Page 14 - Summer 2024 EDM Today

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In 1969, Agie was the first to introduce a mass-produced
Wire EDM with its model DEM-15. This revolutionary
technology gave metalworking industries a means to
produce parts with geometries that were difficult, if not

impossible, to produce with other machining methods.
The DEM-15 led to the development of the Agiecut F-Series,
which was very successful in the 1980s.

A few years later, in 1974, Charmilles released its first
Wire EDM – the model 290.
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While Agie and Charmilles continued to develop and refine
their technology, ELOX corporation in the USA was similarly
developing new EDM technology. In 1990, Agie acquired
Elox. This acquisition added Elox technology and expanded
Agie’s market share in North America.
In 1983, Georg Fischer acquired Charmilles, and in 1996,
Georg Fischer acquired a majority stake in Agie. For a while,
the two companies worked together as AgieCharmilles.
However, in 2014, GF executed a rebranding campaign and
brought all of its various metalworking companies under the
umbrella of GF Machining Solutions. The rebranding was in
response to changing customer demand for more complete
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solutions to manufacturing challenges.

Customers were looking to achieve specific manufacturing
goals that often required several different machines, tooling,

fixturing, and various levels of automation. The rebranding
F-Agiecut Wire EDM Circa 1984
F-Agiecut Wire EDM Circa 1984
was a way for GF Machining Solutions to be a one-stop shop
where a complete package could be assembled that would
provide guaranteed compatibility and a single point of support
for training, application support, and service.

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+GF+ Satellite IMTS 2022 Centerpiece
+GF+ Satellite IMT
S 2022 Centerpiece
An example of the new approach was showcased at IMTS 2022 with the show centerpiece, the +GF+ satellite.

This remarkable showpiece was created entirely with an assortment of equipment produced by GF Machining
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Solutions. The satellite was featured as the cover story of EDM Today’s Winter 2023 issue.
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