Wire EDM Machines
A CNC wire electrical discharge machining (EDM) tool taper cuts or shapes conductive materials using a thin electrode that follows a precisely programmed path. A gap between the wire and the workpiece ensures no distortion in the path of the wire or the shape of the material. Enclosed in deionized water, the wire rapidly charges to a desired voltage where a spark jumps the gap, melts a small portion of the workpiece, and the deionized water cools and flushes away any particles. This is ideal for delicate or small parts that could be damaged with conventional machining, thick parts requiring high finishes and accuracies, complex shapes, narrow slots, larger parts that must hold accurate tolerances, and hard, exotic and expensive materials.
Machining Centers and EDMs Provide Complete Solutions
Shops collaborate with tool manufacturers to successfully achieve efficient machining of a wide range of materials.
Shops collaborate with tool manufacturers to successfully achieve efficient machining of a wide range of materials.
More than 50% of Clippard’s pneumatic valve and cylinder production is done via wire EDM. When Global Innovative Products (GIP) needed real-world validation of its testing on Plasma, a gamma-phase intermetallic zinc alloy-coated wire with brass core, Clippard successfully used the wire to produce tooling.
The difference between a skilled operator and an inexperienced one is night and day. Machine builders are helping manufacturers remain productive and profitable by deploying technologies that close the skills gap between dedicated operators with extensive knowledge of just one process and today’s jack of all trades.
Optimized, faster cutting speeds. Reliable accuracy. Easy programming of advanced control capabilities. Lower maintenance and reduced operating costs. And all at a reasonable price. Welcome to the newest EDM systems.
The ability to accurately and efficiently machine taper cuts using soft wire has opened up new areas of opportunity for moldmakers in aerospace, medical, electronics and other applications. Here are some ways to overcome the challenges faced when cutting high taper angles.
Knowing the exact location of a spark allows iWire to automatically adapt the wire spool speed accordingly.
GF Machining Solutions LLC (Lincolnshire, IL) has introduced a new electrical discharge machine, the CUT P 550 Pro.
Beaumont Machine gave its FH40 fast-hole EDM a faster response time, plus features that address aerospace needs: a lower recast and virtually no microcracking. They’re focusing on the ability to work real-time with the power supply to control interconnection and closed-loop features, and thereby deliver higher quality in their process.
Machining Industry News
