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https://news.thomasnet.com/fullstory/gf-machining-solutions-presents-agiecharmilles-cut-c-350-microlution-ml-10-and-mltc-and-dmp-flex-350-at-2019-solutions-days-40024931

GF Machining Solutions has expanded its Service and Customer Services departments with additional personnel.

Raymond Barringer, Field Service Engineer, worked as a field service technician with Auma Actuators for 15 years. A U.S. Navy veteran, he served as a nuclear mechanic and earned a Naval Nuclear Power Training Certificate. He also holds a PLC Programming Certificate from the Community College of Allegheny County.

Kody Hawk, Field Service Engineer, brings a diverse background in automotive technology and in the public sector to his work for the Central Region of GF Machining Solutions. He holds a diploma in automotive maintenance and repair from the South-Western Career Academy. He will work remotely in the Central Region.

Gregory Hoskin, Field Service Engineer, formerly installed and maintained production machines as a millwright at Kennametal Stellite and has amassed 18 years of experience in the industry. Hoskin is a graduate of the Millwright Apprenticeship Program at Durham College.

Kevin Kieu, Field Service Engineer, applies 20 years of experience in the automobile industry as a certified technician, parts professional, mechanic and fabricator. For the Richard Petty Driving Experience, he worked on chassis for 600-HP NASCAR race cars and rebuilt a Richmont T-10 transmission. Kieu also served as chief mechanic and fabricator for the SP Engineering Supra-7, a 2JZ-GTE motor installed in an FD Mazda RX-7. He studied mechanical engineering at California State Polytechnic University. Kieu will work remotely in the Western Region.

Tyler Ryan has entered the GF Machining Solutions CNC Apprenticeship Program at Harper College. His on-the-job training at GF Machining Solutions will complement his classwork, providing him with the skills necessary for a successful career as an Application Engineer.

Joan Smith, Customer Support Administrator, has more than 15 years of experience in customer service and administrative roles, including training and demonstrations.

Steffen Penka, Field Service Engineer, most recently worked as a service coordinator with Mazak Corporation, managing and coordinating service engineers and providing phone-based technical support. In his native Germany, Penka completed a 3.5-year apprenticeship program in machine fitting. Penka will work remotely for GF Machining Solutions' Irvine, CA, office.

Source: http://www.mfgnewsweb.com/archives/1/54821/People-In-The-News-jul19/GF-Machining-Solutions-Adds-New-Service-Experts.aspx

GF Machining Solutions offers the AgieCharmilles FORM S 350 die-sinking electrical discharge machining (EDM) solution. The machine features breakthrough generator technology and accuracy-enhancing thermostabilization that allow electronic component manufacturers to keep pace with increased consumer demand.

A sturdy C-axis construction and cast-iron frame provide high stability and force reduction, which helps maintain a precise spark gap between the part and the electrode. Regardless of part weight or dielectric volume, the machine is designed to deliver consistent accuracy. Integrated linear glass scales preserve long-term repeatability and eliminate the need for recalibration as well as any errors found in traditional screw systems due to backlash and wear.

"The AgieCharmilles FORM S 350's latest-generation Intelligent Power Generator (IPG) excels in superfinishing and precision applications," said a company spokesperson. The IPG overcomes common challenges when using copper electrodes, including wear induced by electrical discharge multiple reopening. "As a result, GF Machining Solutions' EDM can machine up to 40% faster and reduce corner wear by 50% over standard EDMs," added the spokesperson.

The machine's discharge circuit for spark erosion power modulation and the flexibility to maximize material removal offers enhanced levels of quality and efficiency; for the finest details, the spark gap can be reduced to just a few microns. Embedded technologies optimize electrode usage and positively impact profitability through extended electrode life, shorter machining times and reduced downtime.

A dual thermostabilization system cools and circulates pulsating air through the machine's cabin to maintain a stable temperature and ensure extreme precision.

With an X/Y/Z travel of 31.1" x 20.9" x 11.8" (790 mm x 530 mm x 300 mm), the FORM S 350 handles workpieces up to 31.1" x 20.9" x 13.8" (790 mm x 530 mm x 350 mm).

Source: http://www.mfgnewsweb.com/archives/4/54809/Micro-Mfg-jul19/Die-Sinker-for-Micromachining-Electronic-Components.aspx

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At the GF Machining Solutions 2019 Solution Days event, the company showcased two technologies that make clear its intention to move additive manufacturing into production.

At an event like GF Machining Solutions' 2019 “Solution Days,” perhaps it's not surprising for a writer/editor like me who often focuses on additive manufacturing to immediately be drawn to new 3D printing and postprocessing technologies. But it's also fair to say that — for a company often associated with milling, wire EDM and laser micromachining — these technologies stood out on their own right.

Front and center were the DMP Flex and DMP Factory 3D printers, respectively single- and triple-laser metal powder-bed fusion machines that resulted from GF Machining Solutions' partnership with 3D Systems announced at IMTS last year. Each model number, 350 and 500 respectively, represents (roughly) the build volume in millimeters across the X, Y and Z axes. Both models are modular machines with optional integrated powder management systems for steel, Inconel and other nickel alloys, titanium, and other metals. On display at the event was only the DMP Flex machine, which still carries 3D Systems' branding, although I was told that will change in the future.

The company highlighted the build chamber atmosphere's purity (oxygen levels are said to be less than 25 parts per million) as being key to high repeatability, microstructure uniformity and accuracy, but equally interesting was the bidirectional material deposition resulting from new technologies incorporated into the recoater blade. For those who have upgraded the powder management system, it was said that printer cartridge changeover time is less than 30 minutes. John Carlson, GF Machining product manager, said that the DMP Factory systems “are meant to get into true production — especially when you think about our postprocessing capabilities.”

Which brings us to a unique — or at least unique to me — twist on cutting parts from the build plate via wire EDM. The not-officially-released AgieCharmilles Cut AM 500 is a horizontal wire EDM system designed specifically for additively manufactured part cut-offs. The machine, which GF Machining will debut at EMO Hannover later this year (no photos allowed until then), features an integrated swivel axis that rotates the build plate 180 degrees, submerging the parts upside-down into a special, water-based dielectric solution (the solution was said to be more viscous than typical EDM solutions). This orientation allows the parts to be cut without pressure or risk of damage via collision that can occur when being cut vertically, and also reduces the amount of supporting material that needs to be printed between the build plate and part itself. Gravity ensures that the parts won't pinch the wire during cutting operations, which runs the risk of short-circuiting or breaking the wire. After being cut from the platform, the parts simply fall through the fluid into a basket inside the machine. The basket itself can be shelved or segmented to catch individual parts. 

An available upgrade to the Cut AM 500 is a clamping and referencing option to speed up the removal of cut parts while queueing up the next build plate for part removal. Inside the machine, which features an X, Y and Z-axis travel space of 19.69 × 19.68 × 19.68 inches, are two wire spools that allow for the use of reusable Moly wire.

As additive manufacturing moves swiftly toward higher production volume capabilities, GF Machining Solutions' back-to-back release of new printing and postprocessing machine technologies feels logical and necessary for anyone looking toward holistic AM solutions.

Source: https://www.additivemanufacturing.media/blog/post/gf-machining-solutions-thinks-additive-and-beyond

Learn More: https://www.peakedm.com/59m7/advanced-manufacturing/additive-manufacturing.html

Advances in EDMs are also enabling more productive moldmaking. For example, advanced features for die sinker EDMs for both the entry-level FORM E die sinker and high-precision, high-end FORM P series from GF Machining Solutions, Lincolnshire, Illinois, are increasing speed, reducing electrode wear and improving productivity.

GF Machining's iGAP generator sensor technology helps moldmakers achieve a smaller, and therefore more precise, spark gap at higher speed with a die sinking EDM. (Provided by GF Machining Solutions)

Eric Ostini, product manager, EDM, explained that the iGAP generator sensor technology that has been added to the FORM E series EDM helps moldmakers use die-sinking EDMs to achieve a smaller, and therefore more precise, spark gap at higher speed. The iGAP varies the spark power from the front and sides of the electrodes as needed. Spark power increases only when necessary, helping preserve electrodes.

Ostini explained how the iGAP sensor works: “We are now able to sense on the electrode whether we're doing a frontal spark or a lateral spark. Frontal means the direction we're burning in and lateral means the sides of the electrode that are causing the cavities. We are able to sense where the spark is occurring and literally turn off any lateral spark that occurs. We can't get them all, but most of them,” Ostini said.

“We can burn quicker and keep the gap tighter between the electrode and the cavity, reducing the amount of removal laterally that we have to do to open up the cavity to size,” he continued. “We can have an electrode that is almost the same size as the cavity we want to produce, maybe two thousandths undersize per side, and burn straight down into the cavity with just frontal sparking and then do very little orbiting to bring it finally into size. This reduces time, increases cutting speed, and cleans up the cavity—the cavity is so close to final size that we don't have any offset issues.”

To maximize electrode utilization in the FORM P series, GF Solutions offers a Smart Tool. “For an electrode that is being used as a rougher, there is a sister tool in the rotary tool changer or other automation that will replace the rougher, if needed, due to wear. The semifinisher becomes the rougher and by staggering the use of the tools, the number of tools that are needed to do a series of mold cavities is reduced,” said Ostini.

Source:https://advancedmanufacturing.org/new-technology-powers-performance-at-u-s-mold-shops/

From faster rib machining to micromachining, the AgieCharmilles Form family is the outcome of GF Machining Solutions continued investment in advanced Die Sinking EDM research. The result is that users are able to achieve #OptimumMachiningPerformance with either graphite and/or copper electrodes.

Whether the requirement is for a single, standalone machine for straightforward use or with full and integrated #automation, Form machine tool solutions enable users to meet current and future challenges with greater flexibility, improved machining accuracy and reduced operational costs.

With the machines' new discharge circuit for spark erosion power modulation and the flexibility to maximize material removal, customers can achieve optimum levels of quality and efficiency, consuming fewer electrodes.

https://www.pesmedia.com/gf-machining-solutions-die-sinking-electrical-discharge-machining/

Engineered to simplify even the most demanding applications, GF Machining Solutions' all-new AgieCharmilles CUT P series of solutions brings the Limitless Possibilities of new intelligence to the wire-cutting electrical discharge machining (WEDM) process. The CUT P is center stage at GF Solutions Days, April 17–19, in Schorndorf, Germany.

The fourth industrial revolution—also known as Industry 4.0—represents the new era of innovation shaping the way manufacturers work. The new AgieCharmilles CUT P wire EDM series delivers new intelligence to advance their speed, flexibility and quality while helping them get to the heart of even the most critical applications in electronic components, automotive and medtech.

Designed for productivity

From producing a surgical tool weighing only a few grams to machining a six-ton die-casting mold for automotive, every detail of the AgieCharmilles CUT P series is designed to help manufacturers expand their business opportunities. The new state-of-the-art Intelligent Power Generator (IPG) enables precision parts and helps mold-and-die manufacturers to increase their cutting performance by 20 percent. Completely adapted for System 3R's Tooling and Automation solutions, the AgieCharmilles CUT P series helps users optimize their machine uptime. In addition, running costs are minimized by an array of innovative capabilities such as Automatic Slug Welding (ASW), Automatic Slug Management (ASM), ECO machining, and an improved Econowatt function. This translates into reduced time to market and faster production at lower costs.

Ideal for every application

Whether the job at hand requires micromachining or macromachining, the AgieCharmilles CUT P series helps manufacturers master complexity and expand their business to reach perfect performance in any situation. The mechanical design together with the thermostabilization and machining repeatability boost accuracy down to 2 µm and yield surface finishes down to Ra 0.08 µm. Advanced taper accuracy below 10 seconds with straightness, sharp contours and no lines is now easily available with the AgieCharmilles CUT P series' EXPERT systems. At the same time, the unique collision protection system prevents costly machine maintenance and ensures long-term accuracy and reliability. On top of that, the retractable 3D probing system delivers the faster setup and complete Automation setup to drive the success of complex parts manufacturers. All of these benefits—including the more than 600 available technologies made possible by the new, cutting-edge IPG—allow manufacturers to cut their costs by up to 20 percent.

Always available

The fourth industrial revolution is changing the way manufacturers work. Productivity and machine availability are essential for profitability. This is why the AgieCharmilles CUT P series focuses on putting SMART and connected solutions at manufacturers' fingertips.

SMART consumables include, for example, radio-frequency identification (RFID) chips integrated into wires to eliminate the risk of errors. They facilitate the quick replacement of consumables, avert breakdowns, minimize stock, and ensure complete process traceability. At the same time, System 3R's WorkShopManager and CellManager software take process administration and surveying to the next level. eTracking digitizes process monitoring as well as traceability and GF Machining Solutions' rConnect suite of modular digital services keeps manufacturers connected to their machines anytime—wherever they are. Moreover, AgieCharmilles CUT P solutions increase tooling life, reduce scrapped parts, advance quality control, decrease the need for manual intervention, and allow manufacturers to work 100 percent automatically. The result: Manufacturers spend more time machining—and enjoy Limitless Possibilities in tackling complex applications and expanding their business horizons.

Advancing quality at GKN Sinter Metal AG

Quality is king in the fast-paced, zero-defects focused world of automotive manufacturing, where components are becoming ever more complex. That complexity drives the need for increasingly precise tools—the very specialty of GKN Sinter Metals AG's tool shop.

GF Machining Solutions' new AgieCharmilles CUT P 550 WEDM solution helps GKN Sinter Metals' tool shop meet the automotive market's demands for highest quality punches and dies.

Proof of the value added by the AgieCharmilles CUT P series is in the highly precise punches and dies produced by the shop, says Tool Shop Manager Helmuth Ausserhofer.

“Our first priority is precision because it is directly connected to quality. Tall parts, like lower punches up to 400 mm in height and made of ASP 2023 steel, are a good example of the machining challenges we face. The AgieCharmilles CUT P 550 represents a step forward in terms of quality, especially on tall parts,” Ausserhofer says. “Our punches have to fit into the die with very small clearance of 3–8 microns. Our CUT P 550 delivers the highly reliable precision we need in order to achieve the quality our customers expect, 100 percent of the time.”

Another key contributor to precision—and thus quality—at GKN Sinter Metals is GF Machining Solutions' certified 0.25, 0.15 and 0.1 mm diameter EDM wire.

“We tested various wires and the reliable quality of GF Machining Solutions wire is one of the best. GF Machining Solutions' 0.25 mm wire is our standard, and the 0.15 and 0.1 mm wires help us precisely machine the smallest radii,” Ausserhofer explains. “Quality is king in tool making for automotive, so we use GF Machining Solutions wires.”

Source: http://www.machiningnews.com/2018/04/agiecharmilles-cut-p-series-helps-manufacturers-master-complexity-and-expand-their-business-to-reach-perfect-performance/

Peak EDM will provide the company's products to customers in Michigan's lower peninsula, while Midwest Machinery Solutions will serve Northern Illinois.GF Machining Solutions (Lincolnshire, Illinois) has added two companies to its distribution network. Peak EDM now serves Michigan's lower peninsula, and Midwest Machinery Solutions serves Northern Illinois. These distributors will provide customers with GF's EDM, milling, laser texturing, additive, micromachining, and 3R automation and tooling solutions as well as machine tool consumables.

The company selected the distributors based on their experience with its technologies, their abilities to provide service and support, and the opportunity to offer more comprehensive market coverage.

“We are deeply committed to strengthening service and sales support to all of our valued customers,” explains Don McMillan, GF Machining Solutions director of sales. “Both Peak and Midwest Machinery Solutions have strong relationships with customers in their markets and extensive knowledge about the products and services we offer that enable them to deliver on our commitment throughout the entire life cycle of each customer's machine tools.”

_{Originally Posted in Modern Machine Shop 2/8/2018: https://www.mmsonline.com/news/gf-machining-solutions-adds-two-distributors}