About CFK

CFK – your competence center for Wire EDM, Die Sinking, Drill EDM, Micro EDM and Selective Laser Melting

CFK is one of the leading centers for high-precision Wire EDM, Die Sinking, Drill EDM, Micro EDM and a professional partner for additive manufacturing in metal. We machine demanding, safety-relevant components with extremely high precision for a wide variety of customers. Component weights range from 0.002 g to 4 tons, and workpiece sizes from the μm to the meter scale.

We have over 33 years of experience in the area of EDM processes. Our comprehensive expertise in 3D printing is based on Selective Laser Melting developed by CEO Dr.-Ing. Christoph Over and others at the Fraunhofer Institute, along with more than 15 years of experience in its practical application. For continuous development and implementation of the latest technologies, we work in research and development with RWTH Aachen and the Fraunhofer Institutes for Laser Technology and Production Technology.

CFK is certified compliant with DIN EN ISO 9001, DIN EN 9100 and Nadcap.

Electro Discharge Machining

Electro Discharge Machining (EDM) is used for high-precision manufacturing, since with this method all electrically conductive materials, such as steel, aluminium, titanium, nickel-based alloys, tungsten carbide, etc., can be machined to a thousandth of a millimetre precision without mechanical strain.

As a manufacturing and processing specialist, CFK can offer Electro Discharge Machining for a precision fit and the best possible processing quality, as well as the fastest possible implementation of even complex orders. In particular for small components, Electro Discharge Machining is the only option that can cut notches and holes with precise corners and angles.

The workpiece to be processed is handled during manufacturing in a non-conductive liquid. The processes are available in the variants of Wire EDM and Die Sinking. Drill EDM is a special case of Die Sinking (also called fast hole EDM).
While with Wire EDM there is always a wear, free tool available in the form of a continuous wire electrode, with Die Sinking the electrode is shaped within the workpiece. In this case wear occurs on the surfaces of the electrode used, which must be corrected to achieve a specific finished dimension.

The low material stress of this type of manufacturing ensures particularly high surface quality, and its long service life also reduces maintenance costs in your factory. As a result, you get cost, effective, perfect fit and dimensional accuracy of high quality.

CFK offers quality, time and cost advantages all along the line.

Additive Manufacturing – Selective Laser Melting

Selective Laser Melting is a powder-bed based process with laser beams fusing metallic powder layer by layer. This type of manufacturing process makes complex and conformal three-dimensional geometrical forms feasible. With its geometrical freedom, this technology complements previous conventional manufacturing processes.

As part of the Selective Laser Melting process, a defined powder layer is fused with a laser. This is repeated layer by layer, thus manufacturing a component based on a 3D CAD file. The process allows for components with a density of up to 100 % which shows the same mechanical properties as the ones manufactured conventionally. Various metal alloys can be used as powdered materials and series-production materials such as different types of steel, titanium and aluminium alloys, high heat resistant materials and copper alloys are used as well.

The Selective Laser Melting technology can also be used to directly produce entire units. These can be further improved with a topological optimisation process, saving weight, material and manufacturing time. Resulting from these improvements the new components are cost-efficiently manufactured using less materials and possibly even less processing steps.

Applications for Selective Laser Melting: manufacturing of prototypes, individual implants (medical technology), small to medium lot services and light weight construction.

CFK-Team

We know that a large part of our success is due to the capabilities of our qualified employees. This combination of highly qualified technicians with intensive know-how and years of experience and a technological highly developed machinery leads to the best possible results in EDM machining and additive manufacturing. High-precision measuring equipment ensures accuracy that meets the highest possible quality standards. This is highly valued by our customers in medical technology, aerospace, tool and machine design, energy technology and the electrical industry.