GF Machining Solutions plans to feature some of its latest advancements in tooling, automation and software from System 3R at IMTS 2024 (South Hall, booth 339458).
System 3R supplies productivity-enhancing tools and knowledge for the manufacturing industry, delivering complete solutions and services to world-class EDM, laser texturing, additive manufacturing and milling machines with tooling, automation and software systems backed with customer service and support.
The company said its modular tooling reference system minimizes setup times while maximizing spindle uptime for high output. Shops increase profitability by working smarter, not harder, with tooling systems for EDM and electrode manufacturing, parts production and powder compacting applications.
For 24/7 production, System 3R Automation offers scalable automation solutions. Among those are the company’s WorkPal 1, WorkPartner 1+, Transformer WorkMaster and Transformer 6-axis robot, all of which shorten lead times and maximize ROI, according to the company.
On the software side, System 3R’s solutions are user-friendly. Necessary data can be entered quickly and in a structured manner, giving users a quick, precise overview of their entire process chain. In addition to simpler, safer preparation of automatic cells, the company said various software solutions make information about workpieces, magazine positions, offset values and NC programs always readily available.
The company’s software portfolio packages include WorkShopManager, CellManager, EasyCellManager, CellManager Light and BatchBuilder. For seamless integration of all shop operations, WorkShopManager provides a quick and accurate overview of the complete process chain and management of the entire automation system.
CellManager is for one or up to 12 machines in a cell and supports different types of machines such as milling, sinker and wire EDM, laser, Coordinate Measuring Machines (CMM) and cleaning. EasyCell Manager applies to one to four machines, supporting milling and laser texturing only. EasyCellManager Light is for robotless systems encompassing one or as many as 12 machines in a cell with different types of machines such as milling, wire and sinker EDM, laser and CMM.
As an entry level software, BatchBuilder allows users to create job batches to run in their robot cells that have various types of milling, sinker and wire EDM, laser and CMM machines. Key benefits of the software include full process optimization, ease of use and added scheduling flexibility with process chain monitoring.
Related Glossary Terms
- electrical-discharge machining ( EDM)
electrical-discharge machining ( EDM)
Process that vaporizes conductive materials by controlled application of pulsed electrical current that flows between a workpiece and electrode (tool) in a dielectric fluid. Permits machining shapes to tight accuracies without the internal stresses conventional machining often generates. Useful in diemaking.
- gang cutting ( milling)
gang cutting ( milling)
Machining with several cutters mounted on a single arbor, generally for simultaneous cutting.
- lapping compound( powder)
lapping compound( powder)
Light, abrasive material used for finishing a surface.
- milling
milling
Machining operation in which metal or other material is removed by applying power to a rotating cutter. In vertical milling, the cutting tool is mounted vertically on the spindle. In horizontal milling, the cutting tool is mounted horizontally, either directly on the spindle or on an arbor. Horizontal milling is further broken down into conventional milling, where the cutter rotates opposite the direction of feed, or “up” into the workpiece; and climb milling, where the cutter rotates in the direction of feed, or “down” into the workpiece. Milling operations include plane or surface milling, endmilling, facemilling, angle milling, form milling and profiling.
- modular tooling
modular tooling
1. Tooling system comprised of standardized tools and toolholders. 2. Devices that allow rapid mounting and replacement of tools. Commonly used with carousel toolchangers and other computerized machining operations. See toolchanger; toolholder.
- numerical control ( NC)
numerical control ( NC)
Any controlled equipment that allows an operator to program its movement by entering a series of coded numbers and symbols. See CNC, computer numerical control; DNC, direct numerical control.
- wire EDM
wire EDM
Process similar to ram electrical-discharge machining except a small-diameter copper or brass wire is used as a traveling electrode. Usually used in conjunction with a CNC and only works when a part is to be cut completely through. A common analogy is wire electrical-discharge machining is like an ultraprecise, electrical, contour-sawing operation.
