Fast, accurate, economical wire-cut EDM units

The machines have cutting speeds in excess of 400 mm2/min and enable manufacturers to use large (and cheaper) diameter wires for rough cutting operations. There are three machines in the FI CCS range - FI 240 CCS (1000 x 550 x 220 mm); FI 440 CCS (1200 x 700 x 400 mm); FI 640 CCS (1300 x 1000 x 510 mm). The ability to use bigger diameter wires reduces the number of cuts required to produce the finished part, enabling the FI CCS machines to achieve Ra 0.6 um surface finishes in 3 cuts and Ra 0.3 µm in just four cuts. That said, achieving Ra 0.1 µm is a standard capability. Such performance is possible even when machining complex tapers and, using GF AgieCharmilles 'QUADRAX' technology, enables manufacturers to achieve high precision taper cuts of 45° on tall workpieces (up to 510 mm tall on the FI 640 CCS machine). In addition, all FI CCS machines are equipped with ICP (Integrated Collision Protection) on X-, Y-, U- and V-axes, which means that rapid rates of 3 m/min can be achieved and maintained without the danger of unwanted and expensive collisions. Measurement cycles are said to be 300 per cent faster than competitor machines, and automatic threading cycles, using ThermoCut 2 Technology that eliminates the need to drain or fill the work tank (for workpieces up to 100 mm in height), make a 24-second spark-to-spark capability possible. The performance of the new machines meets both Nadcap and ISO 230-4 requirements, opening up new business opportunities in aerospace and medical component manufacture. The machines are also equipped with GF AgieCharmilles' Econowatt function. This energy-saving technology enables CCS machines to switch automatically to 'sleep mode' once machining operations have been completed, and reduces the amount of energy required to perform rough cuts (less than 8 kW), and less than 1 kW when the machine has switched to 'sleep mode'. Operational costs are also reduced on CCS machines by Econotec technology - which reduces wire consumption costs by up to 25 per cent when using 0.30 mm diameter wire - and by their improved filtration capabilities - which reduce filtration costs by 25 per cent.