New Five-Axis Milling Machine, Horizontal Wire EDM for Medical

GF Machining Solutions designed its Mikron Mill E 500 U high-efficiency five-axis milling machine and its Cut AM 500 horizontal wire EDM to provide medical manufacturers the key subtractive operations needed within additive manufacturing part production. Both machines are said to work seamlessly alongside GF Machining Solutions’ additive manufacturing systems for complete medical part processing and optimized workflow.

The Mikron Mill E 500 U features a large swivel range from 65° to 120° and the capacity for additive parts weighing up to 450 kg. With its tilting, swiveling table, GF Machining Solutions says the machine enables users to process a wider range of parts.

The Mikron Mill E 500 U’s 20,000-rpm Step-Tec spindle handles both rough milling and drilling operations and increases metal removal rates by 20% over previous models. Its rigid, stable C-frame cast iron construction reduces vibrations for increased precision and repeatability, while large guideways, a double side-supported rotary table and optimized chip evacuation reportedly enhance reliability and part quality.

Designed specifically for the additive manufacturing process, the Cut AM 500 horizontal wire EDM separates additively manufactured metal parts from build plates while maintaining geometrical accuracy and ensuring assembly readiness. According to the company, the machine is a fast, precise, affordable and automation-ready alternative to the use of standard vertical EDM equipment or band saws to separate parts from build plates.

In addition, the Cut AM 500 is said to resolve a number of quality barriers encountered by manufacturers created by the use of band saws, including but not limited to geometric inaccuracy, loss of workpiece material (kerf) and damage to the part. The Cut AM 500 reportedly eliminates any contamination and/or damage, making it ideal for risk-averse industries such as medical manufacturing.