GF AgieCharmilles staff members will occupy Booth A110 at the MicroManufacturing and NanoManufacturing Conference, taking place March 28 and 29 at the Hynes Convention Center in Boston, MA. Manufacturing experts from the company will be on hand to discuss the latest trends in micro machining and nano-technology and how GF AgieCharmilles can help manufacturers achieve more in this growing market segment.
Conference attendees will learn how the company’s comprehensive application expertise and extensive product portfolio, which caters to the mold and tool making industry and manufacturers of precision components, can boost productivity and create highly accurate micro features and superior surface quality on workpieces of all sizes.
Electric Discharge Machines
GF AgieCharmilles offers a wide variety of wire cut and die-sinking EDM systems, enabling manufacturers to maximize throughput and increase their capabilities.
The CUT 2000 EDM machine with automatic wire changing capabilities is an ideal solution for the micro-machining arena. The machine accommodates wires as small as 0.002" in diameter to facilitate the production of micro parts and details.
Additionally, the CUT 2000 incorporates the highly efficient Intelligent Power Generator (IPG) and Variocut, to provide reliable machining of even the most complex parts and achieve surface finishes as fine as Ra 0.05µm.
With the automatic wire changer, operators can easily switch between wires of different sizes and materials, allowing optimization of both roughing and finishing operations. The most dramatic benefits occur when working with parts requiring use of a wire 0.004" or smaller in diameter.
High-Speed and High-Performance Milling Centers
When it comes to cutting speed, GF AgieCharmilles’ milling machines surpass conventional designs to deliver ultimate precision and supreme surface quality.
Ideal for micro-machining manufacturers, the MIKRON XSM 400U LP is an ultra high- speed 5-axis machining center. It achieves a rapid traverse rate of 100mpm on the X-, Y-, and Z-axis and up to 250rpm on the rotational axis and 150rpm on the swivel axis. The machine’s liquid cooled, linear direct drive motor technology allows for short setting times and high dynamic rigidity of the altitude control. Additionally, the linear direct drive combines with central oil lubrication to reduce friction-induced wear and ensure excellent, long-term precision.
With powerful vector spindles available at 30,000rpm, 42,000rpm, or 54,000rpm, the XSM 400U LP also provides excellent surface finish and part detail, while significantly reducing machining time for semi-finishing and finishing operations. The machine’s high dynamics and 1.7g acceleration help facilitate the reduction of non-productive time and help to maximize spindle utilization.
The XSM 400U LP's monobloc bridge design achieves high precision by maintaining a high level of rigidity. The machine’s polymer granite construction provides increased performance in the areas of vibration dampening and thermal stability, extending tool life and reducing operating cost.
Laser Ablation
With its laser ablation technology, GF AgieCharmilles enables micro-machining manufacturers to produce detailed and nuanced texturing, engraving, microstructuring, marking and labeling on 2D and 3D geometries. The company offers solutions that range from the entry-level 3-axis LASER 600 to the more advanced 5-axis LASER 1200.
Laser ablation represents a process that is faster, quieter, and more repeatable, flexible and environmentally friendly than conventional manual and chemical etching processes.