High-Speed Milling of Small, Complex Parts
GF AgieCharmilles' Mikron HSM 200U LP (linear performance) milling machine is said to increase speed, efficiency, precision.

Sixty Years in Perspective
This supplier has grown and changed along with the technology it provides.

Five-Axis Machine for Continuous Milling
GF AgieCharmilles’ five-axis HEM 500U features a dynamic 12,000-rpm spindle and 30-tool magazine providing a chip-to-chip time of 2 sec.

Sixty Years of EDM
GF AgieCharmilles has been involved in EDM technology for some 60 years now. Its recent International Technology Show in Losone, Switzerland was a good place to sense the history and current status of this technology.

GF AgieCharmilles ITS
Guests from around the world gathered at GF AgieCharmilles’ main building in Losone, Switzerland, for the company’s International Technology Show, March 19-23, 2013. More than 700 users attended the event.

Five-Axis Machine for Aerospace, Defense
The high-efficiency Mikron HEM 500U from GF AgieCharmilles provides five-axis capabilities for accurate and reliable parts production.

GF AgieCharmilles Opens Training Academy
The facility will serve existing employees.

High Speed Milling Machine for Small, Complex Parts
The Mikron HSM 200U LP milling machine from GF AgieCharmilles is available in three- and five-axis versions.

Three-Axis VMC for Medium- to Large-Sized Parts
The Mikron HEM 800 three-axis VMC from GF AgieCharmilles is designed for high-precision production of medium- to large-sized parts for industries ranging from aerospace to electronics to die and mold.

Commonwealth Center for Advanced Manufacturing Welcomes Hermle, AgieCharmilles
Hermle Machine Company (Gosheim, Germany) and GF AgieCharmilles (Lincolnshire, Illinois) have joined the Commonwealth Center for Advanced Manufacturing (CCAM), headquartered in Prince George County, Virginia.

GF AgieCharmilles Marks 60-Year Milestone
GF AgieCharmilles is celebrating 60 years of continuous product development in electrical discharge machining (EDM). Founded in Switzerland with North American headquarters in Lincolnshire, Ill., the company began EDM research and development for industrial applications in 1952, which led to the company’s first die-sinking EDM in 1954 and the launch of the world’s first numerically controlled wire-EDM in 1969.

Moving in with a Customer
Shop owner Chris Nachtmann has established a close relationship with one of his biggest customers. In fact, he moved his operation inside that customer’s facility a couple years ago. Now, he’s making greater strides to invest in and grow his business.

GF AgieCharmilles Marks 60-Year Milestone
The company's latest offerings include new sinker and hole-drilling EDMs.

EDM Economizes Stamping Tool Production
High part volumes tend to be the norm for providers of stamping services, but the nearly 1 billion electrical contact connectors produced last year at Scenic Tool and Stamping aren’t such typical fare.

GF AgieCharmilles Becomes a CCAM Member
As part of its membership to the Commonwealth Center for Advanced Manufacturing (CCAM), GF AgieCharmilles supplied the Prince George County facility with an FO 550 sp die-sinking EDM.

Additive and Subtractive Together
At the recent International Manufacturing Technology Show in Chicago, EOS and machine tool maker GF AgieCharmilles demonstrated additive and subtractive processes working together to produce a titanium tibial tray for knee implants.

Three-Part Industry Focus Marks AgieCharmilles Booth
GF AgieCharmilles, a provider of wire and die-sinking electrical discharge machining (EDM) systems, thee- and five-axis milling machines and laser texturing technology, is showcasing how it can help a manufacturing company improve its part processing in Booth S-8754.

Agie Charmilles Opens New Facility
The new competence center is located in Lincolnshire, Illinois.

Kennametal CEO Elected Chairman of MAPI Board
The Manufacturers Alliance for Productivity and Innovation is a business research and executive education organization.

EDM Drill Penetrates Tough Materials
Designed to improve flexibility in mass-production environments, GF AgieCharmilles’ Drill 300 EDM drill is capable of machining holes in various diameters and workpiece materials.

Solution for Micro- and Macro-Machining
Suitable for both micro- and macro-machining applications, GF AgieCharmilles’ Mikron HPM 450U is a high-performance milling solution with a rotary/tilt table.

Fixtures Dovetail with Five-Axis Automation
Along with an in-house-designed line of custom dovetail fixtures, machines with the right features for automation provide benefits for both this five-axis specialist and its customers.

Die Sinker EDM Features Rotary Tool Changer
GF AgieCharmilles’ Form 200 mS die sinker EDM machine features a modular, rotary tool changer for increased flexibility and lights-out, micromachining applications.

Automatic Wire EDM Efficiently Machines Micro Parts
GF AgieCharmilles’ Cut 2000 EDM features automatic wire-changing capabilities and is said to be well-suited for micromachining applications.

GF AgieCharmilles to Exhibit at Spacecraft Tech Expo
In support of the growing spacecraft technologies sector, GF AgieCharmilles (Lincolnshire, Illinois) will present its latest high speed, high-precision Mikron milling machines at the upcoming Spacecraft Technology Expo, which is scheduled for May 8-10 at the Los Angeles Convention Center.  Models on display will include the HSM 400U LP, HPM 800U HD and HPM 1350U five-axis machining centers.The company says these multi-axis machines’ precision, speed and surface quality capabilities are useful for manufacturers of satellites and associated instruments that continue to get lighter and smaller.

Auto EDM Wire Changers Compete at the High End
Automatic EDM wire-change capability can improve efficiency and reduce costs for high-end tool and die work, especially parts with small internal radii.

Five-Axis Mill Features Linear Motor Technology
The Mikron HSM 600U LP high-speed milling center from GF AgieCharmilles uses linear motor technology to provide simultaneous five-axis, high-speed machining.

Laser Ablation Center Provides Detailed Machining
The Laser 5Ax laser ablation center from GF AgieCharmilles is designed for detailed and nuanced texturing, micro-structuring, engraving, marking and labeling.

Auto Wire Changer Optimizes Wire EDM Process
The third generation of automatic wire changers is available for GF AgieCharmilles’ CUT 2000 and CUT 3000 wire-cutting EDM machines.

Event Exposes Students to Manufacturing Careers
To mark the occasion of its 25th anniversary, dgs Marketing Engineers hosted a mid-November educational event that exposed 25 Indianapolis-area high school students—one for each year the manufacturing-industry communications agency has been in business—to potentially lucrative manufacturing careers.   Titled “Connect with Manufacturing,” the event took place at Shelton Machinery, a Mazak distributor in Fishers, Indiana.

GF AgieCharmilles Partners With Alicona
Machine tool and automation services provider GF AgieCharmilles (Lincolnshire, Illinois) has joined forces with optical 3D measurement solution supplier Alicona (Bartlett, Illinois).   The worldwide collaboration began with 3D laser texturing when GF AgieCharmilles wanted a solution that could scan and digitize natural textures, such as leather or silk, for reproduction on a mold.

Cell Controller Boosts Production Flexibility
By serving as the “brains” of a cell consisting of two machining centers and a work delivery system, cell control software from Erowa helps this manufacturer run lights-out 24/7 and achieve 90-percent spindle utilization.

Laser Sintering and EDM: Complementary Processes?
An EDM machine from GF AgieCharmilles proves effective in separating laser-sintered parts from their base plate.

A Novel EDM Application
GF AgieCharmilles designed the FO 550 SP die-sinking EDM, the company probably never imagined it would be used like this.

Agie Presents Tech Demos, Seminars
GF AgieCharmilles treated attendees to technology demonstrations on its latest equipment as well as technical education seminars and training sessions at Technology Days 2011, a two-day event in late June.

EDM, Five-Axis Milling Technologies
The CUT 200 wire EDM is designed to provide faster spark-to-spark wire threading, increase energy efficiency and boost productivity when cutting parts of variable heights.

Special High-Temp Alloys Spark Interest in EDM
Today’s wire EDM technology preserves the surface integrity of proprietary titanium alloys and other high-temperature materials, so aerospace and medical applications using this process are booming.

EDM Energy Conservation Without the Effort
Most machine tool energy conservation systems simply track power consumption, placing the burden of actually reducing energy use on manufacturers. GF AgieCharmilles aims to change that with the EconoWatt II, an automated system for wire EDM.

Harry Moser Honored by “Industry Week”
Harry Moser has been named as one of the 2010 inductees into “Industry Week’s” Manufacturing Hall of Fame.

Five-Axis Mill Features Linear Motor Technology
The HSM 400U LP high speed milling machine from AgieCharmilles is designed to provide simultaneous five-axis, high speed machining and deliver powerful performance and precision.

Tips for Controlling Oxidation and Pitting on a Wire EDM
Additives, machine settings, workpiece materials and current technology are factors in avoiding common problems with unwanted rust and surface defects.

Wire EDM Improves Throughput, Surface Finish
This manufacturer insulates itself from global competitors by focusing on high-quality products across a range of industries. Just as important, however, is routine investment in new technology. The company’s latest acquisition, the AC Progress VP2 wire EDM from GF AgieCharmilles, has significantly reduced cycle time and improved throughput on the company’s precision stamping dies.

Find Your Speed Outside of Machining
This short-lead-time mold shop achieves its most significant time savings by looking outside the machining cycle. However, one of those elements outside the cycle—palletized setup—ultimately led to cycle time savings via five-axis machining.

Surface Texturing with Laser Ablation
Much of a product’s appeal to the consumer has to do with its look and feel—literally, the texture of its visible surface.

Wire EDM for Micromachining Applications
The new CUT 1000 OilTech wire EDM was designed for micromachining and other precision applications.

GF AgieCharmilles To Participate In Re-Shoring Fair
GF AgieCharmilles (Lincolnshire, Illinois) announced its participation in the 2010 NTMA/PMA Contract Manufacturing Purchasing Fair, also known as the Re-Shoring Fair.

Aluminum Molds In Three Weeks Or Less
While aluminum molds are commonly used to create prototypes or to serve as stopgap bridge tooling, they are starting to receive greater attention for production work. This shop’s approach to creating aluminum molds in one day to three weeks is the same for each of these situations.

Wire-Cut EDM For Oil Dielectric
GF AgieCharmilles’ CUT 1000 OilTech wire-cut EDM is designed for precision machining of materials better-suited to oil dielectric than water-based dielectric. The EDM is equipped with built-in thermo stabilization.

Integrated Pallet Changer
Designed for high-precision applications in the tool and mold industry, GF AgieCharmilles says its Mikron HSM 300 MoldMaster offers quality surface finishes and high accuracy while also ensuring time-optimized high-speed cutting conditions. The machine includes features and benefits of the company’s GraphiteMaster line, a product consolidation that enables users to choose between MoldMaster (MM) and GraphiteMaster (GM) configurations, increasing flexibility in the job shop.

High-Speed, High Performance Medical Machining
 GF AgieCharmilles’ Mikron HSM 400U ProdMed is a high-speed, high-performance machining center that is especially suited for medical manufacturing. The center includes a Heidenhain iTNC 530 control system and smart machining modules that provide advanced levels of monitoring critical to the production of medical implants and equipment, the company says. The system allows the machine to automatically check and evaluate tools and workpieces, inspect tools for breakage and perform measurements of the workpiece.

EDM, Five-Axis Machine Designed For Productivity
 The FO350 S ram EDM is said to increase productivity and enable fine, shiny surface finishes. The FO350S works in "blade" type applications and pre-roughed 3D cavities. It is designed with a double thermostabilization system that prevents the impact of temperature variations, allowing for maximum accuracy.

Simultaneous Five-Axis Machining
The Mikron HSM 400U is said to deliver powerful performance and precision on all five axes to produce high-quality surface finishes for demanding high-precision applications. Designed to accommodate workpieces ranging to 9. 05" × 13.

Integrated Pallet Changer Enables Continuous Operation
GF Agie Charmilles’ Mikron HSM 300 MoldMaster now includes the features and benefits of the company’s GraphiteMaster line. According to the company, the product consolidation enables users to choose between MoldMaster and GraphiteMaster configurations, increasing flexibility in the job shop. The mill features fast linear axes and a 30,000-rpm, high-frequency spindle.

Optimize Machine Performance(2)
GF AgieCharmilles’ operator support system (OSS) automatically configures cutting parameters to optimize machine performance based on specific job requirements. The system is standard on the company’s high speed and high-performance machining centers. OSS provides users with an intuitive interface for entering data that is used to tailor machining processes.

GF Agie Charmilles Debuts Cut 20 Wire EDM
GF AgieCharmilles has announced the debut of the CUT 20, an innovative wire-cutting EDM that combines outstanding performance with remarkable ease of use. The CUT 20 handles wire diameters from . 15 to .

GF AgieCharmilles Announces FORM 20/30 Diesinking EDM
The newest innovation in GF AgieCharmilles' extensive range of diesinking EDM machines is the FORM 20/30, a cost-effective solution that combines ease of use with exceptional performance. Offering consistent reliability, the FORM 20/30 ensures high rigidity, good interference and reduced setup times. Constructed with an ultra rigid cast iron C-frame and cross-table design, the FORM 20/30 guarantees stiffness and is suited to withstand the temperature fluctuations found in the standard workshop environment.

GF AgieCharmilles Donates to Carbonfund.org on Behalf of IMTS Attendees
GF AgieCharmilles has announced that it has made a donation to Carbonfund. org on behalf of all IMTS attendees who picked up a Carbonfund. org wristband from the company's booth.

GF AgieCharmilles Offers New OSS Smart Machining Feature
GF AgieCharmilles? OSS (Operator Support System) automatically configures cutting parameters to optimize machine performance based on specific job requirements. Standard on any high-speed or high-performance machining center, OSS provides users with an intuitive interface for entering data that is then used to tailor machining processes. When using OSS, operators are asked to rank the relative priority of a job's accuracy, cutting time and surface quality.

Exploring Niches With New EDM Technologies
A shop specializing in wire EDM for large mold components now offers EDM “turning” of small, intricate parts. Despite the potential risks involved in early adoption of new technologies, the shop believes this practice gives it a leg-up on the competition and lets it gain experience with alternative machining techniques before offering them to customers.

Wire-Cutting EDM Accommodates New Users

VMC Offers 20,000-rpm Spindle

Diesinking EDM Withstands Temperature Fluctuations

Wire EDM Works With Dual Wire Spools

Wire EDM Works With Dual Wire Spools(2)

Customizable EDM Features Smart Wire Threading And More

Machining Center Accomodates Large Workpieces

High Speed Wire EDM

Switch From Vertical To Horizontal Processes In Seconds

Software For Total Process Management

Graphite Mill Features Dust Extraction

How To Handle Tall Wire EDM Work
Modular workpiece fixturing plays a vital role in this shop’s quest to win larger, more difficult wire EDM jobs.

Eliminating Benchwork For Large Mold Surfaces
EDM dielectric additives can subtract labor costs for mold makers by eliminating the need for secondary hand polishing.

Plug-And-Play EDM
This ram EDM unit was designed with a number of EDM "reduction" trends in mind-reduced floorspace requirements, rate of electrode wear and operation learning curve.

Five-Axis Machining Center For Automated Production

Accomplish Fine Surface Finishes With Fewer Skim Cuts

Machining Center Has Scalable Tool Storage Tower And More

A Solution To Automated Production Demands

Incremental Automation Pays Dividends
While successful mold makers agree that automation is necessary to remain competitive, they often have different opinions about how to integrate automation. This mold maker does it in gradual phases, and in doing so, it drives shopfloor workers to roles of greater responsibility.

High Speed Wire Cutting Needs High Efficiency Filtration
High speed cutting with wire electrical discharge machining produces debris in the dielectric at a high rate. Without effective filtration, a wire machine quickly loses its ability to maintain high cutting speed, achieve the desired surface finish and obtain expected dimensional accuracy. Charmilles' approach to solving this problem has been to develop a filtration system that doubles the number of filter cartridges, from two to four.

EDM Machines Help Shop Accomplish High Precision Work
Realizing the need to improve maintenance of dies and molds, this company purchased a ram EDM from Charmilles.

High Speed Vertical Machining Center

Program Brings New Levels Of Machining Efficiency

Machining Centers(2)

CNC Die Sinker

Submerged Wire EDM

Wire EDM Gets An Automatic
The development of automatic 'tool' changing for wire electrical discharge machining promises to revise the process strategies applied to many wirecut workpieces.

High Speed In Simultaneous Five-Axis Machining
In mold and die work, simultaneous five-axis machining is a proven technology, as is high speed machining (HSM). High speed simultaneous five-axis machining, however, is still a pioneering development.

Machining To Sub-Micron Accuracy--With EDM
Electrical discharge machining (EDM) has a long tradition of being one of the most pioneering of metalworking technologies. Shops with EDM learned (by necessity) to deal with unattended operation long before it became feasible elsewhere.

Trends In EDM
Electrical discharge machines, both wire and ram type, have undergone rapid improvements in capability, economical operation, speed and flexibility. New applications are continually emerging as shops discover the advantages of this process.

Fine Wire Is Just Fine
As parts get smaller and smaller, using EDM wire as small as 0.001 inch in diameter to cut these workpieces becomes an attractive option—actually, the only option.

Unattended, Short-Run Production Work Spurs EDM Shop's Growth, Productivity
The move into shortrun production projects is changing Advanced Machining's product mix, and Bobby Miller, Advanced's other co-owner, says it's good to be making this transition. The shop continues to receive custom, oneofakind jobs, but it's also garnering an increasing number of productiontype jobs that demand attention only until the first successful production parts come off. The latter situation is attractive, Mr. Miller explains, because at this point, it's just a matter of letting the machine run to process the parts.

New Wire EDM System Enhances Mold Maker's Capabilities
When Osley and Whitney, Inc. (Westfield, Massachusetts) decided to upgrade its wire EDM (electrical discharge machining) capabilities, the company had several problems it wanted to solve. Osley and Whitney, a 48-year-old plastic injection moldbuilding company with 68 employees, serves automotive, automotive aftermarket, consumer, sporting goods and office machine companies.

Installing That First EDM
This shop did it right. Their experiences provide useful guidelines for successfully installing a wire machine in a shop new to EDM.

From Wire To Ram EDM With Success
Find out here how this Windsor, Ontario, job shop made a big move to ram EDM successfully.

Job Shop Doubles Production With Wire EDM
MIE rests its reputation on its ability to machine large parts quickly using GFAGIECHilles Technologies' ROBOFIL 300 and its newest wire EDM machine with a Fanuc control, the ROBOFIL 510F, Mr. McGrail said.

Wired For Productivity
This shop successfully mixes high volume production jobs with prototype work by concentrating on high performance wire EDM.

Automated Wire EDM In Action
From the ground up, this new shop was built around the concept of fully automated, fully palletized wire EDM.

Need For Change Brings Unexpected Benefits
This manufacturing company was faced with a dilemma common to many companies in today's manufacturing environment. Change their process to include CNC or lose valuable customers.

A New Angle On Wire EDM
This Dallas-based job shop specializes in the fabrication of very high taper pieces in stainless steel and aluminum. Often involved in larger profile work, they faced a challenge not uncommon in EDM: the tendency for some cutting wires to break.

• Video: Palletization and Five-Axis Machining in a Mold Shop

  Die Tech & Engineering describes how palletization and five-axis machining work together to deliver efficiency.