GF AgieCharmilles FORM P 350

$240,000 - $340,000 Updated 2026-03-16

Key Specifications

X Travel

350 mm (13.8 in)

Y Travel

250 mm (9.84 in)

Z Travel

350 mm (13.8 in)

Accuracy

±0.001 mm

work table size

600 x 400 mm (23.6 x 15.7 in)

max workpiece weight

1000 kg2204 lbs

Overview

The GF AgieCharmilles FORM P 350 is a production-optimized sinker EDM with 350 x 250 x 350 mm X/Y/Z travel, designed for high-throughput mold and die production environments where cycle time and machine utilization are the primary performance metrics. The 'P' designation in the FORM P series stands for Production, reflecting the machine's heavier construction, larger electrode capacity, higher-power generator configuration, and faster Z-axis servo response compared to GF's standard FORM S series. The FORM P 350 is selected by toolmakers running high-volume cavity work, large die casting die programs, and automotive mold programs where multiple machines may run the same cavity designs repeatedly.

The FORM P 350 is equipped with an enhanced version of GF AgieCharmilles' iQ generator with a higher peak current rating, enabling faster rough-cut material removal rates in large-volume electrode applications. Peak discharge currents of up to 120A (versus 80A on the FORM S 350) allow the FORM P to machine larger electrode contact areas in a single setup without the current density limitations that slow down large-electrode roughing on lower-powered machines. For die casting die shops producing large core and cavity blocks, this higher current rating translates directly to shorter roughing cycle times and higher machine throughput.

The FORM P 350's Z-axis servo system is optimized for high-dynamic response to support fast electrode jump cycles, which maintain dielectric flushing in deep cavities by rapidly retracting and re-advancing the electrode. The higher jump frequency achievable on the FORM P reduces cycle time on deep-cavity work compared to the FORM S, where the servo's lower dynamic specification limits jump frequency at greater sparking depths. The machine accommodates electrodes up to 50 kg, enabling larger single-piece graphite electrodes that reduce the number of electrode changes per cavity.

The FORM P 350 competes with Makino EDNC43 and Mitsubishi Electric EA8PV-ADVANCE in the production sinker EDM class. It is the preferred choice for high-volume toolrooms where EDM capacity is a production bottleneck and maximizing throughput per machine is more important than achieving the ultimate surface finish quality offered by GF's FORM X series.

Full Specifications

Parameter	Value
X-Axis Travel	350 mm (13.8 in)
Y-Axis Travel	250 mm (9.84 in)
Z-Axis Travel	350 mm (13.8 in)
Work Table Size	600 x 400 mm (23.6 x 15.7 in)
Max Workpiece Weight	1000 kg2204 lbs
Max Electrode Weight	100 kg220 lbs
Drive System	High-dynamic ball screw servo (X, Y, Z axes)
Generator	iQ generator — production configuration, up to 120A peak
Surface Finish	Ra 0.18 um achievable
Max Material Removal Rate	approx. 12,000 mm³/h (high-speed roughing in steel)
Positioning Accuracy	±0.001 mm
CNC Control	AC FORM HMI with Tecform
Dielectric	Oil dielectric with high-flow flushing system
Machine Weight	approx. 5,500 kg (12,125 lb)
Electrode Changer	Optional automatic electrode changer (AEC)
Machine Dimensions	1600 x 2700 x 2858 mm62.99 x 106.30 x 112.52 in
Total Weight	4400 kg9700 lbs
Travel X Y Z	600 x 400 x 400 mm23.62 x 15.75 x 15.75 in
Min Max Distance Between Table And Chuck	190-590 mm7.48-23.23 in
Best Surface Finish Ra	0.1 μm4 μin
Capacity	750 l200 gal
Max Workpiece Dimensions	1000 x 700 x 400 mm39.37 x 27.56 x 15.75 in
Bath Level	150 - 450 mm5.91 - 17.72 in

Specifications sourced from gfms.com — verified 2026-03-28

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

120A peak generator current enables fast material removal on large-electrode-contact roughing — substantially faster cycle times than 80A machines on production die casting and forging die programs
50 kg electrode capacity accommodates large single-piece graphite electrodes for massive cavity roughing, reducing electrode change frequency and maximizing unattended run time
Higher-dynamic Z-axis servo enables faster jump cycles in deep cavities — maintains dielectric flushing more effectively than FORM S at greater sparking depths, reducing short circuits and stray arcs
1,000 kg workpiece capacity handles large die casting die blocks and automotive mold bases without size-class mismatch
Tecform automatic parameter selection maintains ease of programming on a machine whose higher-power generator has a broader and more complex parameter space than standard-tier machines

Limitations

Surface finish capability of Ra 0.18 um is lower than the FORM S 350's Ra 0.10 um — the production configuration trades ultimate finish quality for throughput; optical mold applications should consider the FORM X series
Higher machine weight (5,500 kg) and power draw than the FORM S 350 — facility planning for reinforced flooring and electrical service must account for the increased requirements
Cost premium over FORM S 350 is only recovered when production volume is high enough to convert faster cycle times into measurable throughput gain — low-volume shops do not benefit

Best For

High-volume die casting die shops producing aluminum, zinc, and magnesium die casting tooling where multiple identical inserts are produced per year and EDM cycle time is a production bottleneck Automotive mold manufacturers on high-volume programs requiring consistent cavity production across multiple FORM P machines running the same job parameters in parallel Forging die shops sinking large-volume cavity forms in H13 and H21 hot-work tool steels where material removal rate determines program cycle time Large toolrooms operating multiple sinker EDMs in a production environment where maximizing throughput per machine investment is the primary economic objective

Frequently Asked Questions

01 What is the practical throughput difference between the FORM P 350 and FORM S 350?

On a typical injection mold cavity roughing job — for example, a 150 x 100 mm cavity in H13 steel at 50 mm depth with a large graphite electrode — the FORM P 350's higher peak current and dynamic servo can reduce roughing cycle time by 30-50% compared to the FORM S 350. The specific gain depends on electrode contact area (larger electrodes benefit more from the higher current) and cavity depth (deeper cavities benefit more from the faster jump cycle). For fine-finish sparking passes, the speed advantage largely disappears as both machines operate at low discharge energies.

02 Can the FORM P 350 achieve the same surface finish as the FORM S 350?

The FORM P 350 achieves Ra 0.18 um on fine-sparking passes, compared to Ra 0.10 um achievable on the FORM S 350. For most production toolmaking applications — including automotive interior molds, consumer electronics molds, and standard die casting tools — Ra 0.18 um is sufficient. Shops requiring Ra 0.10 um or better for optical or mirror-finish applications should use the FORM S 350 or consider the higher-specification FORM X series.

03 What is the automatic electrode changer capacity on the FORM P 350?

The optional automatic electrode changer (AEC) for the FORM P 350 is available in configurations ranging from 6 to 20+ electrode positions depending on electrode size. For large-electrode production programs, a 6-8 position magazine may cover a full cavity sequence (rough, semi-finish, finish electrodes for multiple cavity features). For multi-cavity dies with smaller electrodes, higher-capacity magazines enable longer unattended runs. The AEC configuration is selected at order time based on the specific production application.

04 Is the FORM P 350 suitable for carbide workpieces?

Yes. The FORM P 350's iQ generator includes technology tables for cemented tungsten carbide workpieces with copper-tungsten electrodes, which are standard for carbide sinker EDM. Carbide machining on the FORM P operates at lower discharge energies than steel, which partially offsets the machine's throughput advantage on steel. For production-volume carbide work (carbide punches, carbide dies, carbide nozzle inserts), the FORM P's higher-capacity electrode handling still provides workflow advantages over the FORM S.

05 How does the FORM P 350 integrate with factory automation?

The FORM P 350 supports integration with pallet-based workpiece automation and electrode management systems. GF Machining Solutions offers System 3R WorkMaster and compatible tooling systems for automated pallet exchange, maintaining positioning repeatability across workpiece and electrode changes in automated cell configurations. The AC FORM HMI provides external interface signals for cell controller integration. Production toolrooms running 24-hour operations commonly pair FORM P machines with System 3R pallet automation to maintain utilization through unmanned shifts.