France – The debate between graphite and copper as the best EDM electrode material to use has been long-standing. Many argue that graphite is the preferred material while others stand firm with their preference for copper. Poco Graphite completed a test to find out.

USA – Millstar has introduced an aluminium milling cutter line for precise cutting tool solutions.

USA – With its affordable Accute-X “Great Economy” (GE) wire EDM machines, US-based Absolute Machine Tools offers a line of machines reportedly combining high cutting speed and accuracy.

A manager at one of the partners dubbed the agreement a “perfect fit”.

Israel – Cimatron has released Cimatron E 12, the latest version of its integrated CAD/CAM software.

Adding a technique to split chips helps cutting inserts increase their productivity while improving the machining process, according to cutting tool supplier Iscar.

Compared to other materials, aluminium is rather simple to machine. At least it seems much more effortless than steel, for example. Nevertheless, there are several mistakes that can be made when machining this material, including the choice of the wrong tool, that impact productivity.

Germany – Stainless steel is difficult to machine and thereby rapidly wears out special tools. In case of an end mill, a special nano coating as well as cutting edge geometry with unequal helix angles provide an optimal chip removal thereby ensuring lesser wear and tear and enhanced process reliability.

A software package for EDM has helped a UK-based mould-making shop drastically cut the time required for electrode design and production, and the company could soon be using more products from the program’s supplier.

Conventional chucks or face plates reach their limits in cutting applications where thin walled parts are concerned. the parts are deformed in the clamping process, shaping and geometric tolerances are difficult to adhere to and the interference contours of the clamping devices restrict the accessibility. However, there are alternatives.