Agiecut Vertex Featured in 'Frontiers in Micro Manufacturing' Zone Using Wire as Small as 0.02 mm Diameter


Chicago, IL - As part of the Agie US theme for IMTS 2006, the Agiecut® Vertex F will be exhibited in the company's Frontiers in Micro Manufacturing zone, booth D-4101. Since its introduction, the Vertex has proven it is possible to achieve surface finishes with wire-cut EDM of 0.05 µm Ra in continuous operation. The "F" version can use wire as small as 0.02 mm dia. to wirecut features in the sub-micron range.

At the heart of the innovation is the new table design that separates the X and Y axes on a patented monoblock. A traveling table on the machine bed carries the work tank and moves the workpiece in the X direction exclusively. A second axis slide, also movable in the horizontal plane on the machine frame, accommodates the upper part of the C-frame and moves the wire in the Y direction. This configuration delivers ideal travels, positioning accuracy and taper cutting capability for machining complex, high precision parts.

The Agiecut Vertex is as productive as it is precise. Dual wire spools for wires 0.008 in to 0.0008 in (0.2 to 0.02 mm) Ø make it possible to switch between wires of different diameters automatically. Programmable via the machine control, the forward feed of the wires, just like the threading, takes place automatically and is monitored by patented sensors.

To simplify machine setup and increase uptime, a built-in Agiesetup 3D probing system automatically locates the workpiece in the work area. This feature saves an average of 20 minutes per part when compared to traditional methods of workpiece set up. Here's how it works: Agiesetup 3D uses an integrated probe to check the top surface of a workpiece and programs the angle of the EDM wire to match the A/B angle of the workpiece. Then after the wire is square to the work being machined, the wire picks up a specified side surface and then rotates the program to match the C-skew of the block. This feature can be programmed off-line and executed unattended.

For more information on the new Agiecut Vertex and the complete line of Agie EDM systems for wire and die sinking applications, contact Agie US, 575 Bond Street, Lincolnshire, IL 60069, 1-800-438-5021, agieus.com. Agie US is a unit of Agie Charmilles Corp. and is responsible for the marketing, sales and service of Agie EDM systems in the United States and Canada.

For more information, contact:
Lloyd Dunlap
630-416-9750

All Topics