EDM - Electrical Discharge Machining

What is Wire EDM?

Wire EDM is "Electrical Discharge Machining". This is a process that removes electrically conductive material through an “electrical sparking” action. This is accomplished by rapidly recurring, controlled electrical discharges between the work piece and a moving brass wire. The discharges occur millions of time per second.

This technology can be likened to a vertical band saw. The difference is that, unlike a band saw, wire EDM is cutting with a continuously spooling “blade”. The blade is in the form of a brass wire that can be as thin as .002” in diameter. And, unlike a band saw, there is no pressure exerted on the wire or on the work piece. The wire never touches the work. Sparking occurs across the .0002” - .0003” gap that is always present between the wire and the work piece. So, there is no need to use heavy clamps or straps to hold the part in place. Most times, “crazy” glue is used to hold parts for cutting.

Wire EDM applications can be characterized as producing extremely exacting tolerances that would, otherwise, be very difficult or impossible to manufacture. Since there are no cutting tools to wear out, this technology produces the same high precision parts time after time.