Electrical Discharge Machines (EDM) are commonly available for precision machining purposes

Electrical discharge machines (EDM) remove metal from a workpiece by using a series of electric sparks to erode material. An electrical discharge machine is considered to be the most precision oriented manufacturing process and is widely used for creating simple and complex shapes and geometries. EDM machining is favored in situations where high accuracy of work and low count is required. An EDM machine consists of a workpiece and the wire electrode. A workpiece is sometimes dipped in a dielectric to develop a potential difference between the workpiece and wire electrode. Electrical discharge machine supply is applied to the workpiece. Electrical discharge machines (EDM) work by eroding the material that appears in the electrical discharge path. This material is responsible for generating an arc between the workpiece and wire electrode. The wire electrode rotates acts as wire EDM tooling and rotates a two-three axis and cuts the internal cavities in the workpiece. There are many types of electrical discharge machines (EDM). Examples include a CNC EDM and a wire EDM machine. A CNC EDM is a computer numerical control machine and is used for removing metal using electrical discharge spark erosion.  A wire EDM machine is designed for precision machining purposes and is used for cutting prismatic metal components. Other electrical discharge machines (EDM) are commonly available.

There are several ways in which electrical discharge machines (EDM) function. Electrical discharge machines (EDM) are used where fast turn around time is required. Electrical discharge machines (EDM) works by removing the workpiece that generates an arc with the wire electrode and creating a cavity in the workpiece. The dimensional accuracy required for an electrical discharge machine is + / - 0.0005 inches per inch. Electrical discharge machines (EDM) also require a 0.0003 feature profile accuracy across the workpiece cutting path. Electrical discharge machines (EDM) are designed and manufactured to meet most industry specifications.

There are two primary EDM methods: ram EDM and wire EDM In ram EDM application, a graphite electrode is machined with traditional tools. The now specially-shaped electrode is connected to the power source, attached to a ram, and slowly fed into the workpiece. The entire machining operation is usually performed while submerged in a fluid bath.

In wire EDM a very thin wire serves as the electrode. Special brass wires are typically used; the wire is slowly fed through the material and the electrical discharges actually cut the workpiece. Wire EDM is usually performed in a bath of water. If you were to observe the wire EDM process under a microscope, you would discover that the wire itself does not actually touch the metal to be cut; the electrical discharges actually remove small amounts of material and allow the wire to be moved through the workpiece. The path of the wire is typically controlled by a computer, which allows extremely complex shapes to be produced.

Click to learn more about Mold Makers in Asia