Wire EDM’s Thermal Compensation Maintains Positioning Accuracy

Methods Machine Tools, Inc. introduces the FANUC RoboCut α-CiB wire EDM series which includes the C400iB, C600iB and the larger C800iB. The EDMs are designed to deliver high accuracy via thermal displacement compensation to accommodate room temperature fluctuation. The company reports that the machines provide 0.0002" positioning accuracy and 0.0001" repeatability, even during long burns. A moving tank design also contributes to accuracy; unlike a moving-column design that can be susceptible to lower guide position inaccuracy due to pitch and yaw of the column, the column and lower arm are fixed so that the table and workpiece move instead of the column.

Accommodating a maximum workpiece size of 49.2" × 38.4" × 11.8" and 5,000 lbs, the C800iB is designed to for a range of applications including large molds, stamping dies and complex aerospace parts. This machine’s X-, Y- and Z-axis travels measure 31.50 " × 23.62" × 12.20"; U and V travels span ±3.937".

The FANUC 31i-WB CNC offers large program storage capacity and remote PC access from handheld or desktop devices. The control is equipped with FANUC’s iHMI (Intelligent Human Machine Interface) as well as Cut Linki 2.1 software, which enables remote monitoring of as many as 32 FANUC wire EDMs for consumables life, machine efficiency, utilization time and maintenance service.

A 3D Compensation Function reduces the need for indicating-in workpieces, enabling the operator to quickly measure the flatness of the workpiece. It automatically tilts the wire to make it perpendicular to the surface of the work, reducing setup time, Methods says. “Core Stitch" slug retention prevents slugs from dropping and eliminates the need for clamps, further increasing efficiency. Additionally, FANUC's Advanced Automatic Wire Feed System can thread through the kerf, which allows for full utilization of the Core Stitch feature, the company says.