Product category:
EDM wire cutting
News Release from: Charmilles Technologies Corporation | Subject: Robofil 440 Wire EDM Centre
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 26 November 2002
Overseas mould and die competition
fought
'Lights out' wire EDM operation employed to combat Far east competiton and win new injection mould tooling orders.
With its vast experience in supplying quality injection mould tools built up over 25 years Bourne Tools is well placed to offer its customers a complete service From design to trialing and commissioning the company has supplied a variety of industries in the manufacture of complex 3D tooling, with notable involvement into the automotive industry
This article was originally published on Manufacturingtalk on 22 Mar 2001 at 8.00am (UK)
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Glasgow Precision is finding increasing benefits from the introduction of Wire Electro Discharge Machining (WEDM) into their production routines.
Two-wire EDM improves productivity
In launching its revolutionary 'twin wire' Robofil 2030SI-TW, Charmilles has designed a system that allows machining with two different wires in automatic mode and cuts production times by 30%.
In making some of the finest automotive tooling in the world Bournes are increasingly aware of the threat from low labour rates in the Far East and has taken the first step towards 'lights out' production purchasing a Charmilles Robofil 440 Wire EDM Centre.
"Although we have purchased land adjacent to our main site and invested in a moulding company, I can't say that 2001 was a great year, but prudent accounting and a recent influx of quality orders from companies such as Rosti and Scheffenacker has seen us make a profit in the last quarter." stated Finance Director, Ian Bourne.
"We are not a company that rests on its laurels and have always looked to re-invest the profits back into the company, hence the purchase of Charmilles Robofil 440 and HD8 Hole Driller, replacing an ageing Robofil 310." "A considerable improvement has been noticed in the quality of wire erosion since the arrival of the Robofil 440.", added Ian Bourne.
Further reading
EDM generator achieves cutting speed of 400mm2/m
Achieving a cutting speed of 400mm2/min, believed to be for the first time in the world, the generators fitted to the latest wire EDMs use a new current pulse shape.
Award for toolmaker thanks to CNC investment
Toolmaker Avenue Mould now has two Charmilles Roboform 20 CNC spark eroders, fitted with Erowa tooling, and an automated Roboform 35 fitted with Erowa's PX robot
Subcontract engineer expands wire erosion facility
Subcontract engineering company Bedestone is continually expanding its operations and has increased its wire erosion capacity, investing in the latest technology from Charmilles Technologies
"The results are largely due to the improvements in machine design and additions which have increased its capabilities and hence its versatility.
With a programmable Z axis, workpiece's of different heights can be prepared on a single set-up for continuous running without operator intervention.
In fact, the Robofil 440 can achieve angles of 30-degrees on workpiece's up to 400mm thick thanks to its design of symmetrical XY and UV tables under submerged machining conditions." An ingenious method of automatic threading has increase wire feed reliability.
The wire is stretched under heat and its cutting point controlled by a cool air flow to produce a tapered wire tip, making it easier to pass through the guides.
A wire cutter is integrated into the lower head assembly to reliably dispose of used wire cleanly and efficiently.
A Windows NT multitask CNC operating system carrying an above standard Charmilles interface is powered by a powerful PC.
Operator input has been further accelerated by a more user-friendly interface and an easy to use industrial grade TFT touch screen.
Expert cycles such as CT Expert, Pilot Expert and Profile Expert are also included.
They help choose optimum machining sequences, monitor wire conditions to prevent breakages and modify tension and wire speeds to optimise geometry accuracy.
"Our reputation of producing a quality tool is a combination of skilled operators, the latest machine technology and the right material.
However, providing right-first-time tools to ever shortening lead times also requires a first class service, by both machine tool and material suppliers.
The machines' user friendliness coupled with its improved design and optimizing software allows even inexperienced operators to realise the machines full potential."' concluded Ian Bourne.
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