Fanuc Wire EDM Machine Offers Advanced Features for Medical Production

The FANUC iMed wire EDM machine from Methods Machine Tools, Inc. is specially configured for continuous-duty production of parts such as medical instruments, implants and aerospace components. Offering FANUC’s exceptional reliability, the iMed provides cutting speeds, accuracy, surface finishes, and advanced features comparable to those of much more expensive machines. It is ideal for the production of surgical instruments, needles, stainless steel tubing and rods, orthopedic implements, dental tools and devices, laboratory equipment components, turbine engine vanes and blades and PCD tooling/tips.

The iMed is a workhorse EDM that combines high performance, low operating costs, and ease of maintenance. It uses economical brass wire (0.004”–0.012” standard) and comes with many standard features that are options on competitive machines, including a heavy-duty anti-electrolysis power supply, an energy-saving inverter-controlled DI chiller, AC servo-controlled water level for the work tank, and state-of-the-art FANUC 310i-WA CNC. The control provides nano interpolation, a 15” color touch-screen monitor, easy-to-use split-screen graphics with sophisticated yet simple drawing capabilities, interactive parts/maintenance assistance, multiple USB ports, and ethernet connectivity.

The FANUC iMed is designed and built for precision. Revolutionary “R” Real World Cutting Technology combines adaptive workpiece thickness control, advanced straightness and corner control, and adaptive pulse discharge control to ensure precision and maximize cutting speed under varying conditions including poor flushing or interrupted cuts. Accuracy is further enhanced through a rugged, thermally insulated cast Meehanite base and table travels with no load-overhang during table movement. Heavy-duty ball screws for the X & Y axes are double-anchored and encapsulated to prevent contamination, ensuring decades of trouble-free operation.

The iMed’s patented twin AC servo wire tensioning system reduces tension variations to ¼ that of conventional wire machines.