The Cut F 600 wire EDM features machining enhancements and functions to automatically identify and adapt wire speed during the wire EDM process.

The Cut F series is a flexible tool that takes advantage of its high positioning accuracy and the new GF Machining Solutions’ Cut F 600 wire EDM is designed to balance precision with productivity for accurate machining and high surface capability. Designed for ease of use and flexibility, it features the Uniqua control, ISPS and iWire intelligent functions and radio frequency identification (RFID) Smart Wire system, along with design improvements for thermal stabilisation, vibration control and machine movement precision.

The iWire function, a true innovation for the industry, automatically identifies and adapts wire speed to changing erosion height conditions during the wire-cutting EDM process. This capability eliminates wire breakage while reducing overall wire consumption per job, in some instances by as much as 29 per cent. The iWire function works in tandem with the company’s Intelligent Spark Protection System (ISPS).

Spark Track can recognise exactly where the sparks of wire-cutting EDM are happening during the process. Additionally, it can measure and identify the position of each spark along the length of an EDM’s wire. Knowing the exact location of the spark allows the system to optimise the cutting height, which automatically adapts the wire feed speed accordingly. Such capability reduces the chances of wire breakage during unattended operations when machining parts with steps and other features that vary the erosion height – the length of the actual surface areas where the wire is eroding/cutting. Also available with the Cut F series machines is the Smart wire technology. This system reads wire characteristics through RFID chip on the spool as well as other traceability-related data.

For increased machine pitch accuracy, precision, reliability and overall process stability, the Cut F machines feature several enhanced design elements, one of which is thermal stabilisation of axis optical encoders. The other design change is the incorporation of higher-grade ball screws that improve both positioning accuracy and lifetime.

For more information contact Retecon Machine Tools on TEL: 011 976 8600 or visit www.retecon.co.za