory 500, which had its North American debut at IMTS 2018, the DMP Flex 350 features a 10.82″ x 10.82″ x 14.96″ working area, as well as 3D Systems’ powerful additive manufacturing (AM) software, 3DXpert. With the addition of the upcoming AgieCharmilles CUT AM 500 machine, designed for the removal of build plates for additive manufacturing, the DMP Flex 350 is made to handle R&D projects and high-volume production alike.
Also at GF Solutions Days 2019, visitors were able to see the debut of the new AgieCharmilles CUT C 350 that offers GF Machining Solutions customers high quality at a cost-effective $99,000 price point. Featuring optimized cutting speeds and reliable accuracy, the new CUT C model also simplifies programming with its equipped AC CUT HMI 2 system and on-board EDM expert modules.
At the rededicated Microlution facility, visitors also had the opportunity to experience the new ML-10, which expands upon the industry’s leading ML-5 laser micromachining platform. The perfect femtosecond solution for industries ranging from automotive to medical, the ML-10 extends GF Machining Solutions’ range to ensure all manufacturers have the machines they need to succeed. For tube-cutting applications, the company also introduced its MLTC model, an ultrafast Laser that provides medical-industry manufacturers with exceptionally precise holemaking in metal and polymer tubes.
In addition to its new technologies, GF Machining Solutions hosted a number of presentations by the company’s experts, including seminars on Milling, Additive Manufacturing and 3DXpert, EDM, consumables, System 3R Automation, Laser micromachining and Laser texturing. New machines were accompanied by numerous other examples of the company’s advanced machine tool technology, including the Mikron HSM 200U LP, Mikron MILL P 500 U and Mikron MILL P 900 milling machines; the AgieCharmilles FORM P 350 sinker EDM with System 3R Transformer; the AgieCharmilles DRILL 20 and AgieCharmilles CUT P 550 wire EDM models; the AgieCharmilles LASER P 400 U fs and AgieCharmilles LASER S 1000 U Laser texturing systems; and the Microlution MLDS micromachining machine.
About GF Machining Solutions
GF Machining Solutions is the world’s leading provider of machine tools, diverse technical solutions and services to manufacturers of precision molds and tooling and of tight-tolerance, precision-machined components. The key segments we serve include the aerospace, automotive, medical, energy, information and communications technology (ICT) and electronics industries. Our extensive portfolio ranges from Electrical Discharge Machining (EDM) solutions, three- and five-axis Milling machines and Spindles, Laser texturing machines, Additive Manufacturing and machines for Laser micromachining to solutions for Tooling, Automation, Software and Digitalization—all backed by unrivaled Customer Services and support. GF Machining Solutions is a globally acting Division of the Georg Fischer Group (Switzerland) and maintains a presence at 50 locations worldwide. Its 3,394 employees generated sales of CHF 1,066 million in 2018.
