Among today’s most precise manufacturing tools, San Antonio, TX, Wire EDM stands out. It can cut complex shapes in hard or delicate materials without physical contact, making wire EDM essential to Precision CNC Machining and production.
With advanced wire EDM (Electrical Discharge Machining) equipment, Roberson Machine Company produces repeatable, burr-free results for both intricate prototypes and production-scale parts. To discuss how San Antonio, TX, Wire EDM can drive success for your next project, call our team at 573-646-3996 or contact us online.
Article Synopsis
- An overview of how wire EDM works, why it’s a non-contact cutting method, and situations where it beats conventional machining.
- Key specifications and capabilities including tolerances, taper limits, work envelopes, and materials to assess project fit.
- Clear examples of real-world applications and industries like aerospace, medical, packaging, and energy, plus the roles responsible.
- Explaining what Roberson Machine Company brings to the table, with proven workflows, advanced equipment, and dependable turnaround times.
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 San Antonio, TX, Wire EDM on our blog and FAQs.
What Is Wire EDM Machining? | [city, TX, Precision CNC Services
Wire EDM is one of the specialized services included in our broader CNC machining capabilities. Unlike standard machining tools that make contact, wire EDM uses a fine, electrically charged wire to cut conductive metals. The process forms controlled sparks along the wire path, eroding material into highly accurate cuts without stressing the part.
For parts and features that defy standard machining—such as intricate profiles, thin slots, sharp internal corners, or hardened alloys like carbide and titanium—wire EDM is the answer. Cuts leave the machine accurate, smooth, and immediately ready for further assembly or finishing.
Real-World Applications for San Antonio, TX, Wire EDM and Precision Cutting
Use wire EDM for jobs where standard machining can’t meet geometry, surface, or tolerance specs—like hard alloys, thin-walled parts, or components sensitive to cutting forces. Wire EDM cuts conductive metals cleanly and burr-free, including titanium, carbide, Inconel, hardened steels, and more.
Wire EDM serves San Antonio, TX, teams handling prototypes, fixtures, and production-scale projects. Common applications include:
- Aerospace: Complex turbine slots, sealing features, and precision tooling inserts that stay accurate through heat treat.
- Military & Defense: Distortion-free cuts in hardened alloys and defense-grade assemblies with sharp internal geometry.
- Automotive: Automotive powertrain tooling, inserts, and prototype parts requiring fine interior tolerances.
- Medical: Medical instruments, implants, and fine features in biocompatible metals delivered burr-free.
- Packaging: Cleanly cut forming dies and wear pieces with smooth finishes that reduce downstream finishing.
- Food & Beverage: Corrosion-resistant stainless components for washdown environments, cut without mechanical stress.
- Oil & Energy: Sealing surfaces, pump parts, and alloy components built for high-pressure, corrosive conditions.
- Automation & Robotics: Fixtures, housings, and robotic components machined with fine internal accuracy.
- Firearm Manufacturing: Firearm slides, tooling, and internal pieces requiring accurate, burr-free machining.
- Consumer & Commercial Products: Branding dies, custom fixtures, and low- to mid-volume precision parts.
- OEM & Custom Applications: From R&D one-offs to production runs in exotic or hardened materials—if it’s conductive, we can cut it.
Have a project or a problem? Contact us online or call 573-646-3996 to discuss your San Antonio, TX, wire EDM machining needs.
FANUC ROBOCUT α-C400iC: New Wire EDM Technology
A new FANUC ROBOCUT α-C400iC has been added, bringing greater precision, faster cutting, and improved thin-wire capacity. It provides rapid auto-threading, dependable stability over long runs, and smooth surface finishes—perfect for intricate features and narrow internal spaces.
| 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. Since the work envelope and load capacity aren’t the same as legacy units, we assign the proper machine for your part dimensions and tolerance demands.
Wire EDM Capabilities & Specs
For customers in San Antonio, TX, our Wire EDM capabilities cover projects from delicate micro features to heavy workpieces, producing clean edges and consistent accuracy on conductive materials. Here’s a general breakdown of 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. |
Want to know more about a part or material? Contact us or call 573-646-3996 for information on Wire EDM in San Antonio, TX.
Who Uses EDM Wire Cutting in San Antonio, TX?
Not limited to machine shops, Wire EDM is a precision service for teams that must have complex parts made correctly from the outset. Our services are a fit for:
- Project Managers & Directors: Stay on schedule by getting parts delivered on time and built to spec, preventing expensive setbacks.
- Prototype Engineers: Refine and prove out designs quickly to prepare for mass production.
- Quality Assurance Teams: Rely on consistently accurate, burr-free parts that satisfy rigorous tolerance demands.
- Compliance & Regulatory Specialists: Receive parts manufactured to precise specs and prepared for inspection.
- Maintenance & Reliability Engineers: Swap out damaged or worn parts with accurate replicas to reduce equipment downtime.
When precision is critical, our San Antonio, TX, EDM wire cutting services keep your projects on schedule and within budget.
Materials We Work With for Wire EDM
Wire EDM cuts only electrically conductive materials, which makes it a go-to choice for tough metals and alloys that resist traditional machining. It produces burr-free, accurate results with no added stress or heat damage, even on thin-walled parts, hardened steels, or exotic alloys.
- Aluminum: Corrosion-resistant and lightweight, frequently machined into housings, brackets, prototypes, and precision parts.
- Stainless Steel: Durable and corrosion-resistant, commonly used in medical devices, aerospace assemblies, and food-grade components.
- Brass & Copper: Conductive and easy to machine, widely applied in electrical connectors, contacts, and fluid-transfer components.
- Titanium: Known for its strength-to-weight ratio and corrosion resistance, perfect for aerospace, medical, and high-performance components.
- Tool Steels & Carbides: Able to handle hardened steels and tungsten carbide, standard for dies, molds, and long-lasting wear tools.
Wire EDM in San Antonio, TX, is one of many CNC machining processes we use to meet your specs. Some parts are best produced solely with Wire EDM, while others require it alongside milling, turning, or complementary precision processes.
Why Roberson Machine Company for San Antonio, TX, Wire EDM Cutting?
For over two decades, Roberson Machine Company has provided precision machining services to industries that demand absolute accuracy. Through advanced CNC machining and wire EDM technology, we bring technical knowledge, reliable turnaround, attentive service, and extensive value-added services to San Antonio, TX, clients.
Our full set of machining capabilities also covers:
- 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
Offering advanced machining services and expert guidance through the entire production process, the Roberson Machine Company is your go-to for surgical-grade wire EDM solutions. Check out our team and company background, connect with us online, or call 573-646-3996 for answers about San Antonio, TX, Wire EDM services.