GF Agie Charmilles Event Commemorates 60 Years of EDM Innovation

The machine’s compact footprint measures only 79.5 in x 80.5 in x 79 in yet has the room for ample X, Y, Z, U and V axis travels of 13.8 in, 8.66 in, 8.66 in, 13.8 in and 8.66 in, respectively, for accommodating workpieces up to 39.4 in long, 21.7 in wide and 8.66 in high.

The CUT 200 MS is equipped with its unique CC digital generator for perfect spark calibration, delivering fast cutting speeds and superior surface finishes. Steels, carbides, titanium and even PCD materials are efficiently cut while maintaining material integrity and hardness, and recast layers are practically non-existent, as well as any bluing that is often the case with titanium. Typical surface finishes as a result of the CC generator are Ra 0.1 micron and better.

Also on display was the 5-axis Mikron HPM 1350U high performance milling machine that featured a Siemens CNC and brings unique machining advantages to the aerospace industry. Available with a Siemens or Heidenhain CNC, the machine offers simultaneous five-axis machining, while also providing dynamic performance and high precision. By featuring linear motor technology for the rotary axis, the machine can produce large axis movements with unrestricted access, making it an ideal choice for heavy cutting and precise machining.

Built with a versatile milling tilt head and a 43.42 in diameter rotary table, the HPM 1350U handles loads up to 3,306.9 lb with a rotational speed up to 40 rpm. A direct drive high torque motor drives the milling head, ensuring faster and more dynamic machining with a 50 hp spindle output at 15,000 rpm with 142.349 ft-lb (193 Nm) of torque.

Additionally, the milling head is constructed to swivel up to 136 deg, and the swivel axis can be precisely indexed deg by deg. A hydraulic clamping device for the spindle allows boring and machining procedures to be performed from any position.

The machine is also outfitted with revolutionary Smart Machining Modules, which use sensors to allow machinists to utilize the Advanced Process System (APS) for monitoring and recording spindle vibrations. Designed to switch between vertical and horizontal multi-axis machining processes in 1.7 seconds, the HPM 1350U can accommodate a wide variety of applications, ranging from production type prismatic parts to complex tool and die work, in a single setup.

The HPM 1350U is suited with a standard 46-position tool magazine and the option of having a 30- or 92-tool magazine to further increase versatility in part production.

The Laser 1000 5-Axis Texturing System was shown with a pallet changer. This system provides a fully digitized manufacturing process that yields detailed and nuanced texturing, microstructuring, engraving, marking and labeling of 2D and 3D geometries.

The machine’s mapping system uses a pulsed laser to render the desired texturing. While chemical etching can only produce three to five layers, the company’s laser texturing technology can achieve 30 to 50 layers to provide a much higher level of detail. This allows for much greater creativity in part design across a wide variety of materials, including graphite, aluminum, copper, steel, carbide, brass and ceramics.

The Laser 1000 5Ax has two optical and five mechanical axes, housed in a cast iron body that achieves excellent absorption, stability and quality. Linear scales and rotary encoders ensure maximum accuracy. A 20 watt, Ytterbium pulsed fiber laser provides the heart of the machine, with a 50 watt option available to further boost capabilities.

The machine also comes standard with a programmable, tilting laser head, high-resolution camera with integrated illumination for fine positioning, integrated touch probe, dust exhaust, central lubrication system and lenses of varying focal strength. Two front-opening doors ensure easy loading and unloading of large parts via a crane.

In addition to being a faster and more precise means of producing textures with increased reliability, laser texturing offers pollutant-free operation, producing no fluids, slurry or chips. Dust particles produced by the process are automatically extracted by vacuum to guarantee a clean process. For increased productivity, the LASER 1000 5Ax easily integrates into an existing automation system or with an optional pallet changer.

GF AgieCharmilles, 560 Bond Street, Lincolnshire, IL 60069-4224, 800-282-1336, Fax: 847-913-5340, Gisbert.Ledvon@us.gfac.com, www.us.gfac.com.

To check out some more coverage of the GF Agie Charmilles event, follow us on the Vine app. Our username is ‘fabricating and metalworking’.