Known for precision, Bakersfield, CA, Wire EDM cuts intricate shapes in hard or delicate materials without physical contact. Its capability keeps wire EDM at the core of Precision CNC Machining and today’s manufacturing.
With advanced wire EDM (Electrical Discharge Machining) equipment, Roberson Machine Company produces repeatable, burr-free results for both intricate prototypes and production-scale parts. Give our team a call at 573-646-3996 or contact us online to learn more about how Bakersfield, CA, Wire EDM can accelerate and enhance your next project’s success.
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.
- Illustrative real-world applications and industries such as aerospace, medical, packaging, and energy, and the roles that lead the projects.
- What Roberson Machine Company brings to the table. This includes proven processes, modern equipment, and predictable lead times from prototype through production.
From aerospace parts to medical components, wire EDM provides design and production options beyond the reach of conventional processes. We’ll detail in the next sections how wire EDM works, where it applies, and what to expect when you choose 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
Discover our machining capabilities, success stories, and additional Bakersfield, CA, Wire EDM resources available on the blog and FAQs.
What Is Wire EDM Machining? | [city, CA, Precision CNC Services
We include wire EDM as a specialized option within our wider CNC machining capabilities. 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. Every cut comes off the machine accurately, clean, and ready for whatever comes next in your build.
Real-World Applications for Bakersfield, CA, Wire EDM and Precision Cutting
Wire EDM is ideal when conventional cutting can’t achieve the needed accuracy, finish, or tolerance, including on hard-to-machine metals, thin walls, or delicate parts. This process machines conductive materials cleanly, producing burr-free parts in titanium, carbide, Inconel, hardened steels, and beyond.
From prototypes and fixtures to complete production runs, teams across Bakersfield, CA, rely on wire EDM. Common applications include:
- Aerospace: Turbine slots, seals, and tooling inserts cut to tight tolerance even after heat treatment.
- Military & Defense: Mission-critical assemblies and hardened alloys cut cleanly with sharp internal features.
- Automotive: Complex powertrain tooling, mold inserts, and prototype parts with fine internal clearances.
- Medical: Surgical tools, implant parts, and micro features machined burr-free in biocompatible alloys.
- Packaging: Wear parts and forming dies with crisp edges and fine finishes to minimize rework.
- Food & Beverage: Washdown-ready stainless parts, corrosion-resistant and machined without added stress.
- Oil & Energy: Precision-machined sealing surfaces, pump hardware, and alloys that withstand corrosive environments.
- Automation & Robotics: Motion-critical housings, fixtures, and components for automation systems with tight interior details.
- Firearm Manufacturing: Slides, internal components, and tooling where repeatable accuracy and clean edges matter.
- Consumer & Commercial Products: Fixtures, branding dies, and precision parts produced for consumer and commercial needs.
- OEM & Custom Applications: R&D prototypes to production in exotic or hardened materials—if it conducts, wire EDM handles it.
Need help with a project or part? Contact us online or call 573-646-3996 to review your Bakersfield, CA, wire EDM machining needs.
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. 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 outperforms earlier specs by offering ≈0.002″ thin-wire capability, taper flexibility (±45° @ 1.57″ with option), and improved unattended consistency with AWF3 and iPulse3. Because its work envelope and load capacity vary from older models, we select the right machine based on your part size and tolerance requirements.
Wire EDM Capabilities & Specs
Across Bakersfield, CA, our Wire EDM services are suited for jobs from intricate features to heavy-duty workpieces, producing accurate, burr-free results on conductive materials. The section below gives 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 Bakersfield, CA.
Who Uses EDM Wire Cutting in Bakersfield, CA?
Wire EDM does more than serve machine shops—it’s the precision process for anyone who can’t afford mistakes when making complex parts. We deliver Wire EDM solutions for:
- Project Managers & Directors: Maintain project flow with components that ship on time and match design requirements, reducing costly holdups.
- Prototype Engineers: Speed up validation and refinement of designs ahead of full production runs.
- Quality Assurance Teams: Get parts that are burr-free and dimensionally accurate, meeting even the strictest tolerance standards.
- Compliance & Regulatory Specialists: Count on components produced to exact standards and ready for audits.
- Maintenance & Reliability Engineers: Obtain precision-matched replacements for failed parts, keeping downtime to a minimum.
For work that demands accuracy, our Bakersfield, CA, EDM wire cutting solutions deliver results on time and on 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: Lightweight, corrosion-resistant, and widely machined for housings, brackets, prototypes, and high-performance parts.
- Stainless Steel: Tough and resistant to corrosion, making it essential for medical devices, aerospace applications, and food-grade parts.
- Brass & Copper: Valued for conductivity and machinability, common in contacts, connectors, and fluid-handling systems.
- Titanium: Light but exceptionally strong, titanium is chosen for aerospace, surgical, and performance applications.
- Tool Steels & Carbides: Engineered for cutting hardened steels and carbide, making them critical in dies, molds, and wear components.
We use several CNC machining processes to hit your specs, and Wire EDM in Bakersfield, CA, is often central to that approach. 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 Bakersfield, CA, 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 Bakersfield, CA, customers.
We also provide additional machining capabilities:
- Oil and Gas Precision Machining
- Aerospace Manufacturing
- Automotive Part Manufacturing
- EDM Machining
- High Volume CNC Machining
- Industrial Automation
- Solar Panel Manufacturers
- Microscope Parts Precision Machining
- Military Manufacturing
- Medical Brace Manufacturing
The Roberson Machine Company provides advanced machining services and process expertise, making us a go-to for surgical-grade wire EDM. For more information on Bakersfield, CA, Wire EDM services, explore our team and history, request a quote online, or call 573-646-3996.