The Cut P range of wire-cut machines (350, 550, 800 and 1250) from Coventry-based GF Machining Solutions Ltd (www.gfms.com/uk) features efficient digital power generators and intuitive human-machine interfaces (HMIs), as well as several automation options for ‘lights out’ and unattended operation.

The company’s Intelligent Power Generator (IPG) technology allows surface finishes as good as Ra 0.10µm to be achieved, and it boosts cutting speeds by up to 20% compared with previous models.

Moreover, several Expert systems further optimise the IPG’s cutting performance, especially in challenging applications.

For example, the Power-Expert software module monitors and changes the power levels as necessary when the machine is cutting parts with variable heights, while the Wire-Expert system dynamically controls wire wear to achieve continuous and consistent geometrical accuracy from all directions.

Profil-Expert automatically adapts the machining parameters and the cut path for rough and skim passes, to provide ‘excellent control’ of fine details and to ensure positioning and contour accuracies of ±2µm, while Taper-Expert technology cuts angles from 0 to 30deg (45deg as an option) to maximum Z heights (it corrects shifts of the Z-reference position in real time, even when the taper angle is changing).

Cut P machines also feature integrated temperature regulation systems that maintain temperatures within ±0.2°C, as well as collision protection technology in the X, Y, U, V and Z axes; this prevents machine damage and eliminates costly down-time and maintenance, even at maximum axis travel speeds of 3m/min.

Meanwhile, the Windows-based AC CUT HMI 2 user interface simplifies file management and maximises operator efficiency with a 19in touch-screen and i7 CPU technology.

This system, which supports intuitive programming directly on the control, is also ready for the Internet of Things/Industry 4.0 with eConnectivity features that connect the machine to larger shop management systems.

New automation solutions include automatic slug management, automatic slug welding and Renishaw probing systems for cutting processing time by up to 20% in ‘lights out’ operations.

Additionally, the CUT P 350 and 550 machines can be integrated with robots such as the System 3R WorkPartner 1+ for the automatic loading and unloading of parts for a single machine or a two-machine cell.

The machines can process parts from less than 1mm up to 800mm in height and weighing up to 6,000kg. Wires are available in diameters of 0.1, 0.15, 0.2, 0.25, 0.3 and 0.33mm.