EDM (Electrical Discharge Machining)

GF AgieCharmilles is redefining the wire EDM process by making its third-generation Automatic Wire Changer available on the company's latest, high-performance CUT 2000 and CUT 3000 wire-cutting EDM machines.

Fine finishing with a wire EDM eliminates need for secondary operations.

Sodick Inc. is releasing the AD25L Sinker EDM. The AD25L Sinker EDM has a small footprint and can machine at high speeds.

Ken Baeszler, product manager at Agie Charmilles LLC, highlighted the automatic wire changer on the CUT 2000 wire EDMing machine during the company's 2011 Technology Days hosted in June at its facility in Lincolnshire, Ill. The CUT 2000 is said to be capable of achieving finishing quality up to Ra 0.05μm.

Gazing at the wide array of laser ablation, EDMing and 5-axis milling machines on display at GF AgieCharmilles' recent Technology Days 2011, it's easy to understand why the event attracted hundreds of customers from around the world. AgieCharmilles Form 20 sinker EDM debuts.

GF AgieCharmilles says its CUT 200 Wire EDM provides faster spark-to-spark wire threading, increases energy efficiency and boosts productivity when cutting parts of variable heights.

Better technology boosts use of EDMs for production applications.

Makino introduces their latest Ram EDM machinery, the new EDAF Series, featuring a new mechanical design for increased rigidity and reduced thermal distortion.

END USER: Prospect Mold Inc., (330) 929-3311, prospectmold.com. CHALLENGE: Reduce the time needed to cut grooves in a large mold. SOLUTION: Replace EDMing with endmilling. SOLUTION PROVIDER: OSG Tap & Die Inc., www.osgtool.com, (800) 837-2223

END USER: BH Tool, (801) 908-0707, www.bh-tool.com. CHALLENGE: Ensure gaging accuracy. SOLUTION: An edge-finding gage. SOLUTION PROVIDER: Haimer USA LLC, (866) 837-3265, www.haimer-usa.com

Ability to machine intricate geometries and hard materials drives growing use of wire EDM prototyping.

There are several ways EDM builders and machine shops can make micro-electrodes for sinker EDMs. One popular way is discharge dressing.