Methods to Introduce Several New, Innovative Capabilities on Fanuc EDMs at IMTS 2014, Booth S-9119

Today, Methods Machine Tools, Inc., a leading supplier of innovative precision machine tools, automation and accessories has announced they will be introducing several new innovative features on their FANUC Wire EDM’s including on the RoboCut α-CiA Series.

A first in the industry, new Volumetric Taper Compensation with 4-Axis over burn control (TPCMP) is being introduced on the FANUC RoboCut α-CiA Series with a CNC FANUC Series 31i-WB control. This new taper compensation feature offers enhanced taper accuracy through compensation of top and bottom cutting amounts using a single value, and works with any material, thickness or angle within machine specifications. A new single access, easy-to-use FANUC-built CCR Rotary Table is now available exclusively on FANUC RoboCut EDM’s, offering the lowest priced rotary table available on an EDM today, and providing the range of motion that manufacturers in industries such as aerospace and medical require. The new rotary table also offers a water leak monitoring function that shuts the machine down upon water detection, to minimize water-related repairs.

For efficient graphite cutting, a new Pulse Mode on the FANUC RoboCut α-CiA Series achieves an excellent surface finish in a single pass, resulting in time savings and consistency when machining electrodes. The new Pulse Mode is capable of cutting ribs as thin as .013 in. and graphite up to 8 in. thick. With a new anti-recast power supply, ideal for aerospace and medical applications, offers recast is virtually undetectable at 1,000x magnification in high nickel alloys, stainless and titanium.

A specially designed power supply and twin servo tension control make thin wire cutting faster and more efficient. FANUC RoboCut Wire EDM’s will be shown at IMTS with the latest in Thin Wire Innovations which offer highly reliable threading of .002 in.Ø wire through a .006 in.Ø start hole with tungsten wire, including an inside corner radii as small as .0011 in.

And the world-renowned FANUC Auto-Threader, the industry’s fastest most reliable AWF system, now offers a new Taper AWR feature which enables threading at a taper angle up to 5° up to 2 in. thick.

Performing multiple jobs is efficient on the FANUC Wire EDM’s by utilizing new work coordinates (fixture off-sets) to easily move from one set-up to another. To accommodate a large volume of jobs, 1,000 User Technology Registers and 4 MB of program storage are now available to store and recall programs and cutting conditions.

FANUC RoboCut C400iA and C600iA Wire EDMs are capable of manufacturing complex components and offer seven-axis simultaneous machining as an option. The α-CiA Series is ideal for machining a wide range of materials including cobalt-chrome, high-nickel alloys and titanium often found in challenging applications such as aerospace, medical and military.

The α-CiA Series is equipped with the powerful and exclusive CNC FANUC Series 31i-WB control with a 15.1″ LCD touch screen. Models include:
– C400iA 10″ standard and iMed with X, Y, Z travels of 14.6″ x 10.6″ x 10.2″ and U, V travels of ± 2.362″
– C600iA 12″ standard and iMed with X, Y, Z travels of 23.6 ” x 15.7″ x 12.2″ and U, V travels of ± 3.937″.
– C600iA 16″ standard with X, Y, Z travels of 23.6 “x 15.7″ x 16.2″ and U, V travels of ± 3.937”.

Methods Machine Tools, Inc. has been a leading supplier of precision machine tools, automation and accessories for over 55 years, providing extensive applications engineering support, installation, parts, service and training through a network of large state-of-the-art technology centers and dealers throughout North America. Methods Machine Tools, Inc. is the exclusive North American source of sales, service, and training support for FANUC Wire EDM Machines and Vertical Machining Centers.

For more information, please contact Mr. Steve Bond, National Sales Manager, RoboDrill, RoboCut and EDM Products, 65 Union Avenue, Sudbury, MA 01776, TEL: (978) 443-5388, FAX: (978) 440-9405, Email: sales@methodsmachine.com