Among today’s most precise manufacturing tools, Houston, TX, Wire EDM stands out. That’s why wire EDM is central to Precision CNC Machining and advanced manufacturing.
Roberson Machine Company applies advanced wire EDM (Electrical Discharge Machining) systems to achieve burr-free, consistent outcomes across projects from detailed prototypes to mission-critical production parts. Connect with our team at 573-646-3996 or contact us online to explore the advantages Houston, TX, Wire EDM brings to your next project.
Article Synopsis
- A summary of how wire EDM works, why the process doesn’t require physical contact, and where it delivers better results than conventional methods.
- Outline of specifications and capabilities—tolerances, tapers, materials, envelopes—so you can evaluate if wire EDM meets your requirements.
- Simple examples of real-world applications and industries (aerospace, medical, packaging, energy) with notes on who oversees the work.
- Highlighting what Roberson Machine Company brings to the table, such as established processes, modern technology, and predictable timelines.
From medical components to aerospace prototypes, wire EDM offers manufacturing and design flexibility that traditional processes can’t equal. In the sections below, we’ll break down how it works, where it’s used, and what to expect when you work with Roberson Machine Company.
Table of Contents
- What Is Wire EDM Machining?
- Real-World Applications for Wire EDM and Precision Cutting
- FANUC ROBOCUT α-C400iC: New Wire EDM Technology
- Wire EDM Capabilities & Specs
- Who Uses EDM Wire Cutting
- Materials We Work With for Wire EDM
- Why Roberson Machine Company
Learn more about our machining capabilities, success stories and reviews, and other information about Houston, TX, Wire EDM on our blog and FAQs.
What Is Wire EDM Machining? | [city, TX, Precision CNC Services
Within our full range of CNC machining services, wire EDM stands out as a specialized process. Where traditional tools touch the part, wire EDM cuts conductive materials using a fine, electrically energized wire. The process forms controlled sparks along the wire path, eroding material into highly accurate cuts without stressing the part.
This process is perfect for geometries and materials beyond conventional machining: intricate profiles, fine slots, tight internal corners, and hardened or exotic alloys like titanium and carbide. The process produces clean, accurate cuts that are ready for assembly, finishing, or the next stage of production.
Real-World Applications for Houston, TX, Wire EDM and Precision Cutting
Choose wire EDM when conventional tooling can’t hit the geometry, finish, or tolerance you need—especially with hard-to-machine materials, thin-walled features, or parts that can’t take rigid cutting forces. It delivers burr-free, precise cuts on conductive metals such as titanium, carbide, Inconel, and hardened steels.
Teams use wire EDM in Houston, TX, for prototypes, fixtures, and full production runs. Typical applications include:
- Aerospace: Precision turbine slots, seal details, and tooling inserts that maintain tolerances after heat treating.
- Military & Defense: Hardened alloy components and mission-critical assemblies that need distortion-free cuts and crisp internal corners.
- Automotive: Automotive powertrain tooling, inserts, and prototype parts requiring fine interior tolerances.
- Medical: Biocompatible metal implants, surgical devices, and micro features produced clean and burr-free.
- Packaging: Forming dies and wear parts with sharp edges and smooth finishes to reduce post-processing.
- Food & Beverage: Durable stainless components for food-grade washdown, cut cleanly and stress-free.
- Oil & Energy: Pump components, sealing details, and alloy parts machined for corrosive, high-pressure use.
- Automation & Robotics: Precision fixtures, housings, and motion assemblies designed with close internal clearances.
- Firearm Manufacturing: Slides, internal components, and tooling where repeatable accuracy and clean edges matter.
- Consumer & Commercial Products: Precision branding dies, fixtures, and parts for consumer and commercial applications.
- OEM & Custom Applications: One-off prototypes through production-scale jobs in hardened or exotic conductive materials—we can cut it.
Got a project or issue? Contact us online or call 573-646-3996 to talk about your Houston, TX, wire EDM machining requirements.
FANUC ROBOCUT α-C400iC: New Wire EDM Technology
We’ve added the FANUC ROBOCUT α-C400iC to increase precision, speed, and thin-wire cutting capability. It achieves efficient auto-threading, long stable runs, and clean surface finishes—suited for complex shapes and tight interior clearances.
| Specification | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Max Workpiece Size | 730 × 630 × 250 mm (28.74″ × 24.80″ × 9.84″) | Compact footprint with generous load space. |
| Max Workpiece Weight | 500 kg (≈1,100 lbs) | Stable cutting on medium-to-heavy parts. |
| Table Travel (X/Y/Z) | 400 × 300 × 255 mm (15.75″ × 11.81″ × 10.04″) | Precise positioning for complex features. |
| U/V Travel | ±60 mm | Supports advanced taper and offset work. |
| Max Taper | ±30° @ 80 mm (3.15″); option: ±45° @ 40 mm (1.57″) | Handles steep tapers on thicker stock. |
| Wire Diameter | 0.10–0.30 mm (≈0.004″–0.012″); option: 0.05 mm (≈0.002″) | Thin-wire option supports ultra-fine features. |
| Controller | FANUC 31i-WB | Modern control with iHMI interface. |
| Notable Features | AWF3 auto threading, iPulse3 discharge control, AI thermal compensation, Core Stitch | Improves uptime, finish quality, and accuracy on long runs. |
What’s different? The ROBOCUT improves on legacy specs with thin-wire capability to about 0.002″, enhanced taper options (±45° @ 1.57″ with option), and more reliable unattended cutting using AWF3 and iPulse3. Its work envelope and load capacity differ from older units, so we’ll match the machine to your part size and tolerance needs.
Wire EDM Capabilities & Specs
For customers in Houston, TX, our Wire EDM capabilities cover projects from delicate micro features to heavy workpieces, producing clean edges and consistent accuracy on conductive materials. See the breakdown below for more on wire EDMs:
Core Capabilities
| Capability | Spec | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Max Cutting Height | 16.5″ | Tackle tall parts and deep cavities without multiple setups. |
| Tolerance Maintained | ±0.0003″ | Hit critical features for aerospace, medical, and precision tooling. |
| Max Taper Angle | 45° | Produce complex profiles and reliefs in mold and die work. |
| Wire Diameter Range | .002″–.010″ | Cut ultra-fine details or heavier sections as the job requires. |
| Max Workpiece Weight | 1,800 lbs | Run large industrial components with stable fixturing. |
Work Envelope
| Axis | Travel | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| X / Y / Z | 21.7″ × 14.6″ × 12.2″ | Flexible capacity for varied part sizes and setups. |
Taper Capability by Thickness
| Workpiece Thickness | Typical Max Taper | Use Case |
|---|---|---|
| 12″ | ±10° | Thick tooling plates and heavy die sections. |
| 3.25″ | 30° | Mold components with angled relief features. |
| 1.93″ | 45° | Sharp internal corners and complex taper profiles. |
Questions about a part or material? Contact us or call 573-646-3996 for more information about Wire EDM in Houston, TX.
Who Uses EDM Wire Cutting in Houston, TX?
Not limited to machine shops, Wire EDM is a precision service for teams that must have complex parts made correctly from the outset. We deliver Wire EDM solutions for:
- Project Managers & Directors: Avoid major overruns with components that arrive as specified and on time, keeping your schedule intact.
- Prototype Engineers: Speed up validation and refinement of designs ahead of full production runs.
- Quality Assurance Teams: Access precision parts that hold consistent dimensions and meet exacting tolerance specs.
- Compliance & Regulatory Specialists: Access inspection-ready components that adhere to required specifications.
- Maintenance & Reliability Engineers: Use precise replacement parts to quickly recover from wear or damage and keep systems running.
When projects hinge on precision, our Houston, TX, EDM wire cutting expertise ensures deadlines and budgets are met.
Materials We Work With for Wire EDM
Wire EDM applies exclusively to electrically conductive materials, which covers metals and alloys that push past the limits of traditional cutting. It achieves smooth, burr-free results free of thermal or mechanical stress, on everything from hardened steels and thin-walled sections to exotic alloys.
- Aluminum: Corrosion-resistant and lightweight, frequently machined into housings, brackets, prototypes, and precision parts.
- Stainless Steel: Resistant to corrosion and highly durable, ideal for medical, aerospace, and food-grade machining projects.
- Brass & Copper: Known for machinability and conductivity, often used for electrical contacts, connectors, and fluid-handling equipment.
- Titanium: Corrosion-resistant and lightweight, frequently applied in aerospace designs, surgical tools, and precision performance parts.
- Tool Steels & Carbides: Durable and capable of machining hardened steels and carbide, widely used for molds, dies, and industrial wear parts.
Wire EDM in Houston, TX, is one of many CNC machining processes we use to meet your specs. Some jobs call for it exclusively, while others combine it with milling, turning, or other precision methods for the best results that make the most sense depending on the project.
Why Roberson Machine Company for Houston, TX, Wire EDM Cutting?
Roberson Machine Company has spent more than 20 years serving industries that require exacting levels of precision and accuracy. Through advanced CNC machining and wire EDM technology, we bring technical knowledge, reliable turnaround, attentive service, and extensive value-added services to Houston, TX, clients.
We also provide additional machining capabilities:
- CNC Lathe Machining
- Custom CNC Machining for Part Production
- CNC Machine Automation
- Oil and Gas Precision Machining
- Aerospace Manufacturing
- Automotive Part Manufacturing
- EDM Machining
- High Volume CNC Machining
- Industrial Automation
- Solar Panel Manufacturers
The Roberson Machine Company provides advanced machining services and process expertise, making us a go-to for surgical-grade wire EDM. Learn more about our team and history, contact us online for a quote, or call 573-646-3996 if you have any questions about Houston, TX, Wire EDM services and our machining capabilities.