Wire EDM for High Accuracy, Increased Speed, Innovative Efficiency

In Booth S-9119, Methods Machine Tools, Inc. (Sudbury, MA) will be introducing their Fanuc RoboCut α-CiB Series that includes the C400iB, C600iB and the new, larger C800iB Wire EDM, all of which are built complete in Japan at Fanuc’s state-of-the-art robotic manufacturing facility. Accuracy is increased in the RoboCut α-CiB Series Wire EDMs via thermal displacement compensation, which compensates for thermal distortion of the casting when room temperature fluctuates greatly. Factory tests show that a 0.0002 in positioning accuracy and 0.0001 in repeatability are fully ensured, even during long burns. Also contributing to increased accuracy is the CiB Series moving tank design feature. Unlike a moving column design that can be susceptible to lower guide position inaccuracy due to pitch and yaw of the column, the CiB Series Wire EDM column and lower arm are fixed, so the table and work piece move rather than the column, ensuring the highest level of accuracy.

Machine speeds have also increased significantly, with a rapid traverse of 78.74 ipm – over twice the speed of previous machines. In addition, the “3D Compensation Function” reduces the need for indicating-in workpieces. This standard feature allows the operator to quickly measure the flatness of the workpiece and automatically tilts the wire to make it perpendicular to the surface of the work, greatly reducing set-up time.  Another time saving feature is “Core Stitch” slug retention, which prevents slugs from dropping and eliminates the need for clamps, further increasing efficiency. And the Advanced Automatic Wire Feed System can thread through the kerf, which allows for full utilization of this feature.

The all new Fanuc C800iB large wire EDM offers a maximum workpiece size of 49.2 in x 38.4 in x11.8 in and a robust maximum workpiece weight of 5,000 lb that is ideal for a wide range of work, including large molds, stamping dies and challenging applications such as complex aerospace parts. In addition, an automatic dropdown door enables easy access to the work area and trouble-free loading/unloading of parts. Several other important features come standard with each CiB machine, including the exclusive Fanuc series 31i-WB Wire EDM CNC Controller with the new iHMI User Interface (Intelligent Human Machine Interface), large program storage capacity and remote PC access from handheld or desktop devices, and the new Cut Linki remote machine monitoring software (Version 2.1) that monitors up to 32 Fanuc Wire EDMs, consumables life, and tracks machine efficiency, utilization time and has an easy maintenance service screen.

Similar to other Fanuc EDMs, the new RoboCut C400iB, C600iB and C800iB Wire EDMs are all capable of manufacturing complex components and offer seven-axis simultaneous cutting as an option. The α-CiB Series is equipped with the powerful, exclusive, user friendly 31iWB Control with a 15.1 in LCD touch screen. Models include:

• C400iB X, Y, Z travels of 15.75 in x 11.81 in x 10.04 in and U, V travels of  ±362 in.
• C600iB X, Y, Z travels of 23.62 in x 15.75 in x 12.20 in and U, V travels of  ±937 in.
• C800iB X, Y, Z travels of 31.50 in x 23.62 in x 12.20 in and U, V travels of ±937 in.

Methods Machine Tools, Inc., 65 Union Avenue, Sudbury, MA 01776, 978-443-5388, Fax: 978-440-9405, www.methodsmachine.com.