New Solutions for Graphite Machining

(Image courtesy of GF Machining Solutions.)

The information and communications technology (ICT) and automotive sectors both make extensive use of graphite molds for glass end products and graphite electrodes. Graphite glass molds for glass end products are especially common in ICT, while graphite electrodes are typically demanded by the automotive, electronic components, aerospace and packaging sectors.

Both of these applications present distinct challenges in terms of surface finish, precision, process reliability and productivity. That’s why GF Machining Solutions has unveiled the high-speed Mikron MILL S 400/500 GRAPHITE and Mikron HSM 500 GRAPHITE, designed specifically for graphite machining.

Machining Graphite Molds for Glass End Products

New products—like high-end curved touch screens—require molded glass and drive the increasing need for machined graphite molds. However, graphite mold manufacturing for glass end products presents specific manufacturing challenges. They require ±5 µm precision, Ra 0.4 µm surface finish and, depending on the application, as many as 90 minutes of dry or wet machining. Most importantly, they must be absolutely free from milling marks.

(Image courtesy of GF Machining Solutions.)

The MILL S 400/500 GRAPHITE was designed to address these challenges. As ambient workshop temperatures fluctuate and machining speed changes, the machines’ intelligent thermal management system and thermostabilized machine body can maintain process stability.

Precision and stability at the tool tip are ensured by the Step-Tec HVC140 Spindle, specially developed with accuracy and fluid tightness in mind. Its 42,000 rpm and 13.5 kW of power can provide the precision manufacturers need to tackle graphite molds, and it has thermal stability of less than 1.7 Kelvin around the machine support’s contacting surface.

Wet & Dry Machining

According to GF Machining Solutions, a single Mikron HSM 500 GRAPHITE and a System 3R WPT1+ consume just 10.4 square meters of workshop space. The company also claims that manufacturers can double their production capacity by equipping two Mikron HSM 500 GRAPHITE machines with a WPT1+ with up to 70 pallets in a footprint of 18.5 square meters.

(Image courtesy of GF Machining Solutions.)

User can also bring all three operations—graphite electrode machining, die-sinking EDM and automation—together in a single 19.5-square-meter cell employing the Mikron HSM 500 GRAPHITE, the AgieCharmilles FORM P 350 and the System 3R WPT1+ with up to 70 pallets.

GF Machining Solutions manufactures its Mikron MILL S GRAPHITE and Mikron HSM GRAPHITE machines in Switzerland and China respectively.

For more information, check out our in-depth feature, EDM 101: Electrical Discharge Machining Basics.