The topic of electrical discharge machines (EDMs) comes up in frequent discussions at Roberson Machine Company between our machinists and our customers, despite it being a different technology than our CNC services for removing material from a workpiece. Rather than remove material using cutting tools, EDMs remove material using electrical flow between two contacts and a liquid that aids in removing shavings.
If you need to make complex geometries with tight tolerances in your parts and projects, then you’ll find our wire EDM services can do this more efficiently than other methods. Call us today at 573-646-3996 or contact us online. Our wire EDM specialists are happy to discuss the ideas for your new parts for your company’s next project.
What is the Process of EDM?
The EDM process used generates sparks between the two contacts that energize the material being processed and removes a small amount of material with each spark. Sparking rapidly creates a thermoelectric flow that pulls molecules away from the workpiece. Dielectric fluid is used to enhance the sparking and remove material.
Roberson Machine Company uses wire EDM, considered the most accurate of EDM types. It uses a small wire, with diameters measuring between 0.05 and 3.0 millimeters depending on the machine and the specifics of your project, drawn across two pulleys close to the workpiece to make varying “cuts.” Depending on your parts or project, wire EDM can make a variety of “cuts” in many different materials like steel, carbon, ceramics, and other heat-treated metals. Some of the shapes and paths that can be achieved on our machines are:
- Circular
- Conical
- Spherical
- Polygonal
- Orbital
- Helical
- Vertical
- Indexing
- L-spin
What Are the Main Advantages of Wire EDM?
A few advantages to wire EDM make it attractive to our customers in various industries. These include:
- The speed of production is faster than any other machining method
- Wire EDM can be used to produce parts made of any material, even soft metals like aluminum and magnesium
- Because there is no cutting involved, only removal, wire EDM produces no debris
Our CNC machines are all about cutting and removing shavings using tools that splice and slice small pieces of material away to achieve the desired results. Our wire EDM machines don’t actually touch the surface of the workpiece. The electrical discharge touches the part to remove unwanted material so the entire process is quicker. Material is removed until the desired specification is achieved without any follow-up grinding or smoothing of the workpiece. Call our specialists to discuss the differences and advantages of our wire EDM and CNC services for your project today at 573-646-3996 or contact us.
Why Should My Company Choose Wire EDM For Our Parts and Projects?
A wire EDM machine often works faster with less downtime and less input from machinists, saving your company money. Everything from heavy metals to delicate and thin workpieces can be machined with high accuracy and productivity. Our wire EDM process leaves no burrs or other unwanted material or debris after machining, so there are no follow-up or tack-on production costs.
With fewer moving parts than our CNC machines, combined with the ability to produce more types of “cuts” than most CNC processes, our wire EDM services provide an optimal option for your company’s current and future plans. Give Roberson Machine Company a call today at 573-646-3996 or contact us online.
All About Wire EDM For Your Parts and Projects | Roberson Machine Company
Utilizing our industry-leading wire EDM and CNC services, Roberson Machine Company produces parts to meet your specifications. We are truly your one-stop shop, a single-source manufacturer that has the capacity to handle a variety of your production needs – from prototyping to short, medium, or long production runs.
For help with your next wire EDM project, call us today at 573-646-3996 or contact us online.
