ve Your IMAGE», P. Schiller, Switzerland.€¦ · include die sinking. No burrs are generated with...

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THE GF AgieCharmilles CUSTOMER NEWSPAPER

DEAR READERS,

You will recall that at the 2007

World Exhibition of Machine

Tools in Hanover we handed out

our new customer magazine

«Results today». This was also an

opportunity for GF AgieCharmilles

– as a unifi ed brand in new clothes

– to present the interested public

with an impressive product

exhibition for the fi rst time.

In this edition of «Results today»

we again introduce you to some of

our customers, who have put their

trust in our innovative and leading

products for some time now.

Automation@GF AgieCharmilles

are not empty words but a reality

– a combination of cutting-edge

technology and know-how in

one. Our automation cell design,

which seamlessly combines

GF AgieCharmilles EDM and

milling technology with System

3R tooling, is unique. Here we

introduce you to automation in

words and images and you can

view the equipment itself in

Switzerland (Schaffhausen). Come

and visit us and experience «live»

the benefi ts of our automation

solutions designed to meet your

needs.

Are you already a member of our

GF AgieCharmilles Privilege Club ?

If not, then it is time to join so that

you can benefi t from the many

interesting offers of our After

Sales Service. Find out more in

this edition of «Results today».

We look forward to seeing you at

one of the many trade fairs during

the 2008 season.

Kind regards,

Dr. Jürg Krebser,

CEO GF AgieCharmilles

AUTOMATION SOLUTION ENABLES INTEGRATION OF MILLING AND EDMAutomation found its way to the level of machine tools long

ago. The range of options stretches from the simple tool

changer to linking machine tools to complex assembly lines.

At the same time, a clear trend towards the integration of

various production processes can be seen.

A plaster cast from the patient is the basis for fi nish-milled dental bridges.

DR. JÜRG KREBSER

A mold insert was used as a feasibility study for effi cient use of EDM and milling.

High-speed milling produced the mirror fi nish surfaces on a mold insert.

With GF AgieCharmilles die sinking EDM machines it was possible to attain a surface quality of Ra 0.5 μm in deep grooves.

Automated milling for precise series production of housing parts.

4-5

6-7

10-11

12-13

14-15

ENGLISHEDITION

02

FRÄSTECH 14

SCHAUB 10

WEIDMÜLLER 6

PRODUKTIONSTEKNIK 4

«Mov

e Yo

ur IM

AG

E»,

P. S

chill

er, S

wit

zerl

and.

Today, the scope of automation

goes beyond individual produc-

tion processes. As could re-

cently be seen at the 2007 World

Exhibition of Machine Tools,

successful automation enables

various production methods to

be brought together. EDM, High

Speed Machining (HSM) or High

Performance Machining (HPM)

are not mutually exclusive but

can signifi cantly complement

each other.

WHY AUTOMATION ?

If we consider the markets, it

appears that the main focus is

essentially on Europe, North

America and Asia. Whilst in the

European centers of industry, a

reduction in hourly machining

rates and the proportional wage

costs are a decisive factor, in

the developing Asian countries

(excluding therefore Japan,

Hong Kong, Singapore and

South Korea) there is hope of

better, reproducible quality and

a greater number of parts. As

far as motivation is concerned,

North America has to be put in

a similar category to Europe,

whereby hurdles to technical so-

lutions are so often more easily

overcome as far as they prove to

be fairly commercially plausi-

ble. In addition to the desire for

higher productivity and reduced

part costs in Europe and North

America, there is also the desire

to end shift and weekend work,

which is unpopular for commer-

cial and human reasons, as well

as an unproblematic capacity

adjustment to fl uctuations in

the number of orders. A further

aspect that must not be ig-

nored may be that at least more

complex systems, in addition

to actual parts handling, also

offer an information technology

framework (workshop manage-

ment systems), which supports

the transfer of data from the

production environment, as well

as the compilation and prepara-

tion of job related data. There is

a demand for reduced process-

ing and delivery times on all

markets.

WHAT ARE THE PREVAILING CONDITIONS FOR COMBINING SEVERAL MACHINE TOOLS ?

Flexible automation solutions

integrate key technologies for

tool and mold making or for

the production of high-qual-

ity components. Automation

combining individual produc-

tion facilities leads to particular

problems. In order to solve

such problems, the individual

production processes and their

sequences must be competently

controlled. A reliably functioning

mechanical system is a condition

for the processes. Clear respon-

sibility for the implementation

of automated production lines

should be a further prerequisite.

Having a person responsible for

the whole project is the optimum

solution here.

WHAT ARE THE POSSIBILITIES FOR MODERN AUTOMATION SOLUTIONS ?

As the simplest solution,

automation concepts are of-

fered, which have already been

incorporated into the scope of

machine development and are

seamlessly integrated into the

mechanical, electrical and con-

trol design of the machine tool.

Such devices involve very little

risk, since they are already fully

and clearly specifi ed and docu-

mented during the fi rst contact

between the potential customer

and sales personnel, includ-

ing the different confi guration

options available. The complex-

ity of the implementation, costs

and responsibilities of such an

acquisition are completely trans-

parent from the very beginning.

The most fl exible automation

solution is considered to be a

customer-specifi c automa-

tion solution, which to a large

extent mainly takes shape in the

context of the project specifi -

cation between customer and

supplier, as well as a technical

adviser. Typically in such cases

there is a production problem

in the foreground, for which a

suitable workpiece automation

must be specifi ed or for which,

in extreme cases, a production

process must be defi ned, which

in turn considerably infl uences

the choice of components and

the confi guration of the whole

system. The integration of dif-

ferent manufacturing methods

assumes an in-depth knowledge

of the production processes

and dependence between the

machining stages. Graphite

electrodes are recommended

for integrated processes that

include die sinking. No burrs

are generated with machining

of graphite (electrode manufac-

turing by high-speed milling),

an important condition is met

for unattended operation of the

equipment. Automatic cleaning

(Clean & Dry) of all machining

elements guarantees process re-

liable quality control and pre-ad-

justment (Zeiss Vista), whereby

the offset data are automatically

set, managed and used. The

measuring machine is sup-

plied with measuring programs

and started by the cell control

system. The basic conclusions

of the workpiece measure-

ment (good/bad) are monitored

and the calculated pre-setting

values (X, Y, Z, C) taken over and

included in the control system of

the other processes.

CAN PART HANDLING BE AUTOMATED WITH SIMPLE SOLUTIONS ?

Irrespective of the geographical

market and industry, automa-

tion solutions for parts handling

must be considered in a project

specifi c context. Experience

has shown that a consider-

able proportion of projects can

be completed using relatively

simple and cheap solutions,

whilst others require more

costly specifi cations and higher

investment. Concept Cell com-

bines machine tools through

a seven-axis, linear handling

device from Fanuc Robotics,

which operates a total of nine

clamping chucks (System 3R)

from 492 magazine positions for

pallets. All processes are man-

aged automatically by a central

computer with corresponding

cell control software. This is

where the Sigma software from

GF AgieCharmilles comes into

play.

Ralf Loettgen is Head of New

Applications, Systems & Automation at

GF AgieCharmilles (Switzerland),

Tel. (0041-32) 3661300, www.gfac.com

Concept Cell reliably combines several machining processes. It offers a reliable link between high-speed milling of graphite electrodes on a

MIKRON HSM 300, die sinking EDM of mold cavities on an FO 350 S and the manufacture of production parts by fi ve-axis high-speed milling on a

MIKRON HSM 400U and wire electrode discharge machining on an AC Challenge V2.

Workpieces are passed from machine to machine by an automatic workpiece application.

GF AgieCharmilles | Results today | 02

INTEGRATION OF MACHINE TOOLS 2

AUTOMATION FOR EFFICIENCY AND SUCCESS

The fi rst step towards automa-

tion – assuming consistently

working with reference systems,

– requires organizational meas-

ures in the workshop environ-

ment as well as appropriate

investments, which have to be

well planned. With advice and

discussion about the potential of

reference systems and their use

in practice, as well as the inte-

gration of such systems into the

machine tool, the path to suc-

cessful automation can begin.

Furthermore, GF AgieCharmilles

offers a complete portfolio of

integrated handling devices for

automatic changing of milling

tools. Palletized electrodes

and/or palletized workpieces

enable constant expansion of the

machine tool with the aim of uti-

lizing additional operative times

and reducing hourly wage rates.

Implementing more complex

systems consisting of sev-

eral machine tools, which are

supplied by a handling device,

is becoming an increasingly

common theme. The extensive

GF AgieCharmilles product

portfolio unreservedly facilitates

overall responsibility for linking

similar machine tools or for the

integration of different produc-

tion processes, e.g. one produc-

tion cell adopt milling machining

and EDM. It is evident that in

this context, the integration of

cleaning devices and coordinate

measuring machines is included

in quality assurance or defi ning

offset data.

Automation@GF AgieCharmilles.

We have automated our products

in accordance with your needs

and to bring you success.

Automation@GF AgieCharmilles. Every environment requires detailed and appropriate examination.

Every investment in the future must take into account demands of the market and company objectives

and, at the same time, be realistic. Automation@GF AgieCharmilles describes an integrated portfolio of

products and services with the aim of making our customers more effi cient and more successful.

SIGMA. SIGMA JE & SIGMA CM

are software modules for job

preparation (SIGMA JE) and

the control and monitoring of

production cells (SIGMA CM).

They are the basis for simple

preparation of operating cycles,

secure assignment of data to

identifi ed pallets and complete

transparency of production

sequences. SIGMA is the

recommended component of

all automation solutions that

integrate several machine tools

into one production cell.

Reference

System 3R

Integrated

Electrode- / Toolchanger

Integrated

Palletchanger

AT-PAL

Confi gured Handling Device

AC Master Flexible

Handling Device

Fanuc Industrial Robot

AC Partner

Confi gured Handling Device

Effi

cie

ncy /

Pro

duct

ivit

y

Investment / Equipment


NEW PRODUCTS | GF AgieCharmilles 3

ONE-TO-ONE COPYING OF DENTAL BRIDGES WITH FIVE-AXIS MACHINING

In 2003 Jacob Fornander and Ulf

Lepik founded Produktionsteknik

i Lund AB with the idea of

becoming independent using

their comprehensive know-how

in high-speed machining.

They started from the beginning

with MIKRON milling machines

from GF AgieCharmilles and

supplied companies in their

region in the south of Sweden

with prototypes, small series

parts, mechanical components

and devices. Due to the high

quality and precision of their

production, they soon received

their fi rst orders from the dental

industry. The two young entre-

preneurs quickly recognized

the vast potential of producing

dental implant bridges using

fi ve-axis high-speed machin-

ing and now exclusively produce

dental bridge implants with four

MIKRON HSM 400U machines.

For this purpose, the dental

technician makes a plaster cast

of the patient’s teeth and then

fi xes the mounting points to

the plaster model. The dental

laboratory uses this to make

a synthetic prototype, which

serves as a template for three-

dimensional scanning. A scanner

fully captures the dental bridge,

producing a 3D solid model.

This is where Produktionsteknik

i Lund AB’s machining special-

ists take over. From the CAD data

they develop the CAM program

for high speed machining.

FIVE-AXIS MACHINING WITH BITE

The CAM data for high-speed

machining of the dental implant

bridges are then linked to

standard master modules, so

that repetitive milling strategies

do not have to be reprogrammed

each time. The Heidenhain

iTNC 530 control system

allows user modifi cations

and optimization at any time,

which can then be stored as

a master – as practiced by

Produktionsteknik i Lund AB.

Due to the exceptional fi ve-axis

kinematics of the MIKRON 400U,

the company based in the south

of Sweden was able to make

«curved» bores in the dental

implant bridges and register

this as an application patent.

Produktionsteknik i Lund AB is

therefore in a position to keep

up with the new and increasing

requirements and developments

in dental technology and hone

them with its own innovative

production methods. For this

purpose, GF AgieCharmilles

high-speed milling machines

offer enormous potential, which

gives young entrepreneurs

such as Jacob Fornander and

Ulf Lepik the scope to break

new ground in production.

The titanium alloy blanks are

clamped on Erowa clamping

systems and machined with

a form tolerance of ± 20 μm

over the whole dental bridge.

The highest spacing and

angle accuracy is required for

positioning the anchorages,

since these are then used for

screwing the dental bridge into

the mounts anchored in the jaw.

Precision is essential for the

physical comfort of the patient,

which is fi nally tested with

tactile and optical measuring

instruments. Out of the whole

production process, 33 % of the

time is spent on machining and

17 % on scanning and creation of

the CAM program.

«GF AgieCharmilles high-speed

machines have enormous

potential, which gives us the

scope to break new ground in

production».

Jacob Fornander and Ulf Lepik, owners

of Produktionsteknik i Lund AB

EVERY DENTAL IMPLANT IS UNIQUELY MACHINEDLund in Sweden is the head offi ce of the recently founded Produktionsteknik i Lund AB company,

which has specialized in the production of dental implant bridges using GF AgieCharmilles

high-speed milling machines. New developments in the dental industry make the use of fi ve-axis

machining essential.


MILLING CUSTOMER | PRODUKTIONSTEKNIK 4

www.prodtek.se

It normally takes a week to complete the process from the patient’s plaster cast via a

synthetic prototype from the dental laboratory to the pre-machined dental bridge, before the

dental technician can fi t the patient’s implant and screw it in.

Traktorvägen 19 D

SE-22660 Lund

Sweden

Tel.: +46 46-33 51 81

Fax: +46 46-33 51 82

Contact

Jakob Fornander, Operations manager

Ulf Lepik, Production manager

www.prodtek.se

[email protected]

Chip-forming machining

– 6 MIKRON HSM 400U machines

with pallet changer from Erowa

(on 2 sites)

– 1 MIKRON UCP 600 Vario machine

with Robot PX from Erowa

Clamping systems

Erowa

Programming

ProEngineer

Measuring, checking

Measuring machine from Mitutoyo

Scan

Modern high-speed milling machines

often have four or fi ve simultaneous

axes for continuous operation. This

enables complex 3D contours to be

produced. Programs for this are mostly

created externally on CAD/CAM sys-

tems and contain a multitude of very

short linear blocks, which are trans-

ferred to the control system. Whether

the workpiece produced then actually

corresponds to the program created,

essentially depends on the geometry

behavior of the control system. With its

optimized tool path control, pre-cal-

culation of the contour and algorithms

for jerk limitation, the iTNC 530 has the

right functions to produce the perfect

surface fi nish in the shortest machin-

ing time. The iTNC 530’s short block

processing time of 0.5 ms for a 3D line

segment without tool offset enables

fast traversing speeds even on complex

contours. The jerk-free tool path

control when machining 3D shapes and

selected rounding of strung together

linear elements enables smoother

surfaces to be achieved simultaneously

with higher contouring accuracy.

Further information at:

www.heidenhain.de

The two founders of the company, Jacob

Fornander and Ulf Lepik inspect a new dental

bridge plaster cast.

KEYWORDHEIDENHAIN ITNC 530 CONTROL SYSTEM

A look at Poduktionsteknik i Lund AB’s

workshop, where the MIKRON HSM 400U

machines are controlled using iTNC 530

control systems.

Jacob Fornander and Ulf Lepik are checking the machining progress on the high speed

milling milling machine MIKRON HSM 400U.

Due to the toughness of the material, the titanium alloy of the dental bridges requires

continuous feed as well as constant use of coolant.

THE COMPANYPRODUKTIONSTEKNIK I LUND AB


MILLING CUSTOMER | PRODUKTIONSTEKNIK 5

BEST TOOLS THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE LIFE CYCLE

Weidmüller is an internationally

oriented group of companies

with its own production facilities,

sales companies and represent-

atives in more than 70 countries.

The company, whose headquar-

ters are in Detmold in Germany’s

North Rhine-Westphalia, posted

sales of more than € 500 million

in 2007 and employs around 3500

people worldwide. The in-house

tool shop assumes full respon-

sibility for the start-up of all new

products up to the fi rst delivery.

This also includes the coordi-

nation of an effective supplier

network from Detmold. The tool

shop also demonstrates extraor-

dinarily high process transpar-

ency with «total cost of owner-

ship estimates», with which life

cycle costs are documented. It is

therefore a matter of course that

proven methods are continuously

analyzed and improved, such as

the production of mold inserts

for an injection mold to produce

terminal blocks.

DIE SINKING EDM WITH POTENTIAL FOR IMPROVEMENT

Terminal blocks are multifunc-

tional synthetic parts, which

Weidmüller manufactures by

the million in different sizes

and variations. The tools used

for this must meet stringent

precision and durability stand-

ards. Therefore, the Weidmüller

tool shop is constantly seeking

possibilities for improvement.

Up until now mold inserts were

machined using die-sinking

EDM with high-speed milled

graphite electrodes, whereby

all geometries were connected

in an exemplary way to a single

electrode. With this method,

much experience was required to

determine the correct electrode

undersize, since the mold insert

has both fi ligree geometries and

large volumes to be removed,

which could have increased the

machining time sixfold with a too

small electrode undersize. The

volume to be removed, including

for ribs, amounted to 28 100 mm2

in total. It took 82 minutes to

produce a graphite electrode us-

ing high-speed milling.

TECHNOLOGY MIX FOR OPTIMUM ECONOMIC EFFICIENCY

In cooperation with

GF AgieCharmilles Germany

(GFAC-D), Weidmüller started

a feasibility study to further

improve the fi rst-rate production

of the mold cores. With the CAD

data provided by Weidmüller,

Corinna Kölle, a GFAC-D

graduate engineer redefi ned

the machining. For this pur-

pose, a graphite electrode was

designed, which only machined

the ribs using die-sinking EDM

and large volumes were put out

by hard material milling. This

was carried out at GFAC-D us-

ing an AGIETRON Hyperspark

2 HS and a MIKRON XSM 400.

In this way the frontal engag-

ing surface could be reduced to

6400 mm2, as only the ribs were

spark-eroded. The fi rst priority

with HSC milling was then preci-

sion, with ± 0.01 as the objec-

tive. Secondly, a surface quality

of at least Ra 0.8 μm was to be

achieved and, thirdly, an over-

all milling time of 40 minutes

was not to be exceeded. Due to

the partnership of Weidmüller

and GFAC-D the fi xed objec-

tives were all achieved and the

outcome was so successful

that Weidmüller supported the

presentation of the mold inserts

at the 2007 World Exhibition of

Machine Tools. This example

shows that technology design is

not as clear as black and white.

Producing everything with die

sinking EDM is accurate, but

not always fast enough. Milling

everything cannot be economi-

cal due to the partly narrow and

deep grooves. Often only the

intelligent combination of HSC

and EDM brings the hoped for

improvement.

«With Agie, Mikron and

Charmilles we have had

GF AgieCharmilles milling

and EDM machines in-house

for many years and can only

confi rm the new slogan of

the Swiss company. We have

achieved more».

Uwe Fiene, Head of mechanical

production at the Weidmüller Interface

GmbH & Co. KG tool shop.

AN INTELLIGENT COMBINATION OF EDM AND HSCWeidmüller is the leading provider of solutions for current linkage, transmission and conditioning

of power, signals and data in the industrial environment. Its tool shop in Detmold is exclusively

responsible for preparing the tools for the production of these components. Weidmüller advocates the

combination of high-speed milling, die sinking and wire EDM as precision production methods.

GF AgieCharmilles Germany used Cimatron E

to prepare the CAM program for the MIKRON

HSM 300, which then generated the tool paths.

The new graphite «ribs only» electrode

was designed by GF AgieCharmilles

Germany using Cimatron «Quick

Electrode» and then produced on the

MIKRON HSM 300.

An illustration of an intelligent combina-

tion of EDM and HSC. The mold insert for

the injection mold for producing terminal

blocks with the «tools» used: EDM wire for

cutting the outer contour of the two mold

inserts, a graphite electrode for inserting

the ribbing and a milling cutter for removing

large volumes.


EDM+MILLING CUSTOMER | WEIDMÜLLER 6

www.weidmueller.com

Klingenbergstrasse 16

D-32758 Detmold, Germany

Tel: +49-(0)5231-14-0

Fax: +49-(0)5231-14-2083

Contact

Uwe Fiene, Head of mechanical

production; Ralf Runte, Head of die-

sinking EDM and milling; Andreas

Kriegerbarthold, Head of grinding

Udo Boehm, Head of wire EDM

www.weidmueller.com

[email protected]

Non-cutting machining

AGIETRON Hyperspark 2

AGIECUT Challenge V 3

ROBOFIL 200, ROBOFIL 2020,

ROBOFIL 2030, ROBOFIL 2050 TW

other electric discharge machines


MIKRON HSM 700, MIKRON HSM 300,

MIKRON VCP 600

other milling machines, Profi le

grinding, Jig grinding, Surface grinding

Automation

MacMaster (Hyperspark)

Multi Robot (Robofi l)

Astrol WPC (Graphite milling)

Clamping systems: Erowa

Programming: Catia V5

Measuring, testing

Presetting stations

Measuring machine from Mitutoyo

In 2006, Weidmüller Interface GmbH

& Co. KG was awarded third place in

the «In-house tool shop with over 100

employees» category in the «Excel-

lence in Production» benchmark

competition, which is held every

year by the German trade magazine

«werkzeug&formenbau». Here is the

speech given on acceptance of the

award by Lothar Pöhlker, the tool shop

Manager: Weidmüller is the leading

provider of solutions for current link-

age, transmission and conditioning

of power, signals and data in the

industrial environment. The tool shop

in Detmold has global responsibility

for the company’s tools. The required

tool technology is developed entirely

in-house. Tools for which know-how

is critical and complex tools are in

principle also produced internally. The

Detmold tool shop focuses on the man-

ufacture of new tools; maintenance

and repairs constitute approximately a

quarter of the work. Punching-bend-

ing tools and follow-on dies with high

standards with regard to tolerance,

durability and production capacity, are

produced. In addition to sheet metal

forming, sophisticated injection molds

are also produced (2 K technology,

injection molding of reeled materi-

als). Special purpose machines and

testing devices complete the profi le of

expertise.

Ralf Runte, Head of die-sinking EDM and milling and Uwe Fiene, Head of mechanical production

present the mold insert for a terminal block.

The mold insert was machined using the AGIETRON Hyperspark 2 die-sinking EDM machine.

This and a second die-sinking EDM machine were operated by the Workmaster handling

system from System 3R.

The graphite electrode is produced using

high-speed milling with a MIKRON HSM 300,

operated by a handling system that has 200

variably verifi able tool magazine places both

for workpieces and for tools.

Up until now the graphite roughing and

fi nishing electrode was used for die sinking

of the whole mold insert.

THE COMPANYWEIDMÜLLER INTERFACE GMBH & CO. KG

The Weidmüller Interface GmbH & Co. KG tool shop with multiple injection tools typical of the

company, for the production of terminal block housings.

For precise machining of large-volume

parts, Weidmüller uses the MIKRON HSM 700,

which also provides high acceleration with

maximum workpiece weight.

For diffi cult wire EDM work, Weidmüller

uses a ROBOFIL 2050 TW, which works with

both the fi nest and standard wires due to its

double coil device.

KEYWORDEXCELLENCE IN PRODUCTION


EDM+MILLING CUSTOMER | WEIDMÜLLER 7

NOT JUST FOR VOLUME CUTTING

The new vector controlled

15 000 min-1 and 20 000 min-1

motor spindles are designed with

high torque capacity for remov-

ing large chip volumes. With

peak capacity of 39 kW (S6, 40 %,

ts = 2 min) remarkable metal

removal rates can be achieved

with steel and aluminum. At the

same time, the combination of

high spindle speeds and dynamic

feed rates of up to 7 m/s2 and

40 m/min enable extensive and

uncompromising 3D surface

fi nishing.

HPM 600 HD MACHINE BASE

The low-vibration movement

control of all the axes not only

forms the basis for output

intensive roughing machining,

but also for dynamically precise

path guidance during surface

fi nishing. The computer-assisted

optimized GGG-slides are sup-

ported by a solid mineral com-

posite machine base with a net

weight of 5700 kg. The enormous

static mass is one of the success

factors of each MIKRON HPM

machine.

REDUCING NON-PRODUCTIVE TIME

There is a choice of several

automation possibilities for the

MIKRON HPM 600 HD – from the

proven MIKRON pallet magazine

to robot assembly by well-known

manufacturers. The automation

solutions optionally available

from MIKRON enable effi cient

machine use around the clock.

The result is a signifi cant reduc-

tion in down time and non-pro-

ductive time and consequently

high cost effectiveness of the

capital investment.

NOT ONLY FAST FOR MILLING

Due to the double arm gripper

system, exceptionally fast tool

change times of barely more

than a second can be achieved.

The customer can choose

between two tool magazines

integrated into the machine.

The standard version has 30 tool

places and can be extended to 60

places.

CHIPS SAFELY DISPOSED OF

Since with HPC milling, chip vol-

umes can take on considerable

dimensions, any accumulation of

chips in the working area must

be avoided. Due to sophisticated

detailed engineering, chip build-

ups are reliably removed from

the machine area, separated

from the coolant and disposed

of. There are various construc-

tion variations available for chip

management.

TOTAL COST OF OWNERSHIP

The new 15 000 min-1 and

20 000 min-1 Step-Tec inline spin-

dles stand out due to their easy-

to-maintain design. Inline motor

spindle means that the drive

assembly and spindle module

are separate assembly groups.

Therefore, the spindle module

can be replaced separately

and inexpensively. The drive

assembly is unaffected by this

replacement. Continuous oil-air

lubrication of the ceramic hybrid

bearing system ensures a long

life span of the spindle module.

OPERATION OF THE HPM 600 HD

The two light doors that close

above the corner can be opened

at a distance by the operator

and enable free access to the

work table. Large panes of glass

provide a good view of the work-

ing area. Regardless of which

options the Mikron HPM 600 HD

is equipped with, perfect acces-

sibility can always be taken for

granted. The established «smart

machine» modules help the

machine operator to simply and

effi ciently manager machining

accuracy, economic effi ciency

and the work process, also with

the new HPM 600 HD.

VARIOUS INSTALLATION SIZES

The three-axes HPM series is

available in three machine sizes.

Whilst for the HPM 600 HD, the

smallest machine of its type, the

starting signal for series produc-

tion has already been given, its

large sister machines, the HPM

900 and 1200 HD, will be avail-

able to customers in the fourth

quarter 2008. The machines

differ primarily in their X work-

ing range. This increases from

650 to 900 to 1200 millimeters

depending on the model. The

maximum workpiece weight is

1200 kilograms on the largest

machine. All three machine

sizes have a Y working range of

600 millimeters and a working

range in the Z direction of 500

millimeters. Consequently, large

workpieces can be machined

without a problem.

MIKRON HPM 600 HD. Whether for prototype construction,

mold making or fully automated small series production, or

for output intensive HPC (High Performance Cutting) milling

roughing operations or for dynamic surface fi nishing, the

MIKRON HPM 600 HD takes care of almost every requirement.

Process routes

Longitudinal X mm 650 900 1200

Lateral Y mm 600 600 600

Vertically Z mm 500 500 500

Work table

Slot table mm 800 x 600 1100 x 600 1400 x 600

Max. work piece weight kg 500 800 1200

Spindle

15 000 min-1 Inline motor spindle

20 000 min-1 Inline motor spindle

30 000 min-1 Motor spindle

Tool magazine Number of tools

Control system

Machine name

SK40 or BT40-CAT40

HSK-A63

HSK-A63 or HSK-E40

30 / 60 / 120 / 170 / 220

Heidenhain iTNC 530

MIKRONHPM 600 HD

MIKRONHPM 900 HD

MIKRONHPM 1200 HD

NEW MIKRON HPM – WHEN PERFORMANCE COUNTS



WIRE EDM: THE GROWING SOLUTION FOR GENERAL ENGINEERING

In comparison to traditional, me-

chanical operations required to

produce all types of components

and generally consisting of chip

removal, wire EDM is:

• More economical• Signifi cantly more precise• More effi cient in terms

of time saved

The costs cutting race is a fact

of life requiring a new approach

to production solutions. Innova-

tive companies take into account

the advantages of wire EDM

right from the beginning of the

CAD/CAM conception of parts.

This approach offers gains sig-

nifi cantly higher than the savings

obtained by the optimization of

manufacturing steps.

Wire EDM answers perfectly the

need of cost reduction thanks to

its specifi cities:

• Single cutting tool: the wire. Wire EDM does not require

multiple and expensive tools

to execute a complete job. This

specifi city eliminates the costs

of such tools and the costs

generated by replacement

due to breakage and wear,

re-sharpening and logistics.

• Unattended production Wire EDM allows fully-secured

part production in series, free-

ing up operators to carry out

other value-added activities.

• Simplifi ed parts clamping The absence of forces on the

part during the wire EDM proc-

ess of cutting minimizes the

investment in clamping tools

as well as the time to prepare

the jobs for machining (set-up

time).

• Ease of operation In just a few clicks, an

extremely large variety of

EDM technology offers to the general engineering sector

a large range of advantages, in comparison with other

conventional production processes, particularly milling or

grinding. The rear torsion bar holder of a

formula 1 racing car has been machined

as far as possible unsupervised with

EDM wire-cutting and die-sinking.

All openings and contours of this

throttle pedal bracket for the formula 1

racing sport have been wire cut.

This functional part has been com-

pletely wire cut out of a metall block.

Further processes or tools were not

applied.

Travel X, Y, Z mm 350 x 250 x 250

Travel U, V mm ± 45

Maximum work piece size mm 900 x 680 x 250

Maximum work piece weight kg 400

Maximum taper angle Angle/Height °/mm 25/80

Wire diameter Mm 0.15 – 0.30

Spool weight kg 8

Best roughness (Ra) μm 0.25

Technical data CUT 20The CUT 20 machine is on track

to become the wire EDM mar-

ket’s reference for all companies

manufacturing general engi-

neering components.

Its characteristics, its generator

of last generation and its best

ratio price/performance makes

the CUT 20 machine the product

and the technology to consider

as a key instrument for general

engineering operations.

parts and all kind of materials

(regardless of hardness) can

be, in a few clicks, put in

production with virtually no

EDM knowledge.



OPTIMUM USE OF MILLING AND EDM

Schaub Werkzeugbau AG was

established in 1980, employs 12

people and specializes in techni-

cal mold making. Since its foun-

dation, the company in Willisdorf

in the canton of Thurgau has put

its trust in GF AgieCharmilles

EDM machines and, over the

years, has expanded its machin-

ery to include HSC and HSM

milling machines also from

GF AgieCharmilles. In this way

the company is in a position to

produce high-quality tools with

complex shapes and polished

surfaces without any prob-

lem. The example of a double

injection mold for the produc-

tion of spouts for espresso

machines shows how Schaub

Werkzeugbau AG uses both

production methods for optimum

economic effi ciency.

CONTINUITY WITH PROGRAMMING AND CLAMPING SYSTEM

From the CAD data for the es-

presso machines spout, Schaub

Werkzeugbau AG designed the

injection mold as a mold with

two cavities for the required

service life of 1 million parts. A

1.2343 heat resistant steel and

a 54 HRC hardened steel for spe-

cifi c functional parts were speci-

fi ed as tool materials. Both CAD

and CAM data were continually

prepared using Cimatron, and

Quickelectrode from the same

manufacturer was used to gen-

erate the electrodes. Clamping

of the electrodes and calibra-

tion of the workpieces and mold

inserts, palletized on the Erowa

presetting station, was also con-

tinuous. In this way no «μm» was

lost through frequent transfor-

mations or manual tweaking.

SYNCHRONIZING PRODUCTION SEQUENCES

When manufacturing the

double injection mold, Schaub

Werkzeugbau AG coordinated

3 parallel production sequences

– that of the electrodes, mold

inserts and mold construc-

tion. Copper was chosen as the

electrode material, so as to be

able to reproduce the required

surface quality of Ra 0.1 μm

and the complex cavities true

to their shape. The roughing

electrodes were then milled

with 0.5 mm undersize and the

fi nishing electrodes with 0.2 mm

undersize on the MIKRON

HSM 400. At the same time, the

mold inserts were pre-milled,

bored, the outer contour cut

using wire EDM with 0.5 mm

oversize on the ROBOFIL 310,

hardened, machined with profi le

grinding, milled on a MIKRON

HSM 400 and fi nally machined

using die-sinking EDM on the

ROBOFORM 40. As the third par-

allel production sequence, the

mold construction encompassed

standard constructions, mold

cavities, cooling systems, bores,

struts, pushers and ejectors.

Assembly and the specifi cation

tests were then the last steps in

production of the double injection

mold, which had an overall toler-

ance of ± 10 μm. Milling and EDM

each took up 30 % of the overall

production time, thus emphasizing

their predominance as extremely

precise machining methods.

«We are impressed by the fi ne

cutting in a line, the high feed

and the extraordinary process

reliability of GF AgieCharmilles

milling machines».

Ernst Schaub,

owner of Schaub Werkzeugbau AG.

MIRROR FINISH SURFACES WITH HSC MILLINGTo produce the spout of an espresso machine, the Schaub company built the injection mold in only

6 weeks from acceptance of the order to the specifi cation test. To do this the Swiss tool making

company used GF AgieCharmilles high-speed and high-performance milling machines as well as EDM

machines.

Both the CAD and CAM

data for the mold insert of the

injection mold are prepared

using Cimatron.

All the components of the

mold insert are color-coded

by machining method using

the CAD tool design.

The CAM data also include

the milling trajectories

and strategies for the

GF AgieCharmilles milling

machines.


MILLING CUSTOMER | SCHAUB 10

Rottmühle 6

CH-8253 Willisdorf

Switzerland

Tel: +41-(0)52-657 24 54

Fax: +41-(0)52-657 33 45

Contact

Ernst Schaub, owner

Hansrudolf Schaub, owner

[email protected]


1 ROBOFORM 40

1 ROBOFORM 20

1 ROBOFIL 310


1 MIKRON VCP 600

1 MIKRON HSM 400

1 MIKRON VCE 800W Pro

1 MIKRON WS 31 CH

1 MIKRON WS 21 D

Jig grinding

Circular grinding

Rotation

Clamping systems

Erowa

Programming

Cimatron CAD/CAM milling

Quickelectrode CAD die sinking EDM

Measuring, testing

Erowa presetting station

with measuring machine

It is relatively diffi cult to say what

exactly defi nes technical mold making.

Today’s synthetic parts have certainly

assumed multi-functional tasks.

Whereas they were once cheaply pro-

duced decorations, now functionality

and materials are of greatest priority.

Therefore, technical mold making is re-

quired to produce tools with which for

example electroconductive synthetic

materials, low viscosity silicones or

fi ber-glass reinforced carbons can be

processed. In addition, the functionality

of these parts is not only confi ned

to the design, rather they must also

assimilate metal parts, electronically

shield by means of coatings, take over

support and traction functions and,

what is more, be a 100 % perfect fi t and

ready to install. Therefore technical

mold making tools are often equipped

with valves, rotation and molding cores,

complicated cooling systems and

integrated assembly functions, which

requires an interdisciplinary approach

from mold makers in various produc-

tion processes.

Owner Ernst Schaub proudly presents the mold

insert for the «espresso machine spout» double

injection mold.

KEYWORDTECHNICAL MOLD MAKING

THE COMPANYSCHAUB WERKZEUGBAU AG

The high precision and high speed of the milling machines, the virtuoso use of die sinking and

wire EDM, modern electrode production and comprehensive toolmaker know-how developed over

decades are the «ingredients» for Schaub Werkzeugbau AG’s success in technical mold making.

Complex shapes, fi ligree details, polished surfaces, diffi cult to demold undercuts, deep ribbing

and high contouring accuracy are the characteristics of technical mold making, which make the highest

demands on man and machine.

The MIKRON HSM 400 was used to

produce the copper electrodes.

All the mold inserts were pre-milled on

the MIKRON VCP 600.

The mold insert, mold core and the

«spout» fi nished part illustrate the mirror

fi nish surfaces.

All components of the mold construction were milled on the MIKRON VCE 800W Pro.


MILLING CUSTOMER | SCHAUB 11

DIE SINKING EDM TECHNOLOGY PUSHES FORWARD INJECTION MOLD TECHNOLOGY

Injection molding of thin walls, ribs and bridges on

sophisticated synthetic parts, which is called «thin wall

technology», requires high technology mold making. The

AC Hyperspark HS die sinking EDM machine provides the

opportunity to produce correspondingly effi cient injection

molds, which reduce plastic consumption and synchronize

with the assembly cycle.

With the AC Hyperspark Exact HS die sinking

EDM machine it has succeeded in attaining a

surface quality of VDI 14 (Ra = 0.5 μm) on fi ligree

electrodes using an economical operating method.

The manufacturer is well on the way towards

saving several tens of thousands of euros for

polishing work on this mold core and on other

mold cores in the course of a year.


THIN WALL TECHNOLOGY 12

Top and bottom of the Gigaset

housing with mold core and the graphite

electrodes used.

With fi ligree rib electrodes made of graphite,

grooves in the mold core were spark-eroded

with a surface quality of VDI 14 (Ra = 0.5 μm).

Linking as many geometries as possible on

the graphite electrodes has already brought

a perceptible guarantee of precision. The

MIKRON HSM 300 GraphiteMaster high-speed

milling machines have proven to be best for the

actual electrode production.

The double injection mold from Siemens

Home and Offi ce (SHC), Bocholt.

THE TECHNOLOGY TO PRODUCE THIN WALLS

Only engineers, designers and

production employees know

the secret to the good design

for a sophisticated injection

molded part, and yet there is

speculation of a «world record».

GF AgieCharmilles offers the

proof that it has mastered the

technical challenge of «thin wall

technology» for the inner ribbing

of synthetic injection molded

parts using its AC Hyperspark

HS die sinking EDM machines.

What is «thin wall technology»?

It is evident that several tons

less of plastic are needed if an

injection molded part, which is

produced by the million, weighs

a few grams less. An example of

this is the Gigaset housing.

WHERE POLISHING ENDS, HYPERSPARK BEGINS

Ribs, which previously were

perhaps 1 mm thick, are altered

by the design engineer to 0.6 or

0.7 mm – and then «problems»

emerge elsewhere. Supposing

that the groove in a mold core is

20 mm deep, fi rstly the electrode

production and die sinking EDM

are affected. A further problem

affects plastic injection molding,

in which «demoldability» and

process reliability are assumed.

On the core side the plastic

shrinks and must be ejected. Up

until now, once spark eroding

was completed (surface qual-

ity VDI 24), such grooves were

manually «stroke polished»,

i.e. the machine operator used

a thin piece of wood and high-

quality emery cloth to «stroke»

the places hidden to the eye and

therefore contributed to reliable

demoldability. This is impossible

when ribs become thinner and

grooves even narrower. Conse-

quently, professionals began to

demand from EDM a surface

that guaranteed demoldability

without post-treatment. VDI 24 is

too rough for this.

ON THE SAFE SIDE FOR THE TOOLMAKER

With Hyperspark HS (High Speed

fi nishing) generator technology,

Agie has succeeded in attaining

a surface quality of VDI 14 (Ra

= 0.5 μm) on fi ligree electrodes

using an economical operating

method. For the toolmaker and

injection molder, this value lies

«on the safe side» with regard

to demoldability. A comparison

of two injection molded parts,

for which demoldability was

taken care of conventionally

and without manual assistance,

shows no visible difference in the

products. Franz-Josef Sendler,

communications manager at

GF AgieCharmilles Germany,

said about the effects that, «In

the past it was inconceivable

to be able to produce fi nished

cavities for 142 thin ribs and

bridges with die sinking EDM.

Now hundreds of polishing hours

are saved and the geometry is

not manually encroached on.

The customer has reduced the

amount of plastic by 20 % and

cycle times by 25 %. This is a

contribution to making Germany

a true centre of production».

DISTINCTIVE MATERIAL AND COST SAVINGS

Siemens extensively used «thin

wall technology» on the cordless

«Gigaset» telephone. Bernhard

Schaffeld, of Siemens Home and

Offi ce (SHC) in Bocholt com-

ments, «Thin wall technology

had to be introduced so that the

previous injection mold cycle

time – and consequently the

assembly time on the assembly

line – could be reduced from 22 s

to 16 s. In this way the synthetic

parts do not need to be stored or

buffered».

Thin wall technology is also a

new challenge for mold mak-

ing. It has to be worked with hot

runner technology. Siemens

combines this with fi lms, which

are inserted and back injected.

For faster cooling, good conduc-

tive tool materials, in some areas

copper, must be used.

According to Schaffeld, thin wall

technology also produces other

problems, bringing processing

times, costs and quality into

balance. «However the opportu-

nities are vast», says Schaffeld.

«At the moment we need 50

working days from the fi rst stage

in the tool shop to be able to

produce the fi rst useable mod-

els. However, the trend is now

towards producing the same tool

in 35 working days. In Germany,

a high-wage country, we are

becoming not only cost-effective,

but also fast».


THIN WALL TECHNOLOGY 13

A SUCCESSFUL START WITH MIKRON MILLING MACHINES

FräsTech was founded in Janu-

ary 2003 by the current CEO,

Markus Ackermann, as a one-

man business with headquarters

in Balsthal. One month later

the fi rst milling machine was

commissioned. Today the infra-

structure includes a total of four

milling machines in the high-

performance and high-speed

fi eld for the production of cubic

parts for tool and mold making

as well as the mechanical work-

shop. In addition, effi cient tools,

software and automation with

incident and process monitoring

ensure high economic effi ciency.

Originally a supplier for tool and

mold making, FräsTech’s ma-

chining range has since expand-

ed from single and small series

parts to series production.

SERIES PRODUCTION IS ONLY ECONOMICAL WITH PALLET CHANGERS

FräsTech’s bread and butter

work is the manufacture of

mass-produced housing parts

for bank note readers. Small

bores have to be made in steel

1.4301 parts cut with a laser

and existing openings machined

away to one hundredth of a mil-

limeter position accuracy with

a surface fi nish of Ra 0.8 μm

(N6). For this purpose Markus

Ackermann produced four

aluminum holders, in which he

precisely milled the contours of

the parts cut by laser with the

exactly determined depth. In

this way the parts only have to

be inserted and clamped and

time consuming positioning and

leveling can be dispensed with.

From the outset production

was planned using the MIKRON

HSM 800 since it has a changing

device with a total of four pallets

in the dimension 800 x 600 mm

as well as additional equip-

ment for incident and process

monitoring.

PRODUCTIVITY MORE THAN DOUBLES WITH THE RIGHT MILLING MACHINE

«From the point of view of its

capability profi le, we could have

used our MIKRON VCE 1000

Pro for this machining work»,

explains Markus Ackermann,

«but after having done some

internal calculations everything

spoke in favor of the MIKRON

HSM 800». Therefore FräsTech

was alone in achieving a

machining time per pallet of

around 12 % faster and thanks

to the pallet changer of the

MIKRON HSM 800, 5 to 6 pallets

more per day could be machined

in single shift operation. Since

the housing parts required a

lot of positioning, the MIKRON

HSM 800 could fully bring to

bear its dynamic superiority

in accelerating and braking.

Moreover, the mechanical

design of the MIKRON HSM 800

is dimensioned for large and

heavy workpieces, so that

the required precision to a

hundredth of a millimeter was

achieved at the fi rst attempt. For

FräsTech, the simple operation

of the Heidenhain, including

automation (cycle call 320),

and the small installation area,

including the pallet changer,

complete the entirely positive

range of benefi ts of the MIKRON

HSM 800.

«With hindsight we can say that,

due to the sound advice of sales

manager, Thomas Brauen, we

have always made the right

purchasing decisions, so that our

production is ensured of a good

future with GF AgieCharmilles

milling machines».

Markus Ackermann,

CEO and owner of FräsTech.

ECONOMICALLY LOW-TECH PRODUCTION WITH HIGH-TECHNOLOGYWith four GF AgieCharmilles milling centers, the FräsTech company sets store by the most modern

production technologies in the HPM (High Performance Milling) and HSM (High Speed Milling) fi eld.

«Milling innovation» is also the motto of the company based at the foot of the Jura mountains in

Switzerland, which meets the continuously growing requirements of its customers with unconventional

solutions and high precision production results.

With four GF AgieCharmilles machining centers, FräsTech focuses on the high-performance

and high-speed segment of milling.


MILLING CUSTOMER | FRÄSTECH 14

www.fraestech.ch

Brunnersmoosstrasse 9

CH-4710 Balsthal

Switzerland

Tel: +41 (0)62 391 92 44

Fax: +41 (0)62 391 92 45

Contact

Markus Ackermann, CEO and owner

[email protected]


– 1 MIKRON HPM 1350

– 1 MIKRON VCE 800 W Pro

– 1 MIKRON HSM 800

with 4-position pallet changer

– 1 MIKRON VCE 1000 Pro

with 2-position pallet changer

Clamping system

Delphin from System 3R

Programming

Mastercam for CAD and CAM

From the starting point that automatic

tool changers, coolant preparation,

swarf removal and integrated touch

probes are part of the best available

technology and are part of the scope of

delivery of modern milling machines,

automation usually starts with the

premise of the introduction of a

reference system. Pallets or other

zero point clamping systems are

typically used to fi x workpieces in a

defi ned position or to transport them.

In combination with the appropriate

functionality of the machine control

or high-performance workshop

management system, reference

systems are the essential fi rst step

towards automated production. The

next step is then introducing automated

workpiece handling. Good value

integrated changing devices offer an

optimum cost/performance ratio with

reasonable fl exibility and effi ciency.

They make a machining center into

an automated manufacturing cell,

which can be integrated into the cell

management system, e.g. Sigma,

through the appropriate software

functionality. For tool and mold

making or the production of repetitive

components with production times

of typically more than 30 minutes

per pallet, such systems have often

proven to be interesting alternatives to

comprehensive automation solutions.

The fi nished part from FräsTech illustrates

high precision in comparison to the part on

the left.

KEYWORDMILLING MACHINE PALLETIZATION

THE COMPANYFRÄSTECH

GF AgieCharmilles milling machines can be

palletized in various ways and allow individual

solutions. What is common to all changing

devices is that they can be integrated in order to

save space.

A pallet, equipped and ready-clamped

with 12 large and 12 small housing parts

apiece, is ready to be changed in the

MIKRON HSM 800 working area.

A pallet with fi nished parts is returned to

the change area of the MIKRON HSM 800,

put down, and the next pallet is brought

to the working area. A process that takes

barely two minutes.

Contrary to common company practice, the son has not joined the father’s business, rather

Markus Ackermann founded FräsTech and his father, Hans Ackermann, is employed by his son.

On the left the assembled housing part with the openings milled to a hundredth

of a millimeter. On the right the unmachined delivered parts.


MILLING CUSTOMER | FRÄSTECH 15

Achieve more...

Homologated wires by GF AgieCharmilles guarantee

constant production quality and optimised production costs.

Having consumables perfectly adapted to the machinery

naturally means more reliable installations. To ensure that

the right wire for every application can be found quickly and

easily, GF AgieCharmilles has introduced a new labelling

system. Service and easy orientation are clearly also a

priority for the Privilege Club’s new Internet presence.

The right choice of wire is

a decisive factor not only

for productivity, but also for

ensuring optimum results.

Research and Development

engineers at GF AgieCharmilles

have therefore got together with

leading wire manufacturers

to develop products that are

perfectly adapted to the various

customer requirements.

GF AgieCharmilles offers its

customers a broad range of tried

and tested erosion wires for

every sphere of application. This

ensures that the machinery’s

potential will be fully utilised

and maintains the value of the

installations.

In order to help customers

choose the appropriate erosion

wire for every machine and in-

tended application, the Customer

Services Team has classifi ed and

evaluated the wires according

to fi ve criteria: precision, speed,

surface quality, complexity of

form and price. These quality

characteristics are presented in

graph form for each wire, so that

the assets and corresponding

spheres of application of each

can be seen at a glance.

Furthermore, wire spools will

from now on sport standard-

ised labels in various colours to

indicate each type of wire: coated

copper wires have an orange-

coloured label, galvanised brass

wire is recognised by its blue la-

bel, zinc alloy-plated brass wire

is identifi ed by a green label and

the highly pure AC Brass series

brass wires are marked with a

yellow label (see picture).

© 2008 GF AgieCharmilles

The technical data and illustrations are not binding.

They are not warranted characteristics and are subject to change.

259.804.592

Imprint

Publisher

GF AgieCharmilles

[email protected]

www.gfac.com

Editor

Michael Katz

Pictures

Marinus van Breugel

Michael Katz

Graphic Designer

David Hirsbrunner

Copies

60 000

Appearance

Twice a year in English,

German, French,

Italian, Spanish and

Chinese

Printing

Poncioni SA,

6616 Losone,

Switzerland

No 2

© GF AgieCharmilles

2008

ORIENTATION MADE EASY WITH CLEAR PRODUCT LABELLING AND INDIVIDUAL ONLINE HELP

Brass wire with an AC Cut AH

zinc-based surface coating, for

example, carries a blue label.

This has been specially devel-

oped for GF AgieCharmilles ma-

chines and is particularly suited

to high-precision machining with

high surface quality. It enables

the perfect machining of cutting

punches and cutting matrices

in steel and hard metal. Using

AC Cut AH wires you can lower

operating costs.

Computer graphics immediately

highlight the positive character-

istics: precision is stated as 90 %,

while surface quality can even

reach 100 % (see illustration).

The product characteristics are

represented in the form of a pen-

tagon, thereby enabling a quick

comparison between the differ-

ent wires of GF AgieCharmilles.

Together with the new stand-

ardised labelling, this makes

orientation quick and easy for

the customer.

Things have also been happen-

ing on the Internet over the last

few months: the new customer

programme called the Privilege

Club is now online in France,

Italy, the US, Spain and Germany

and the UK. Other countries will

be following suit in 2008. With

this fi rst raft of services planned

branch-wide, GF AgieCharmilles

is offering attractive incentives,

in addition to its top-quality as-

sistance. For every Euro the cus-

tomer spends on consumables

and expendable (wear) parts,

he receives a club point. Points

are redeemable at any time

against the purchase of various

services. Whether it’s for user

training, preventive maintenance

contracts or application advice,

the use of incentives is an invest-

ment in the future. The Privilege

Club helps to get the very best

out of installations and therefore

increase competitiveness.

All GF AgieCharmilles customers

could become club members.

They are given personal access

data to enable them to register

directly and free of charge with

the Privilege Website at

(www.ac-privilegeclub.com).

Even here on the web site, speed

of orientation is a priority. After

logging in, users are directed

straight to their own member

space. Here they can monitor

their personal account status

to fi nd out, say, how many club

points they have collected and

what they can be used against.

They can also see which points

have been used thus far and the

corresponding validity date.

The Privilege Club account space

allows users not only to manage

personal data and add separate

delivery addresses, but also

provides access to a wealth of

exclusive information, such as

the e-catalogue for expendable

(wear) parts and consumables,

from which users can directly

place their orders. The past

months’ orders are also listed in

this section, thereby giving the

customer a constant overview.

In the section «My Workshop»,

the user can keep a list of the

company’s machines. In future,

Customer Services are plan-

ning to offer an extended raft

of services in this section, such

as an automatic maintenance

reminder, e-shop, download-

center or e-learning.

From now on, Privilege Club

members can have sneak

previews of advertising cam-

paigns and a privileged access

to special trade events and

workshops. The continuing rise

in the number of participants

only serves to confi rm the high

customer interest level.


CUSTOMER SERVICES | GF AgieCharmilles 16

ve Your IMAGE», P. Schiller, Switzerland.€¦ · include die sinking. No burrs are generated with...

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