Wire EDMs Provide Fast, Automatic Wire Threading

Available from Absolute Machine Tools, Accutex “Great Economy” (GE) wire EDMs combine high cutting speed and accuracy with automatic wire threading that provides fast submerged rethreading at the break point. When wire breakage occurs, rethreading takes place without dielectric draining or refilling, resulting in spark-to-spark times as fast as 15 sec., the supplier says. In addition, an air-driven wire-removal system disposes of waste wire of any length.

The GE EDMs are capable of cutting speeds as fast as 33.5 in²/hr. using 0.012" high-speed wire. The Accutex stable discharge (SD) master-powered servo control system promotes accuracy, repeatability and surface finish while minimizing the possibility of wire breakage. The Accutex Intelligent Discharge Unit is designed to maximize performance in changing workpiece thicknesses and water-flushing conditions, while a digital AC power supply facilitates high-speed, electrolysis-free machining.

The EDMs’ Accutex control features automatic corner control that analyzes cutting data, wire diameter, cutting angle and workpiece thickness and automatically determines parameters to maintain corner-cutting performance from roughing to finishing operations. The six-axis controller includes Z-axis positioning and five-axis simultaneous interpolation to enable processing of “turn and burn” applications. A rotary table and controller can be applied to both vertical and horizontal applications.