Wire EDM Series Designed for Ease of Use, Flexibility

Photo Credit: GF Machining Solutions

The first model of the Cut F series of wire EDMs, the Cut F 600, from GF Machining Solutions is available. The Cut F 600 balances precision with productivity for ultra-accurate machining and high surface capability. Designed for ease of use and flexibility, it features the Uniqua control, ISPS and iWire intelligent functions and RFID Smart Wire system, along with design improvements for thermal stabilization, vibration control and machine movement precision.

The iWire function of the Cut F 600 automatically identifies and adapts wire speed to changing erosion height conditions during the wire EDM process. This capability eliminates wire breakage while reducing overall wire consumption per job, in some instances by as much as 29%. The iWire function works in tandem with the company’s Intelligent Spark Protection System (ISPS), both of which are part of the Uniqua control.

Moreover, iWire can not only recognize exactly where the sparks of a wire EDM are happening during the process, it can also measure and identify the position of each spark along the length of an EDM’s wire. Knowing the exact location of a spark enables iWire to automatically adapt the wire spool speed accordingly. RFID Smart wire spools store wire characteristics traceability-related data.

For increased precision machine movement, vibration control and overall process stability, the Cut F Series machines provide cooling of axis optical encoders using the worktank and the dielectric fluid. The other design change is the incorporation of higher accuracy machine ballscrews that improve both positioning accuracy and smoothness.

The Cut F 600’s Uniqua human-machine interface (HMI) features a 19" vertical touchscreen, full keyboard and mouse. It supports legacy file types from various EDM manufacturers, and with offline and at-the-machine programming, ISO-based functionality and object-oriented programming, Uniqua provides a powerful graphic tool with integrated CAM and also ensures compatibility with major CAD/CAM programs.