Milling and EDM technologies provide balance of price and performance
For manufacturers attending EASTEC on May 14 – 16 in West Springfield, Mass. and seeking efficient, accurate and reliable parts production, GF AgieCharmilles will demonstrate milling machines, wire and sinker EDMs and hole drilling systems that provide high-performance, high-value machining capabilities. These machines, in GF AgieCharmilles’ booth 1236, will include the MIKRON HEM 500U milling machine, CUT 200 wire EDM, and FORM 20 sinker EDM.
With the development of these machines, GF AgieCharmilles has successfully achieved its price/performance goals through the company’s highly experienced and forward thinking design and engineering teams. These machines prove it is possible to maintain GF AgieCharmilles’ advanced machining technology while also providing it at lower pricing points for increased value.
Ideal for machining aluminum, alloy and steel parts, the 5-axis HEM 500U features a highly dynamic 12,000-rpm spindle and 30-tool magazine that provides a 2-second chipto-chip time for high-speed continuous milling operations and increased spindle uptime. Additionally, a 20,000-rpm spindle and 60-tool changer are available.
The machine’s trunnion table measures 19.7” (500 mm) in diameter and accommodates workpiece weights up to 440 lbs. (200 kg). It tilts +50 mm/-110 mm in the B-axis and rotates 360 degrees in C for 3 + 2 machining as well as 5-side positioning. Axis travels in X, Y and Z measure 19.7” (500 mm), 17.7” (450 mm) and 15.7” (400 mm), respectively, while a distance of 5.9” (150 mm) between the machine spindle nose and rotary table surface allows for ample maneuverability around workpieces.
The HEM 500U relies on a new Heidenhain iTNC 530 control for quick and reliable machining. This versatile, workshop-oriented control for 5 (3+2) axis machining features an integrated digital drive control with integrated inverter, enabling it to produce a highly accurate workpiece contour while machining at high velocity. The HEM 500U also comes equipped with smart machining modules that provide advanced levels of monitoring critical to part production.
Like the HEM 500U, GF AgieCharmilles’ CUT 200 wire EDM provides incredible speed and performance as well as high levels of quality and productivity. All of which gives manufacturers in industries such as aerospace, mold and die, medical and contract machining the ability to better control production costs.
With a machine design that delivers versatility and high precision, the CUT 200 features extremely fast axis speeds and quick wire threading that reduce non-cut times. GF AgieCharmilles’ latest generation of spark generators allows the machine to cut up to speeds of 38”2/hour and up to 30-degree tapers in the Z-axis height, while also producing superior part surface finishes. Additionally, energy saving functionality and advanced software help further reduce operational costs and provide increased system connectivity.
To help shops further control production costs, GF AgieCharmilles Econowatt modules within the CUT 200 help conserve energy by managing the electrical power of the machine. When machining operations have finished, for instance, or are interrupted, the system automatically switches off certain machine components such as pumps or lights to lower the machine’s minimum energy consumption to less than 1 kW. The system can then also be programmed to automatically restart those components at certain times of the day or turn them on prior to the start of the day to have the machine thermally stabilized and ready to run when operators arrive.
On the sinker EDM side, the brand new FORM 20 provides the industry’s best price-toperformance ratio and also boasts outstanding connectivity capability, overall enhanced performance and a modern compact design. The machine meets the cost-effective part production needs of manufacturing industries that include general mold and die, aerospace, automotive and communications technology.
The FORM 20 is one of the first machines available with new, recently developed AC Form HMI (human machine interface) CNC that centers on user friendliness and intuitiveness to significantly shorten the learning curve for beginner EDM operators. The machine excels in burning deep ribs in such parts as mold cores.
Additionally, as Windows-based platforms, the FORM 20 seamlessly integrates into workshop management systems. Other advanced features, including GF AgieCharmilles’ eConnect, eSupervision and eTracking, further boost machine functionality for process control and outside system connectivity.
At the heart of the FORM 20 is GF AgieCharmilles’ proprietary, high-end Intelligent Power Generator (IPG) with available IQ zero electrode wear technology. With every machine pulse, the 70-amp generator on the FORM 20 continuously optimizes the EDM process and dramatically reduces electrode wear/cost as well as provides extremely uniform surface finishes. The machine reliably generates surface finishes of Ra 0.1 micron and radii down to 0.0007”.
About GF AgieCharmilles:
GF AgieCharmilles is the North American leading supplier of laser texturing solutions, wire EDM, CNC and manual diesinking systems and high speed/high performance 3- and 5-axis milling machines.
For more information, please visit:
http://www.gfac.com/us
or email Gisbert Ledvon:
Gisbert.Ledvon@us.gfac.com
