LINCOLNSHIRE, Ill., June 24, 2020 – As part of its continued effort to provide customers with highly productive turnkey manufacturing systems, GF Machining Solutions has developed a number of model machining cells to showcase its comprehensive range of total manufacturing solutions. These models demonstrate everything from simple pairs of machines and robots to mixed-machine configurations for advanced hybridized additive/subtractive machining strategies. 

Cell 1 – Additive and subtractive manufacturing workflow
As additive manufacturing (AM) and laser micromachining become increasingly common, manufacturers need a way to easily integrate these technologies with their conventional subtractive machining operations. GF Machining Solutions has an example of just this form of integration: a three-machine cell comprised of the DMP Flex 350, AgieCharmilles CUT AM 500 and Mikron MILL S 400 U for fast, optimized hybrid part-production operations. 

The robust, flexible DMP Flex 350 enables the efficient 24/7 production of very dense, pure metal AM parts from tough-to-machine alloys, including Inconel, titanium, cobalt chrome, aluminum and steel. Short changeover times and streamlined 3DXpert® all-in-one parametric software allow shops to move quickly from 3D modeling to successful part printing, while the innovative CUT AM 500 uses an innovative tilting table and horizontal wire EDM to separate parts from build plates with lower running costs and higher part quality than conventional EDMs and band saws. 

To complete parts produced with metal AM as quickly as possible, even when unattended, GF Machining Solutions has included the MILL S 400 U in the cell, a high-speed full simultaneous 5-axis milling machine with an integrated 18-pallet changer, automatic table and workpiece cleaning system and a range of smart machining modules for advanced in-process monitoring. Both the additive and subtractive processes utilize the same type of System 3R tooling to expedite moving parts between machines and ensure the highest repeatability. 

Cell 2 – Lights-out automation
For the most demanding part-production applications, accuracy must be maintained over long periods of machining, even when left unattended overnight. In this second model cell, GF Machining Solutions highlights the long-term precision machining capabilities of three high-performance machine tools: the AgieCharmilles FORM S 350 die-sinking EDM, AgieCharmilles LASER S 1000 U laser texturing platform and Mikron MILL P 500 five-axis vertical machining center.

All three of these machines are capable of achieving micron-scale precision for the highest quality surfaces even during the longest machining cycles thanks to features such as integrated thermostabilization, rigid polymer concrete machine bases and software solutions such as Intelligent Spindle Monitoring (ISM), Smartpatch and Intelligent Speed Power Generator (ISPG). Even for exceptionally precise parts, these machines can deliver perfect repeatability all night long, every night, for lights-out automation that manufacturers can trust. 

Cell 3 – Standalone robot
To make the most of advanced manufacturing technology, even a single machine's productivity can be enhanced with the appropriate automation. In this model cell, the AgieCharmilles CUT P 550 Pro wire EDM solution is made even more productive with the addition of a System 3R WorkPartner 1+ (WPT1+), an automation solution that offers maximum magazine capacity in minimal floor space for unprecedented flexibility, making it easy for manufacturers to start with a single magazine and add one or two as required. 

This is ideal for the high-speed productivity of the CUT P 550 Pro, which provides 20 percent faster cutting speeds with 25 percent less wire consumption thanks to its Intelligent Power Generator (IPG) technology. To maximize its productivity during unattended machining – and leverage the flexible capacity of the WPT1+ – the wire EDM solution also features new Spark Track technology with Intelligent Spark Protection System (ISPS) for the most secure processes available in the EDM sector today. 

For even greater part-processing speeds, the CUT P 550 Pro will be compatible with the company's new Uniqua control. First previewed at the grand opening of GF Machining Solutions' new Biel, Switzerland-based milling machine factory in 2019, this innovative human-machine interface builds on the dynamic programming potential of the company's VISION Controls with EIA/ISO code compatibility, as well as a range of features designed to improve wire cutting speeds from 14-28 percent on CUT P series machines. The new control will be available in June. 

About GF Machining Solutions
GF Machining Solutions is the world's leading provider of machine tools, diverse technical solutions and services to manufacturers of precision molds and tooling and of tight-tolerance, precision-machined components. The key segments we serve include the aerospace, automotive, medical, energy, information and communications technology (ICT) and electronics industries. Our extensive portfolio ranges from Electrical Discharge Machining (EDM) solutions, three- and five-axis Milling machines and Spindles, 3D Laser texturing machines, Additive Manufacturing and machines for Laser micromachining to solutions for Tooling, Automation, Software and Digitalization – all backed by unrivaled Customer Services and support. GF Machining Solutions is a globally acting Division of the Georg Fischer Group (Switzerland) and maintains a presence at 50 locations worldwide. Its 3,358 employees generated sales of CHF 972 million in 2019.

Originally published on ThomasNet: https://news.thomasnet.com/fullstory/achieve-optimized-manufacturing-workflows-with-gf-machining-solutions-40037344

A new major EDM innovation has been introduced by GF Machining Solutions across its advanced wire EDM machines.

Spark Track is GF Machining Solutions latest EDM software monitoring system that adjusts the rate and intensity of sparks along the length of the wire and, in doing so, prevents heavy wear from occurring at any point on the wire – extending its life and preventing breaks.

At the heart of the innovation is GF's generator technology – specifically its high-performance ISPS (Intelligent Spark Protection System) module – which accurately identifies the intensity and location of sparks along the wire and, when necessary and required, adjusts current and voltage rates to prevent concentration of wear on the wire.

Spark Track provides comprehensive and real-time spark distribution information to manufacturers, enabling them to push their EDM machines to the limit.

Martin Spencer, managing director at GF Machining Solutions UK says: “The ISPS module eliminates wire breakage regardless of machining conditions and, as such, makes manufacturers' wire EDM processes more reliable and secure.

Spark Track solves problems such as wire oscillation which can occur when machining different heights and tapered surfaces, and can lead to wire breaks and damaged workpieces.

“Superior wire cutting performance is achieved when discharge distribution, along the wire, is as uniform as possible. Spark Track enables this to occur,” Mr Spencer continues.

ISPS and Spark Track, working in combination, not only prevent wire breaks they also, as a consequence, eliminate time intensive resets and reduce the amount of time an operator has to devote to a given job. They also help extend wire life.

Other recent developments introduced by GF Machining solutions to better regulate the spark output of its machines include: the standardisation of high-performance generators across all of its EDM machines; and the redesign of its machines and the positioning of its generators to place them as close to the wire as possible.

This makes the machines more responsive and able to react quickly to inputs from the control by reducing the distance computer signals and sparks need to travel.

Originally published by PESMEDIA.com - July 13, 2020 - https://www.pesmedia.com/gf-machining-solutions-wire-edm-13072020/

Unlike CNC lathes and machining centers, where the sights and sounds of machining are visible, EDM, by comparison, is a relatively sedate and hidden process.

True, wire and sink EDM does generate a storm of electrical activity, as well as temperatures that rival those found in the sun's atmosphere, but this volatility occurs beneath the surface of the water or oil-filled tank, or deep inside a workpiece. As a consequence, determining what is going on in the EDM process in real time, or at any given time for that matter, has always been open to speculation.

This situation has changed with GF Machining Solution's Live Remote Assistance (LRA) facility – a machining solution that incorporates the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) and part of the company's rConnect central communications platform – which not only gives customers the ability to observe and record every minute detail of the EDM process, but enables them to initiate maintenance operations remotely from the machine's control.

Martin Spencer, managing director at GF Machining Solutions UK explains: “LRA gives us direct access to the machine's control. A customer, when they want to access the service, pushes a button on the user interface and this sends a message to our support center. Once we have confirmed our credentials – essentially confirming who we are – and given access to the machine's control, we are able to perform a range of diagnostic and preventive maintenance operations remotely.”

These operations include a whiteboard facility where a service engineer can pull up and access a service document, and then highlight a specific area of interest or concern for the customer to review.

The system enables the customer, via a plug-in headset, to talk directly to the service engineer and, if a Windows-based tablet is available, its camera can be activated to provide the engineer with eyes on the ground, allowing them to inspect the machine virtually e.g. peek inside the machine's electrical cabinet or to check the status of the machine's various LED indicators.

For more complex repair and maintenance situations the GF Machining Solutions rConnect facility can be used by onsite service engineers to liaise directly with engineers at the support centre. The result being faster and more efficient and effective customer support.

LRA also provides a user interface that the customer can use internally to check the machine's status from the front office (instead of the machine shop), or review upcoming maintenance activities.

There is more to IIoT than maintenance, and GF Machining Solutions uses it to provide real time monitoring of the EDM machining process, allowing customers to record and access the resulting data.

Mr Spencer says: “This is an important development for aerospace and medical customers where traceability is critical.”

IIoT functionality has also made inroads into wire EDM consumables.

“We've created a system that can read RFID tags placed inside the wire spool,” says Mr Spencer. “When you place the spool in the machine it is constantly reading and updating the information stored there. This facility has a number of benefits. For example, you can tell how much wire is left on a spool, when the wire was manufactured and where it was purchased. This eliminates the possibility of running out of wire during a job or that the wrong spool or type of wire gets used.”

As IIoT gains more acceptance and traction it's clear that more enlightened manufacturing companies will see it as a ‘need to have rather than a ‘nice to have' technology.

Production managers can see what assets are running, what is being worked on and what is next in line. Machine tool operators and programmers have easy access to everything needed to do their jobs, and can take the proper corrective action if something goes awry. And when such an action is taken, the steps are recorded so there are no more knowledge silo issues.

Best of all, management has a clear view of the operating costs. Taking on a rush order is no longer a nail-biting experience. Scheduling is more accurate, uptime increases, and quality improves. The company becomes a data-driven organisation, one that uses facts to make continuous improvement decisions, rather than assumptions or best guesses.

Mr Spencer concludes: “It won't be too long before, using sophisticated sensor technology, that variables such as a dielectric's pH and temperature (as well as other parameters that affect quality and productivity) will be recorded in real time giving manufacturers the ability to access and analyse data, and make changes and improvements to their processes. The IIoT is here to stay and GF Machining Solutions is at the forefront of its development and use.”

GF Machining Solutions

Originally published by Production Engineering solutions - January 2019: https://www.pesmedia.com/edm-gf-machining-solutions-internet-of-things/

"GF Machining Solutions' Microlution ML-5 5-axis ultrafast laser platform takes micromachining capabilities to a new level beyond what is possible with traditional CNC machining," said a company spokesperson.

The Microlution ML-5 is optimized for micro-scale holemaking and fine cutting without creating heat-affected zones. The machine's compact, high-performance femto laser is engineered to reduce cycle times and tooling costs to enable the production of precision parts in seconds.

"The combination of quick acceleration, enhanced stability, precise part handling and motion control with integrated part characterization and measurement provide precise machining with increased accuracy, speed and quality," said the spokesperson. "The Microlution ML-5 brings new designs and products to life-from more efficient automotive fuel injectors and complex watch parts to highly precise medical catheter tips and micro-crack-free holes for mobile devices' hardened glass screens."

The platform offers up to five axes of motion and supports multiple laser types for ±1 µm positional accuracy and ±0.5 µm repeatability. Its high-precision beam delivery system is supported by a precision-ground natural granite base and granite-mounted ironless rails. The Microlution ML-5 also features high-precision linear motors and high-resolution Heidenhain glass scale encoders along with an in-line workpiece touch probe, integrated power meter and high-speed optical camera.

Learn More or Request Quote Here: https://www.peakedm.com/m7/Microlution%20ML-5--microlution-ml-5.html

_{Originally Published by Manufacturing News: https://mfgnewsweb.com/archives/1/56493/Drilling-Tapping-Threading-apr20/Fast-Laser-Micromachining.aspx}

A spindle protection system based on magnetic force could exert a pull on part manufacturers experiencing costly machine crashes.

If a collision occurs during heavy-duty cutting, a machine spindle can be subjected to tons of force. Besides breaking a spindle, a crash can damage a tool and workpiece and result in significant machine downtime.

The chances of a collision are greater than normal during the initial phases of a machining process. At these times, crashes can be caused by setup mistakes and programming errors in tests of new CNC programs.

“Programs for CNC mills are made up of thousands of instructions, and there is a high risk of something not being perfect,” said Dante Payva, New England sales manager for GF Machining Solutions LLC, Lincolnshire, Illinois. “If something is not correct and the machine makes an unexpected move, it could damage the spindle.”

Preventing damage caused by collisions is the aim of the Machine and Spindle Protection system developed by GFMS. The self-contained MSP system relies on permanent magnets in the spindle housing. During standard machining operations, the strong magnets hold the spindle in position. In the event of a collision that generates sufficient force, however, the magnets disengage, allowing the spindle to deflect either to the side or into the machine's z-axis housing. At the very outset, he explained, this disengagement is detected by location sensors that trigger emergency braking action within nanoseconds, bringing the machine to a stop. The idea is to halt the machine before the spindle moves far enough to break, as illustrated below.

A crash involving a machine spindle (left) can cause costly damage and downtime. The MSP system, however, allows a spindle to deflect after a collision, giving the system extra time and distance to take emergency braking action before a spindle breaks. V is the linear spindle velocity during a machining operation. Breaking distance is the amount of spindle movement after a collision that causes breakage. Image courtesy of GF Machining Solutions

The system normally activates when a machine is operating in a setup or safety mode that lowers the maximum feed rate.

“Typically, you'd have the system on during the testing or prove-out phase of your new program or process,” Payva said. “Once you have run it once or twice and feel confident about it, the risk decreases substantially. Then you can turn the system off, and the machine would go back to its max feed rate.”

However, some shops always leave the system on for constant protection, he said, at the cost of a small amount of the feed rate they otherwise could achieve.

If a collision occurs, the system can reduce the resulting force on a spindle by 90%, according to GFMS. The system protects spindles in all five axes of machine motion.

“Many other systems protect the machine and spindle from a crash in the direction of the spindle axis,” Payva said. “But with our system, you can crash in any direction, and it has the same safety impact.”

He said other protection systems take the brunt of collision energy and thereby damage themselves to prevent a spindle and other machine components from being damaged. So even if they do their job, those systems need to be replaced after a crash, resulting in machine downtime and added costs for users.

By contrast, the MSP system doesn't need to be replaced after a crash.

The magnets and spring action bring the system back to its original position, “and it's ready for another crash immediately,” Payva said.

In addition, the system does not wear and requires no maintenance.

The system is currently an option for three GFMS mills.

“The option pays for itself after the first crash,” Payva said. “Spindles cost between $20,000 and $40,000, so you could easily have at least $20,000 of damage” in the event of a crash.

Adding to the risk of spindle crashes is the shortage of skilled machine operators.

“Companies are investing in high-performance machine tools and then handing them off to people who may not have all the capabilities needed to operate them,” Payva said.

Under such circumstances, opting for the system “is a nice way to protect yourself,” he said.  

Learn more about the machines that feature MSP: https://www.peakedm.com/Performance5AxisMilling.html

GF Machining Solutions offers a complete AM solution for medical device manufacturers. PES hears about some of its latest additive advances.

Metal Additive Manufacturing (AM) – also known as metal AM or 3D metal printing – is becoming a driving force in the production of many of today's medical devices.

In fact, orthopaedic implants with porous surfaces and lattice structures mimicking the behaviour of normal bone, have led to significant improvements in patient outcomes – and implants with these features simply cannot be made without AM.

Moreover, it is not just implants that have new designs; surgical tools and instruments also benefit from simplified manufacturing processes, weight savings and ergonomic features that can only be made with AM. Not surprisingly, it is estimated that as much as 10% of all orthopaedic implants being introduced have at least one component made by AM.

As metal AM grows in importance, OEMs and subcontract manufacturing organisations of all sizes are investigating how to best integrate this technology in order to better meet their customers' needs.

With a complete end-to-end solution that brings customers high quality together with low running costs, GF Machining Solutions and 3D Systems recently launched the DMP Flex 350 to help ensure success when adopting this new technology.

Powder melting

There are various technologies for printing metals, but the dominant approach today creates solid material through the targeted melting of very fine metal powder. DMP Factory and Flex systems from GF Machining Solutions and 3D Systems use a laser-based process (selective laser melting) which can produce high-quality surface finishes and small features down to 0.1mm.

A key consideration when investigating metal AM technologies is the range of materials the respective systems can print, as well as the ability and speed to change (or not change) materials if necessary. For example, surgical instruments are most often made of stainless steel, while surgical implants usually require titanium.

If the manufacturing objective or priority is to fully load a 3D printer with different types of jobs, a flexible system allowing efficient material changes will be the natural choice.

The DMP Flex 350 has been engineered to allow a user to change the metal being printed in only a few hours. On the other hand, the DMP Factory series is designed for use with a single metal.

With the DMP Factory and DMP Flex versions of the system, manufacturers can invest in the technology that is right for them.

New innovation

When it comes to 3D metal printing, oxygen is the enemy. When metals such as titanium are in its presence, they degrade through oxygen uptake. GFMS' innovative design makes use of a sealed build chamber to create the optimal printing environment by evacuating all air from the chamber and replacing it with argon. This cycle is repeated three times before the build begins, removing both oxygen and any trace of humidity from both the chamber and the powder reservoir.

With this approach, GFMS says the oxygen level present during operations is around 25ppm (parts per million) compared to 300 to 700ppm of oxygen in other systems' build chambers (which most often have a continuous flow of argon entering the chamber). The results with this system are said to be better and more consistent product quality – build after build –with lower operating costs through both reduced argon consumption and a longer useful life for the metal powder.

A complete solution

Even with its many advantages, the DMP Flex 350 is just one part of the metal AM printing puzzle. Success also requires a product design adapted for 3D printing, a validated process, and the ability to integrate downstream operations. GF Machining Solutions and 3D Systems provide a full range of technologies, including both machines and automation systems for downstream processing.

One of the keys to GF Machining Solutions' approach is the use of System 3R pallets as a base within the DMP Flex 350.

Printed products can be transferred to secondary processing such as milling without the need for re-clamping or re-referencing, and with product manufacturing data secured via System 3R's radio frequency identification (RFID) chip.

GF Machining Solutions and 3D Systems have also introduced a wire-cutting Electrical Discharge Machining (EDM) system designed specifically for AM: the AgieCharmilles Cut AM 500 is claimed to be unique by the manufacturer in that it allows removal of product from the build plate cleanly and without cutting forces.

Taking a product from idea to design 3D print requires both experience and the appropriate software. 3D printing is a vertical process. The powder present in the bed cannot support the weight of the printed metal, so designs must be adapted to include support structures which can also prevent deformation due to thermal stresses arising during the melting process.

Build simulation software allows for the verification of the size and geometry of support structures; at the same time, training and design experience are also valuable assets.

GFMS' 3DXpert software offers simulation tools that consider wall thicknesses, weight and powder behaviour to ensure that supports are minimised and not obstructive, but still of sufficient size and strength to do their job.

As an advanced software package, 3DXpert also links the printer design, its Laser, and its powder characteristics. The result is a printing process that optimises the Laser path and the build strategy to ensure that the desired mechanical properties of the product can be achieved.

3DXpert is the key to both product design and defining the optimal printing strategy; it is a complete solution from CAD to the finished product.

In highly regulated, risk-averse sectors like medical device manufacturing, qualification and validation can represent big hurdles for a manufacturer. A validated AM process includes the entire ecosystem, from quality control processes for incoming powder to software, post-processing, and process controls on finished products.

Companies looking to bring AM into their production portfolio should carefully consider which supplier/partner has the level of experience and expertise.

As experts in metal AM as well as a broad range of other manufacturing technologies and with expert customer training and first-class customer services and support, GF Machining Solutions and 3D Systems are well qualified to help manufacturers integrate AM into a factory and master every step, from machine installation to manufacturing of AM devices.

Additive choices

The products end users plan to make will inform the choice of printing technology and the make and model of the printer will increase (or limit) flexibility in terms of materials and the products that can be made.

The technology and the printer design selected will also drive running costs up or down and influence the quality of the products made. In the final analysis, oxygen management in the system chosen will likely be the single biggest driver of both running costs and product quality, and it should be high on list of priorities when deciding which system to purchase.

Managing the changes metal AM brings to product design and understanding validation of the complete value chain – including post-processing steps – are also key. Training staff or hiring people with relevant experience and adapting internal processes are also important starting points.

As 3D printing continues to cement its place in medical device manufacturing, GF Machining Solutions and 3D Systems bring together the elements essential to a streamlined integration of the technology while delivering not only the system with the lowest running costs but an end-to-end solution that includes powder, software, expert application support, operator training, and customer services.

GF Machining Solutions

_{Originally Published by Production Engineering Solutions: https://www.pesmedia.com/3d-printing-gf-machining-solutions-140420/}

Originally titled 'Machining Center Mills Small Medical Parts'

 

The HSM 200U LP machining center from GF Machining Solutions is available in three- and five-axis versions bringing speed, efficiency and precision to the machining of small medical components.

The HSM 200U LP machining center from GF Machining Solutions is available in three- and five-axis (full simultaneous) versions for machining small, complex medical components such as stainless steel denture bars and orthopedic implants. Its compact size allows the machine to fit into facilities such as dental labs and other shops where floor space is at a premium, the company says.

The machine is said to generate part surface finishes as fine as 0.05 µm Ra thanks to linear motor technology in its main machine axes and direct-drive motors for the B and C axes. The 50,000-rpm, 11.4-hp Step-Tec spindle also contributes to precise part details and smooth surface finishes, according to the company.

Paired with optional Mikron pallet magazines with System 3R and Erowa interfaces, the HSM 200U LP can provide unattended 24/7 machining for increasing the output of existing workforces. 

A Heidenhain iTNC 530 control system and smart machining modules provide advanced machine monitoring. The system automatically checks and evaluates tools and workpieces, inspects tools for breakage, and performs measurements of the workpiece. The smart machine modules automatically monitor spindle vibration, calibrate machine geometry and transmit process status messages to an operator's cell phone.

To avoid inconsistent loading of small tools and 3D geometry errors caused by inaccurately measuring those tools, the HSM 200U LP features Intelligent Tool Measurement (ITM). ITM records the complete tool tip up to a diameter of 0.47" on image sensors. Special software cleans and measures the recorded tool geometry for repeatability in the micron range.

_{Originally published by Modern Machine Shop: https://www.mmsonline.com/products/gf-machining-solutions-mikron-hsm-200u-lp-designed-for-small-medical-shops}

SPARK TRACK from GF Machining Solutions International SA PRODEX Award 19 winner:

Wire EDM - productivity increase of up to 25% thanks to the absence of wire breaks (reliability); Time savings through higher cutting speed, constant and optimal eroding performance.

What is the degree of innovation of the nominated procedure?

Breakthrough in EDM wire cutting technology

How important is the nominated process for industry?

Significant increase in process performance in terms of speed, precision and surface quality

What are the economic successes of the nominated procedure?

Productivity increased by up to 25% thanks to the absence of wire breaks (reliability); Time savings through higher cutting speed, constant and optimal eroding performance.

What is the WOW effect of the nominated procedure?

Real-time control of the energy density on the wire, when a deforestation concentration takes place, the energy is reduced.

Real-time display of the discharge position in the workpiece. 3D representation in color of the power density (heat-affected zone) of the cut web (Industry 4.0: traceability).

Description of the nominated procedure:

The spark erosion process is a stochastic process because discharges occur in the gap between the electrode points where there is the least electrical resistance. A lot of research has been done in the past to optimize this process. Since wire discharge erosion (WEDM) takes place on a wire, it is in principle possible to determine the location of the discharge in real time if the machining current pulses are measured from two sides of the workpiece (wire input, wire output). This theory has been proposed by several authors in the past. Since the required control systems were not available at the time, implementation has so far been impossible. Due to the recent improvement in electronics, GF Machining Solutions AgieCharmilles has managed to to realize this utopia. Reliable detection of the place of unloading is possible!

How it works: The current from the generator is led to the wire through 2 cables, an upper and a lower feed path. The total current is divided into two partial currents I20 and I30. Both currents are measured separately and then subtracted. The current difference signal is assigned to a discharge position on the wire.

For example, if the discharge occurs at medium level, the current divides evenly between the upper and lower currents and their subtraction is zero. In practice, we know in real time where each discharge along the wire (and also on the workpiece according to the x, y, z coordinates) takes place. This functionality has many interesting effects:

• Cutting speed increase, reduction of wire consumption
• Create a model of wire shape and wear in real time and adjust the feed speed of the wire

Use of the wire as a geometry
measuring device : If the discharge distribution is known, the workpiece curvature can be derived. This makes it possible to detect the curvature of the workpiece and to improve the straightness by adjusting the generator parameters in order to adapt the electrostatic and electromagnetic forces acting on the wire.

Converting a stochastic process (EDM) into a deterministic process, i.e. active discharge control, by distributing the discharges according to a predefined pattern, by observing the position of a pilot discharge using the Spark Track and releasing the main discharge only if this is desired.

Creation of a three-dimensional model of the thermal stress caused by the process due to the discharges and prediction of the heat affected zone on the workpiece.

Originally posted:https://www.visit.prodex.ch/de/showcase/de/spark-track-von-gf-machining-solutions-international-sa-ca-design

This technology is available on the AgieCharmilles CUT P and CUT S/X Series of Wire EDM Machines. Learn More about them here: https://www.peakedm.com/AgieCharmillesEDM.html

This mold manufacturer delivered a die-cast mold from concept to completion in less than one week for a component that was holding up the production of ventilators.

Bill Berry, President and Owner of Die-Tech & Engineering (DTE) in Wyoming, Michigan, took on a complex die project from in Minneapolis, Minnesota, for a component that is critical to current ventilator production.

Die-Tech and Engineering and Twin Cities Die Casting are just two of the many American manufacturers coming together to help our nation through the COVID-19 crisis. Die Tech and Twin Cities Die Casting are working to help Ventec, a leading supplier of ventilators, to quickly ramp up production. Die-Tech is currently working on tooling for 10 more parts. While quoting the job on Friday, March 20, 2020, Berry was already arranging to get the steel for the die. It was delivered overnight and in production by 2 AM Saturday morning. His team continues to work through the night to get the job done--including last-minute mold design changes! The job is completed and delivered as of March 25, 2020. And, it's important to note that a job of this scope is normally 8 weeks or more. Berry believes that the combined creativity and innovation of American manufacturers is pivotal to the quality of life and security we enjoy today.

_{Originally Published by MoldMaking Technology: https://www.moldmakingtechnology.com/blog/post/moldmakers-stand-and-deliver-during-coronavirus-outbreak-}