GF Machining Solutions, the EDM, 3- and 5-axis milling and laser texturing machine tool specialist and automation and tooling system supplier, will be showcasing a range of its advanced technology solutions on its stand at MACH 2018 (Hall 20 Stand 460).
To do this the company will be exhibiting six machines on the stand - all of them proven market-leaders, with a number of them making their MACH debuts at this year’s event.
The machines comprise - two AgieCharmilles wire EDM machines (a CUT P 550 and a CUT 1000); two Mikron 5-axis machining centres (a MILL P 500U and a HSM 200U LP); an AgieCharmilles FORM P 350 EDM die-sink machine integrated with a System 3R WorkPartner 1+ automation system, and an AgieCharmilles LASER P 400 laser texturing machine.
In addition to the six ‘physical’ machines on the stand, GF Machining Solutions’ product, technical and customer service staff will be available throughout the Show to talk to visitors about the company’s pedigree and prowess in delivering advanced manufacturing solutions to customers. These solutions include:
• Micro-machining
• Additive Manufacturing
• Dedicated 5-axis machining of turbine blades, impellers, blisks etc.
The machines on view: Wire EDM
1. AgieCharmilles CUT P 550
GF Machining Solutions’ CUT P series of advanced wire EDM machines provide precision component manufacturers and mould makers with improved accuracies and repeatability’s, cutting speeds and process reliability.
At the heart of the CUT P 550 machine is a new, intelligent IPG (Intelligent Power Generator) that improves cutting performance (from previous models) by an impressive 20%.
The machine also features a number of ‘onboard’ automation solutions that improve machine tool utilisation and uptime as well as reducing operational costs. These include the machine’s new and innovative Automatic Slug Management (ASM) and Automatic Slug Welding (ASW) capabilities.
The CUT P 550 is equipped with sophisticated thermo-stabilisation technology (delivering accuracies down to down to 2 µm and surface finishes down to Ra 0.08 µm); Advanced taper cutting accuracy via its EXPERT systems, and improved energy-saving ECONOWATT functionality.
The CUT P 550 will be showcased along with another innovative development from GF Machining Solutions in the area of consumables that specifically concerns SMART wire technology. This new technology features EDM wire embedded with radio frequency (RFID) chips that helps minimise human error (in identifying the correct wire), and improve process quality and reliability, stock and process traceability and part cost calculation.
2. AgieCharmilles CUT 1000
GF Machining Solutions’ AgieCharmilles CUT 1000 takes ultra high-accuracy wire EDM machining to a new dimension by eliminating potential pitch and positioning errors and, as a consequence, is ideal for micro-machining applications.
The machine features a number of quality- and productivity-enhancing features that include an exclusive Automatic Wire Changer (AWC) that enables, via its two wire spool configuration, the ability to automatically change between large and small diameter wires for main cuts and finishing passes. This facility is further exploited by the machine’s reliable wire threading (THREADING EXPERT) capability.
Other productivity and precision boosting features include the onboard Job Management System that allows manufacturers to insert urgent jobs quickly and easily in the machines production schedule, and an Integrated Vision Unit (IVU Advance) that speeds-up pre-setting operations and performs in-process measurement and scanning of the machined contour to ensure absolute accuracy.
The machines on view: 5-axis machining centres
1. Mikron MILL P 500U
The Mikron MILL P 500U is a ultra high-performance (simultaneous) 5-axis machining centre that offers powerful and dynamic material removal capabilities, thermal stability and high stiffness, to deliver unrivalled precision and surface finish on complex parts.
The Mikron MILL P 500 U features a thermo-stable and symmetrical design - so that even when machining at a fast pace and over long production periods, accuracy and process reliability remain high and consistent.
The machine delivers fast acceleration (1.7g) and is equipped with a powerful 36kW Step-Tec motor spindle that enables the machine to get down to business fast. Direct angle measuring systems are mounted on the machine’s rotary and tilting axes to guarantee high positional and repeatable accuracies.
The MILL P 500U provides manufacturers with exceptional competitiveness by integrating smart automation and ensuring process reliability.
2. Mikron HSM 200U LP
The Mikron HSM 200U LP (5-axis) machine brings speed, efficiency, precision and superior surface finishes to the machining of small, complex components, including medical implants and other highly detailed parts.
The machine can produce workpieces via true 5-axis simultaneous high-speed machining and features linear motor technology in the main machine axes and optimised direct-drive motors for the B- and C- axes that result in high precision and part surface finishes down to Ra 0.05 µm. Furthermore, the machine’s powerful 50,000-rpm, Step-Tec spindle contributes to the machining of precise part details and excellent surface finishes.
The machines on view: Die-Sink EDM
1. AgieCharmilles FORM P 350 with System 3R WorkPartner 1+ automation system
From faster rib machining to micro-machining, the AgieCharmilles FORM family of Die-Sink EDM solutions is evidence of GF Machining Solutions’ continued and significant investments to advance Die-Sink technology.
The result of this drive and commitment is the AgieCharmilles FORM series of machines that deliver unrivalled performance irrespective of the electrode material used or preferred (copper or graphite).
Perfectly repeatable machining of micro-cavities is just one example of the manufacturing challenges that are resolved with the FORM P 350, and innovative (integrated) technologies such as iGAP ensures the fast and accurate machining of rib cavities with a superior and homogenous surface finish
Manufacturers requiring maximum and productive of their FORM P 350 machine can exploit the machine’s eConnectivity and MTConnect features that enable them to stay informed of the machine’s status.
The FORM P 350 machine at MACH 2018 will be integrated with a System 3R WorkPartner 1+ automation system to demonstrate to visitors how easily a die-sink machine’s productivity and performance can be improved.
The machines on view: Laser Texturing
1. AgieCharmilles LASER P 400
Infinitely repeatable high performance and quality are key attributes of the AgieCharmilles LASER P 400, which is available in three- and five-axis versions.
The LASER P 400 is specifically designed for the production of small parts and mould inserts (in low volumes), and is supported by a fully digitalised process for machining complex parts. The machine is extremely versatile and can be used for texturing and engraving anything from watches and jewellery through to mould inserts and cutting tools etc
The machines combine the use of a femtosecond Laser with five-axis texturing capability, and is the first Laser texturing machine offering this innovation in a production-ready machine tool. Moreover, use of the femtosecond Laser means the textured materials do not go through a fusion stage, so the texturing operation delivers completely burr free results negating the need post-treatment operations.
Says Martin Spencer, GF Machining Solutions’ (UK), managing director:
“We are showcasing a comprehensive cross-section of advanced technology solutions to visitors.
“Few, if any, machine tool company can offer the depth and breadth of different (yet often complimentary) manufacturing technologies as GF Machining Solutions, and the six machines being exhibited demonstrates that we are a company going from strength to strength.
Germany 
