"Seventy years ago, the invention of Electrical Discharge Machining (EDM) revolutionized worldwide manufacturing," said a GF Machining Solutions spokesperson. "AGIE and Charmilles pioneered this technology and remain world market leaders today under the umbrella of GF Machining Solutions, a company that is constantly pushing the boundaries of what is possible."
Since its accidental discovery during the middle of the 20th century, EDM has evolved from an innovative solution to become a cornerstone of modern manufacturing, offering precision in the production of molds, dies and complex geometric parts.
Over the decades, constructive interaction between EDM and electronics has led to significant advancements. Notable milestones such as the integration of the planar transistor, integrated circuits and the microprocessor all were critical to enhancing EDM's capabilities.
"GF Machining Solutions embodies the heritage and expertise of AGIE and Charmilles, Swiss pioneers in industrialized EDM machines," said the spokesperson. "Since it introduced the first industrial die-sinking machine in 1954 and the first wire-cutting EDM machines three years later, GF Machining Solutions has continued to innovate."
Today, EDM is an integral part of manufacturing processes across industries that rely on precise, intricate shapes, including aerospace, automotive, medical and electronics. GF Machining Solutions has been at the forefront of this technology, improving energy and resource efficiency, and introducing digital solutions to enhance productivity and precision.
One of the challenges of die-sinking EDM is the skill required to produce a perfect part from a drawing and to maximize the machine's precision and surface finish. Recently, GF Machining Solutions released FORM eCAM, the first EDM CAM software to support operators in their daily work.
FORM eCAM offers "first part right" machining and advances the digitalization of the process chain. "The software uses CAD geometry to describe the machining process perfectly and can extract the exact volume for erosion," said the spokesperson. "With this increased knowledge, the software can create a perfectly suited set of technological parameters that prevent potential human errors and increase efficiency on the shop floor."
Another major innovation is control of current consumption. Developed and assembled in Switzerland, the Intelligent Power Generator (IPG) forms the heart of GF Machining Solutions die-sinking and wire-cutting machines. This state-of-the-art fully digital and resonant switching generator enables enhanced performance with minimal power consumption.
For more information contact:
GF Machining Solutions LLC
560 Bond St.
Lincolnshire, IL 60069
800-282-1336
info.gfms.us@georgefischer.com
www.gfms.com/us