Product category:
EDM wire cutting
News Release from: 600 Centre | Subject: Robocut Alpha-OiCp wire EDM
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 25 August 2006
Linear drive EDMs offer higher precision
Higher orders of precision are now achievable from the latest generation of fine wire and super finishing wire EDM - costing under GBP 100,000 in the UK - and employ linear drive technology.
New orders of precision are now achievable from the latest generation of fine wire and super finishing Fanuc Robocut Alpha-OiCp wire EDM which now employs linear drive technology and is available from 600 Centre of Shepshed near Loughborough The new machine available for under GBP 100,000 also features a new wire feed system, the ability to cut precisely with ultra-fine 0.05mm wire and through special software, that fully integrates with nano interpolation techniques, enables surface finishes to be created within 0.04 micron
This article was originally published on Manufacturingtalk on 9 Mar 2006 at 8.00am (UK)
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Linear drive wire EDM offers high precision
Available for under GBP 100,000, a wire EDM machine features linear drive technology, a new wire feed system, the ability to cut with ultra-fine 0.05mm wire and produces finer surface finishes.
Robodrill produces savings within three months
Within three months of installation a Fanuc Robodrill, Raytheon Marine Company based in Portsmouth calculated savings of GBP6,000 on components it produced due to faster set ups.
The machine has been developed to meet requests from several areas of industry such as the medical sector looking for higher precision, toolmakers wanting to achieve even closer clearances between punch and die forms and the specialist carbide, high performance tool sector needing to meet growing demands for ultra-fine surfaces to improve cutting tool performance and a more consistent and predictable service life.
In developing the machine, Fanuc focused on linear motor technology and high resolution 10 nanometre absolute positioning glass scales in order to realise smooth and highly responsive axis feed while maintaining a uniform discharge gap between the cutting wire and the component.
In place of larger linear motor magnets, Fanuc has opted for a smaller symmetric double magnet arrangement for each axis drive with each magnet mounted on its side to prevent contamination and any build-up of foreign matter on the surface.
Further reading
Wire EDM machine uprated to cut quicker
Fanuc has extended the capacity, specification and performance of its Robocut Alpha-1iA wire cut electro discharge machine (EDM) to provide high accuracy performance cutting at up to 300mm2/min.
VMC has high positioning accuracy
Weighing in at over four tonnes and fitted with generous hardened and ground slideways, the Bridgeport VMC 1000 vertical machining centre has a high positioning accuracy of five microns.
Well-priced hydraulic table surface grinder
A new competitively priced hydraulically operated table surface grinding machine developed by Okamoto, the world's largest grinding machine manufacturer, incorporates AC servo control
This arrangement also reduces any thermal effects and lowers the influence of magnetic forces.
The linear drive works in conjunction with the machine's digital servo systems, nano interpolation control, pitch error compensation and interpolation control for compensation with high speed (four times faster than normal) feed back.
This level of technology helps to improve roundness capability and reduce any influence of vibration on the cutting process.
Nano interpolation also smoothes the action of the axis drives and eliminates any accumulation of axial movement or error.
As a result, exact position calculations are made at 0.001mm from program command that are 100 times greater than a normal wire EDM.
The new wire feed has very simple adjustment to handle the variance between the 0.05mm to 0.3mm diameter wire capacity and incorporates thermal cut-off and automatic annealing to maintain a straight, sharp edge.
Disconnection and reconnection takes just 12s and can be performed submerged with re-feeding at the point of breakage without the normal time delay due to having to move to the initial start position.
The inner tank door has also been designed for workpiece exchange without having to fully drain the tank.
Not only does this save time it helps to maintain thermal stability within the table area.
Within the software, Automatic Corner Strategy software machine parameters are automatically changed to ensure exact sharp corners are produced according to program instructions.
Pulse Control enables density and discharge gap to be kept uniform enabling feed rates to be increased by up to 40%.
A further new feature, digital current detection eliminates 'noise' and thus contributes to higher accuracy.
The maximum workpiece size is 650mm by 570mm by 250mm and can weigh up to 400kg.
X and Y strokes are 370mm by 270mm, U and V strokes 120mm and Z-axis stroke is 255mm.
Altogether, the machine weighs 2.5 tonnes, some 30% heavier than a standard Fanuc EDM machine.
Full and remote monitoring capability is available for unmanned running and up to 25 machines can be connected into the system.
Programs can be over-ridden via a remote PC and emergency stop initiated in the case of problems.
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