GF AgieCharmilles CUT 1000 OilTech

$300,000 - $400,000 Updated 2026-03-14

Key Specifications

X Travel

1,000 mm (39.4 in)

Y Travel

550 mm (21.7 in)

Z Travel

400 mm (15.7 in)

Accuracy

3 um

u axis

+/-75 mm (+/-2.95 in)

v axis

+/-75 mm (+/-2.95 in)

Overview

The GF AgieCharmilles CUT 1000 OilTech is the oil-dielectric variant of the large-format CUT 1000 platform. While most wire EDMs use deionized water as the dielectric fluid, the OilTech version uses hydrocarbon-based dielectric oil, which provides significant advantages for specific applications: superior surface finish on carbide and PCD tooling, elimination of electrolysis-related corrosion on certain materials, and better dimensional stability on long unattended cuts.

Travel is the same 1,000 x 550 x 400 mm (39.4 x 21.7 x 15.7 in) as the standard CUT 1000, with identical 3,000 kg (6,614 lb) workpiece capacity. The IPG generator is tuned specifically for oil-dielectric operation, delivering optimized spark parameters that take advantage of the different dielectric properties. Surface finish in oil is typically 20-30 percent better than water-dielectric machining on equivalent skim passes, with Ra 0.05 um (2 uin) achievable on carbide and steel.

The oil dielectric eliminates electrolytic corrosion, which is a significant advantage when cutting reactive materials or when parts will sit in the tank over a weekend. Water-dielectric machines require careful attention to water conductivity and pH to minimize corrosion; oil machines eliminate this concern entirely. This makes the OilTech particularly attractive for medical device manufacturers cutting titanium and cobalt-chrome alloys.

Oil dielectric does come with tradeoffs. Cutting speed is typically 15-25 percent slower than water-dielectric machining on the same material. Fire safety requires additional precautions including a fire suppression system and proper ventilation. The dielectric oil itself is more expensive than deionized water.

The machine includes all CUT 1000 features: ICP collision protection, UNIQUA HMI, 0.10-0.33 mm wire range, +/-75 mm U/V travel, and automatic wire threading. Machine weight is approximately 9,200 kg (20,282 lb) without dielectric.

New CUT 1000 OilTech machines price between $300,000 and $400,000. The oil-dielectric premium over the standard CUT 1000 is roughly $50,000-$70,000.

Full Specifications

Parameter	Value
X-Axis Travel	1,000 mm (39.4 in)
Y-Axis Travel	550 mm (21.7 in)
Z-Axis Travel	400 mm (15.7 in)
U Axis	+/-75 mm (+/-2.95 in)
V Axis	+/-75 mm (+/-2.95 in)
Max Taper Angle	+/-30 deg at 100 mm height
Max Workpiece Size	1,500 x 1,000 x 400 mm (59.1 x 39.4 x 15.7 in)
Max Workpiece Weight	3,000 kg (6,614 lb)
Wire Diameter Range	0.10 - 0.33 mm (0.004 - 0.013 in)
Surface Finish	Ra 0.05 um (2 uin Ra) achievable in oil
Positioning Accuracy	3 um
Max Cutting Speed	280 mm2/min (43 in2/hr) in oil dielectric
Dielectric	Hydrocarbon-based oil
CNC Control	UNIQUA HMI (touchscreen)
Generator	IPG (Intelligent Power Generator) - oil-optimized
Collision Protection	ICP (Intelligent Collision Protection)
Machine Weight	9,200 kg (20,282 lb) without dielectric
Machine Dimensions	4,300 x 3,200 x 2,500 mm (169.3 x 126.0 x 98.4 in)

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

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

Oil dielectric delivers Ra 0.05 um surface finish, 20-30 percent better than water-dielectric on equivalent passes
Eliminates electrolytic corrosion entirely, critical for reactive materials like titanium and cobalt-chrome
Superior dimensional stability on long unattended cuts since oil properties do not fluctuate like water conductivity
Same 1,000 x 550 x 400 mm travel and 3,000 kg capacity as the standard CUT 1000
Ideal for PCD and carbide tooling where oil dielectric produces significantly better edge quality
All CUT 1000 features included: ICP, UNIQUA, automatic threading, 0.10-0.33 mm wire range

Limitations

Cutting speed is 15-25 percent slower than water-dielectric machining
Oil dielectric requires fire suppression system and proper ventilation, adding installation cost
Dielectric oil is more expensive than deionized water and requires periodic replacement
$50,000-$70,000 premium over the standard water-dielectric CUT 1000
Oil vapors require extraction systems and some shops have environmental restrictions

Best For

PCD and carbide tooling manufacturers where oil produces better edge quality and surface finish Medical device manufacturers cutting titanium and cobalt-chrome alloys where corrosion is unacceptable Shops requiring Ra 0.05 um or better surface finish on large-format parts Facilities running weekend-long unattended cuts where corrosion immunity is important Die and mold shops specializing in ultra-fine surface finish work on hardened steels Manufacturers of precision carbide wear parts, seals, and dies

Frequently Asked Questions

01 What does a GF AgieCharmilles CUT 1000 OilTech cost?

New CUT 1000 OilTech machines price between $300,000 and $400,000. The oil premium over the standard CUT 1000 is roughly $50,000-$70,000.

02 Why use oil dielectric instead of water?

Oil eliminates electrolytic corrosion, produces 20-30 percent better surface finish, and provides superior dimensional stability. The tradeoff is 15-25 percent slower cutting speed and higher operating costs.

03 What fire safety is required?

The machine requires a fire suppression system, proper ventilation, and oil mist extraction. Most shops install CO2 or dry chemical suppression.

04 Is the OilTech slower than the water CUT 1000?

Yes. Expect 15-25 percent slower cutting speeds in oil versus water on the same material.

05 What materials benefit most from oil dielectric?

PCD, tungsten carbide, titanium, cobalt-chrome, and materials prone to electrolytic corrosion. Oil also excels when mirror-quality surface finish is required.