GF AgieCharmilles FORM E 350

The GF AgieCharmilles FORM E 350 is the compact entry point in the AgieCharmilles sinker EDM lineup, built for mold and die shops that need a reliable die-sinking machine without blowing the budget or eating up floor space. At just one meter wide, it's one of the smallest full-capability sinker EDMs on the market, and it doesn't cut corners to get there.

Travel is 350 x 250 x 250 mm (13.8 x 9.8 x 9.8 in) on a cross table that handles workpieces up to 800 x 500 x 265 mm (31.5 x 19.7 x 10.4 in) and 200 kg (440 lb). That's plenty of room for most injection mold cavities and stamping die inserts. The electrode head takes up to 50 kg (110 lb), which covers even larger graphite roughing electrodes without concern.

The heart of the machine is GF's proprietary Intelligent Speed Power Generator (ISPG), delivering 80A peak current. The ISPG continuously optimizes the spark process in real time, which dramatically cuts electrode wear and produces consistent surface finishes down to Ra 0.1 um (4 uin). For shops doing textured mold work, there's an optional GammaTEC finishing package that optimizes high-gloss surface quality on large-area cavities.

Four axes interpolate simultaneously, so you can burn curved recesses and undercuts by rotating the C-axis during the burn cycle. The C-axis is built rugged enough to maintain positioning precision at full 80A current regardless of electrode weight, which isn't always the case on entry-level machines. Positioning resolution sits at 50 nm, and accuracy is maintained by linear glass scales on the cross table.

The FORM E 350 comes with a 4-position Linear Tool Changer (LTC) for unattended multi-electrode work, and it's automation-ready with System 3R robot integration. The AC FORM HMI control was developed based on input from working mold makers, so job setup follows a logical workflow rather than forcing you to think like a programmer. Mix-material technology lets you start fast with graphite roughing electrodes and switch to copper for finish passes, all in one automated sequence.

The dielectric tank holds 270 liters (71 gal), and the whole machine weighs 1,730 kg (3,748 lb) without fluid. It's worth noting that the FORM E series machines are manufactured in China (the machine tool portion), while the ISPG generator and control technology come from Switzerland. New machines typically price between $60,000 and $90,000 depending on options. Used units from 2018-2022 appear in the $30,000-$55,000 range. Rapid traverse runs at 4,000 mm/min (157 ipm) on X/Y and 6,000 mm/min (236 ipm) on Z. Specs sourced from GF Machining Solutions published data, Peak EDM dealer listings, and verified used-equipment marketplaces.