GF AgieCharmilles to Introduce Milling and EDM Innovations Backed by Comprehensive Service and Support at IMTS 2012


Lincolnshire, Illinois, - At the International Manufacturing Technology
Show (IMTS), taking place Sept. 10 - 15 at the McCormick Place in Chicago, Ill., GF
AgieCharmilles will demonstrate its latest innovations in high-performance and highspeed milling, which includes an all-new high-efficient machining technology, as well as new advancements in wire and die-sinking EDM.

In booth S-8754, IMTS attendees will be able to watch several of the company's milling
solutions in action, including the MIKRON HPM 450U with a pallet changer, MIKRON
HPM 1350U with a Siemens CNC and MIKRON HSM 400U LP with a pallet changer. Also
in the booth, show attendees will experience the company's wide variety of innovative
wire and die-sinking EDM solutions, including the CUT 2000 AWC with an automatic
wire changer and DRILL 300.

Visitors to IMTS booth E-5127 will learn how the GF AgieCharmilles' UPTIME+ service
and support program further leverages the competitive advantages of the company's
advanced product portfolio through applications expertise, comprehensive training,
technical assistance, preventive maintenance, world-class warranty coverage as well as
parts and consumables.

High-Performance and High-Speed Milling

Ideal for both micro and macro machining applications, the HPM 450U is a high performance milling solution that boasts a new torque rotary/tilt table for unencumbered, interference-free five-axis machining and offers highly efficient spindle
options. It is also a powerful solution for universal, automated production as it perfectly combines dynamics and stability. It easily adapts to suit a variety of customer requirements, offering impressive machining from simple drilling to complex five-sided and simultaneous five-axis machining processes.

The HPM 1350U, available with a Siemens or Heidenhain CNC, is a high-performance
milling solution that offers simultaneous five-axis machining, while also providing
dynamic performance and high precision. By featuring linear motor technology for the
rotary axis, the HPM 1350U can produce large axis movements with unrestricted
access, making it well suited for heavy cutting and precise machining within the energy
industry. Built with a versatile milling tilt head and a 43.42" diameter rotary table, the HPM 1350U handles loads up to 3,306.9 lbs. with a rotational speed up to 40 rpm.

Perfect for processing aerospace parts, the HSM 400U LP provides five-axis
simultaneous high-speed machining and delivers powerful performance and accuracy
on all axes. The machine achieves speeds up to 250 rpm on the rotational axis and up to
150 rpm on the swivel axis, with a B-axis swivel range of 220 degrees. The HSM 400U LP
also uses a liquid cooled, linear direct drive motor technology to allow for short setting times and high dynamic rigidity of the attitude control. With powerful vector spindles available at 30,000, 42,000 or 54,000 rpm, the HSM 400U LP also provides excellent surface finish and part detail, while significantly reducing machining time for semifinishing and finishing operations. The compact pallet changer automation option and up to 220 tools offer a production power house solution.

Wire and Die-Sinking EDM

The CUT 2000 AWC with an automatic wire changer allows operators to easily switch
between different wire diameter sizes and types, optimizing both roughing and finishing
operations and reducing production costs. The CUT 2000 AWC employs universal wire
guide system, enabling it to accommodate wires from 0.010" down to 0.002" for micromachining and super-precision applications. The automatic wire thread and re-thread capabilities of the machine also facilitates unmanned, lights-out production, and the Vision 5 numerical control on the CUT 2000 AWC allows for quick, easy organization and management of multiple unattended jobs.

The DRILL 300 effectively machines holes in various diameters and workpiece materials, as well as brings high levels of flexibility to mass production environments. It employs electrodes ranging from 0.012" to 0.12" in diameter and incorporates several advanced technologies to precisely machine tough materials, including Inconel, titanium, steel and carbide. The machine has an ample Z-axis travel of 17.72" to maximize autonomy and a +/- 45° tilting head to drill angled holes. Furthermore, the DRILL 300's six-axis configuration makes it possible to drill round and shaped cooling holes in aerospace blades and vanes, while its indexing table also allows for the production of holes in a circular pattern.

About GF AgieCharmilles

GF AgieCharmilles is the North American leading supplier of laser ablation center, wire
EDM, CNC and manual diesinking systems and high speed/high performance 3- and 5-
axis milling machines. For more information on the company's products and services,
contact Gisbert Ledvon, GF AgieCharmilles, 560 Bond St., Lincolnshire, IL 60069-4224,
Tel: 1-800-CTC-1EDM. Gisbert.Ledvon@us.gfac.com, Fax: 847-913-5340, or visit
http://www.gfac.com/us.

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Gisbert Ledvon

Business Development Manager

847.913.5300

or

dgs Marketing Engineers®

Chuck Bates 317.813.2230

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