Recognized as a precision method, Minneapolis, MN, Wire EDM handles complex shapes in hard or delicate materials without direct contact. That’s why wire EDM is central to Precision CNC Machining and advanced manufacturing.
Using advanced wire EDM (Electrical Discharge Machining) processes, Roberson Machine Company provides burr-free, reliable results for everything from prototypes to high-volume production runs. Interested in learning how Minneapolis, MN, Wire EDM can support your next project? Call 573-646-3996 or contact us online.
Article Synopsis
- A quick look at how wire EDM works, why it cuts without contact, and when it outperforms conventional machining.
- Key specifications and capabilities including tolerances, taper limits, work envelopes, and materials to assess project fit.
- Examples of real-world applications and industries—aerospace, medical, packaging, energy—and the team members who manage these projects.
- Highlighting what Roberson Machine Company brings to the table, such as established processes, modern technology, and predictable timelines.
From aerospace parts to medical components, wire EDM provides design and production options beyond the reach of conventional processes. 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
Explore our machining capabilities along with customer reviews and success stories, plus insights into Minneapolis, MN, Wire EDM on the blog and FAQs.
What Is Wire EDM Machining? | [city, MN, Precision CNC Services
Wire EDM is one of the specialized services included in our broader CNC machining capabilities. Instead of using a cutting tool that physically contacts the workpiece, wire EDM shapes conductive metals with a thin, electrically charged wire. By generating controlled sparks, the wire erodes metal on a programmed path, producing precise cuts free of mechanical stress.
That’s why it’s the go-to method for features conventional machining can’t achieve: intricate profiles, narrow slots, sharp internal corners, and components built from hardened steels, titanium, carbide, or other tough alloys. Parts come off the machine precise, burr-free, and ready to move straight into the next step of your build.
Real-World Applications for Minneapolis, MN, 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.
Teams use wire EDM in Minneapolis, MN, for prototypes, fixtures, and full production runs. Common applications include:
- Aerospace: Fine turbine slots, seal features, and tooling inserts engineered to hold tolerance post heat treat.
- Military & Defense: Critical defense assemblies and hardened alloys machined burr-free with tight internal edges.
- Automotive: Prototypes, powertrain tooling, and mold inserts made with precision internal details.
- Medical: Medical instruments, implants, and fine features in biocompatible metals delivered burr-free.
- Packaging: Sharp-edged forming dies and smooth wear parts designed to limit secondary finishing.
- Food & Beverage: Washdown-ready stainless parts, corrosion-resistant and machined without added stress.
- Oil & Energy: Alloy components, pump parts, and sealing features designed for service in high-pressure, corrosive systems.
- Automation & Robotics: Robotics fixtures, housings, and motion components requiring precise internal geometry.
- Firearm Manufacturing: Internal parts, slides, and firearm tooling cut to deliver repeatable precision and crisp edges.
- Consumer & Commercial Products: Branding dies, custom fixtures, and low- to mid-volume precision parts.
- OEM & Custom Applications: Prototype one-offs through full production runs in hardened or exotic alloys—if conductive, we cut it.
Got a project or issue? Contact us online or call 573-646-3996 to talk about your Minneapolis, MN, wire EDM machining requirements.
FANUC ROBOCUT α-C400iC: New Wire EDM Technology
Our equipment lineup now includes the FANUC ROBOCUT α-C400iC, delivering higher cutting speeds, accuracy, and thin-wire machining. The system offers quick auto-threading, reliable long runs, and fine surface finishes, making it ideal for complex geometries and tight 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. With different work envelope and load specs than previous units, we align the machine with your part size and tolerance goals.
Wire EDM Capabilities & Specs
Serving Minneapolis, MN, our Wire EDM offering accommodates both tiny features and oversized workpieces, ensuring crisp edges and dependable accuracy on conductive materials. You’ll find a general breakdown of wire EDMs below:
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. |
Got questions about parts or materials? Contact us or call 573-646-3996 today for information on Wire EDM in Minneapolis, MN.
Who Uses EDM Wire Cutting in Minneapolis, MN?
Wire EDM goes beyond machine shops, serving as a precision method for those who need complex parts produced correctly on the first run. These services are the right match for:
- Project Managers & Directors: Keep schedules on track with parts that arrive on time and to spec, avoiding costly delays.
- Prototype Engineers: Confirm and improve prototypes fast, then transition smoothly to production.
- Quality Assurance Teams: Count on burr-free, uniform components that align with tough dimensional requirements.
- Compliance & Regulatory Specialists: Obtain parts that meet strict specifications and pass inspection with confidence.
- Maintenance & Reliability Engineers: Maintain uptime with accurate, like-for-like replacements for worn or broken components.
For work that demands accuracy, our Minneapolis, MN, EDM wire cutting solutions deliver results on time and on budget.
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: Light and corrosion-resistant, commonly used in machining housings, brackets, prototypes, and advanced performance parts.
- Stainless Steel: Resistant to corrosion and highly durable, ideal for medical, aerospace, and food-grade machining projects.
- 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: Known for toughness in cutting hardened steels and carbides, relied on for dies, molds, and precision wear components.
Within our lineup of CNC machining processes, Wire EDM in Minneapolis, MN, plays a critical role in achieving accurate results. Certain projects depend on Wire EDM alone, while others benefit from pairing it with milling, turning, or other precision machining techniques.
Why Roberson Machine Company for Minneapolis, MN, Wire EDM Cutting?
With 20+ years of experience, Roberson Machine Company has supported industries where precision and reliability are non-negotiable. From our modern CNC shop to our dedicated wire EDM equipment, we combine technical expertise with dependable lead times, responsive service, and a full range of value-added services to Minneapolis, MN, customers.
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
Through advanced machining and expert guidance across production, the Roberson Machine Company stands out as a leader in 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 Minneapolis, MN, Wire EDM services and our machining capabilities.