Page 13 - Summer 2024 EDM Today
P. 13
EDM Today Magazine resear EDM Today Magazine EDM Today Magazine
Many newer industry professionals know GF Machining Solutions because their machines are in service in their
plants. Still, they may not know the history behind the development of this great brand. In recognition of their 70
years in EDM, we believe this story is worth telling.
While some EDM hist
While some EDM historians trace EDM back to the 18th century, o the 18th century,
orians tr
ace EDM back t
the origin of what we recognize today as EDM technology has been oday as EDM technology has been
the origin of what we recognize t
attributed t
attributed to Russian scientists Dr. Boris Lazarenko and his wife . Boris Lazarenko and his wife
o Russian scientists Dr
Dr. Natalia Lazarenko. In the early 1940s, Boris Lazarenko was . Natalia Lazarenko. In the early 1940s, Boris Lazarenko was
Dr
ching a means t
researching a means to extend the life of electrical switches. o extend the life of electrical switches.
When testing switch contacts wetted in oil, Lazarenko recognized When testing switch contacts wetted in oil, Lazarenko recognized
om discharging a spark thr
osion effect resulting fr
the metal er
the metal erosion effect resulting from discharging a spark through oil. ough oil.
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v
That observation ultimately led Lazarenko to develop the first EDM rst EDM
That obser
ation ultimately led Lazarenko t
velop the fi
o de
machine. While Lazarenko is credited with developing early EDM veloping early EDM
machine. While Lazarenko is credited with de
technology, he did not create a commercially viable machine. cially viable machine.
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Dr. Boris Lazarenko
Dr
. Boris Lazarenko
EDM technology was refined and
further developed during the 1950s.
Two companies, Agie AG and
Charmilles, worked concurrently on
developing EDM into a commercially
viable machine. Agie was the first
company to bring a die-sinking
machine to market with the introduc-
tion of its Agietron model AZ4 in 1954.
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In 1955, Charmilles presented its
first die-sinking EDM at the EMO
show in Milan.
Agie EDM Machine Circa 1958
Agie EDM Machine Circa 1958
Early EDM technology was rudimentary
Early EDM technology was rudimentary
oday’
s standards. Yet, it demonstr
by today’s standards. Yet, it demonstrated
ated
by t
an ability t
an ability to perform work that was not
possible with other metalworking meth-
possible with other metalworking meth-
ticularly cutting very hard alloys
ods, par
ods, particularly cutting very hard alloys
and welds.
and welds. o per form work that was not
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EDM Today Magazine EDM Today Magazine ocess par velopments
Early Sinker tube-type power supplies
Early Sinker tube-type power supplies
o digital, tr
ve way t
ultimately ga
ultimately gave way to digital, transis-
ansis-
or-based units. Pr
ameters, such
tor-based units. Process parameters, such
t
as on-time and off-time, became precisely
as on-time and off-time, became precisely
olled. With ongoing de
contr
controlled. With ongoing developments
by both Agie and Charmilles, the EDM
by both Agie and Charmilles, the EDM
, more consistent,
pr
ocess became faster
process became faster, more consistent,
and capable of achieving levels of pre-
ving le
vels of pre-
and capable of achie
cision that were among the best in the
cision that were among the best in the
metalworking industry.
metalworking industry.
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EDM Today Magazine EDM Today Magazine (Continued on next page)
Charmilles EDM Machine Circa 1960
ca 1960
Charmilles EDM Machine Cir
11
EDM Today, Summer 2024 Issue
