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The new, affordable AccuteX "Great Economy" (GE) Wire EDMs from Absolute Machine Tools, advertised at $89,000, reportedly combine high cutting speed and accuracy. The line also features automatic wire threading (AWT) that provides fast submerged rethreading at the break point. When wire breakage occurs, rethreading takes place without dielectric drainage/refilling, resulting in spark-to-spark times as low as 15 seconds. In addition, an exclusive air-driven wire removal system quickly disposes of waste wire of any length.
The GE machines are capable of 33.5"2/hr. cutting speeds using 0.012" high speed wire, and the AccuteX SD (Stable Discharge) Master-powered servo control system enhances accuracy, repeatability and surface finish while minimizing the possibility of wire breakage. The AccuteX Intelligent Discharge Unit is engineered to maximize performance in changing workpiece thicknesses and water flushing conditions. A digital AC power supply facilitates high speed, electrolysis free machining.
The in-house-developed AccuteX controller features Automatic Corner Control that analyzes cutting data, wire diameter, cutting angle and workpiece thickness to automatically determine parameters that will maintain the best corner cutting performance from roughing to finishing operations.
The GE machines' 6-axis controller includes Z-axis positioning and 5-axis simultaneous interpolation to enable processing of any "turn and burn" application. An in-house-designed rotary table and controller can be applied to both vertical and horizontal applications.
Steve Ortner, president and owner of Absolute Machine Tools, said, "The AccuteX GE series EDM machines provide EDM productivity, accuracy and reliability at a price point that makes them very affordable for many shops that didn't previously believe they could take advantage of the wide and unique capabilities of EDM."
Related Glossary Terms
- cutting speed
cutting speed
Tangential velocity on the surface of the tool or workpiece at the cutting interface. The formula for cutting speed (sfm) is tool diameter 5 0.26 5 spindle speed (rpm). The formula for feed per tooth (fpt) is table feed (ipm)/number of flutes/spindle speed (rpm). The formula for spindle speed (rpm) is cutting speed (sfm) 5 3.82/tool diameter. The formula for table feed (ipm) is feed per tooth (ftp) 5 number of tool flutes 5 spindle speed (rpm).
- 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.
- interpolation
interpolation
Process of generating a sufficient number of positioning commands for the servomotors driving the machine tool so the path of the tool closely approximates the ideal path. See CNC, computer numerical control; NC, numerical control.
- threading
threading
Process of both external (e.g., thread milling) and internal (e.g., tapping, thread milling) cutting, turning and rolling of threads into particular material. Standardized specifications are available to determine the desired results of the threading process. Numerous thread-series designations are written for specific applications. Threading often is performed on a lathe. Specifications such as thread height are critical in determining the strength of the threads. The material used is taken into consideration in determining the expected results of any particular application for that threaded piece. In external threading, a calculated depth is required as well as a particular angle to the cut. To perform internal threading, the exact diameter to bore the hole is critical before threading. The threads are distinguished from one another by the amount of tolerance and/or allowance that is specified. See turning.
