Known for precision, Boston, MA, Wire EDM cuts intricate shapes in hard or delicate materials without physical contact. It can cut complex shapes in hard or delicate materials without physical contact, making wire EDM essential to Precision CNC Machining and production.
At Roberson Machine Company, our wire EDM (Electrical Discharge Machining) technology delivers accurate, burr-free results, from complex prototypes through production-critical assemblies. Reach out at 573-646-3996 or contact us online to see how Boston, MA, Wire EDM can improve speed and quality for your next project.
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.
- Straightforward examples of real-world applications and industries (aerospace, medical, packaging, energy) and who inside those teams typically owns the work.
- What Roberson Machine Company brings to the table. This includes proven processes, modern equipment, and predictable lead times from prototype through production.
Wire EDM expands design and manufacturing potential, from aerospace prototypes to medical-grade components, in ways other processes cannot. The sections ahead break down how the process works, where it’s used, and what working with Roberson Machine Company involves.
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 Boston, MA, Wire EDM on our blog and FAQs.
What Is Wire EDM Machining? | [city, MA, Precision CNC Services
Wire EDM is a specialized process within our broader CNC machining capabilities. In place of mechanical cutting tools, wire EDM uses a fine electrically charged wire to machine conductive materials. By generating controlled sparks, the wire erodes metal on a programmed path, producing precise cuts free of mechanical stress.
It excels where conventional machining falls short: intricate profiles, precise slots, sharp inside corners, and components made from hardened steels, titanium, carbide, and other demanding alloys. Cuts leave the machine accurate, smooth, and immediately ready for further assembly or finishing.
Real-World Applications for Boston, MA, 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. Wire EDM provides burr-free cutting across conductive materials, from titanium and carbide to Inconel, hardened steels, and others.
Wire EDM serves Boston, MA, teams handling prototypes, fixtures, and production-scale projects. Standard applications include:
- Aerospace: Fine turbine slots, seal features, and tooling inserts engineered to hold tolerance post heat treat.
- Military & Defense: Hardened alloy components and mission-critical assemblies that need distortion-free cuts and crisp internal corners.
- Automotive: Powertrain tooling, prototype parts, and mold inserts produced with precision internal clearances.
- Medical: Burr-free machining for surgical tools, implant parts, and micro features in medical-grade alloys.
- Packaging: Sharp-edged forming dies and smooth wear parts designed to limit secondary finishing.
- Food & Beverage: Food-grade stainless components built for washdown service, free from stress or burrs.
- 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, tooling, and inner firearm parts manufactured with clean edges and repeatable tolerances.
- Consumer & Commercial Products: Custom fixtures, precision parts, and branding dies for commercial and consumer products.
- OEM & Custom Applications: From R&D one-offs to production runs in exotic or hardened materials—if it’s conductive, we can cut it.
Working on a project or facing a challenge? Contact us online or reach us at 573-646-3996 to go over your Boston, MA, wire EDM machining needs.
FANUC ROBOCUT α-C400iC: New Wire EDM Technology
We’ve added a new FANUC ROBOCUT α-C400iC to expand cutting speed, precision, and thin-wire capability. 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? Building on legacy models, the ROBOCUT introduces ≈0.002″ thin-wire capacity, expanded tapering (±45° @ 1.57″ with option), and greater unattended stability through AWF3 and iPulse3. The work envelope and load ratings vary from older equipment, so we tailor machine choice to suit your part size and required tolerances.
Wire EDM Capabilities & Specs
With Wire EDM solutions available in Boston, MA, we handle parts ranging from micro-scale details to large workpieces, providing burr-free edges and reliable precision 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 Boston, MA.
Who Uses EDM Wire Cutting in Boston, MA?
Wire EDM has applications far past the machine shop—it’s a precision approach for anyone tasked with delivering complex parts on the first try. Our Wire EDM capabilities are suited for:
- Project Managers & Directors: Stay on schedule by getting parts delivered on time and built to spec, preventing expensive setbacks.
- Prototype Engineers: Confirm and improve prototypes fast, then transition smoothly to production.
- Quality Assurance Teams: Get parts that are burr-free and dimensionally accurate, meeting even the strictest tolerance standards.
- Compliance & Regulatory Specialists: Access inspection-ready components that adhere to required specifications.
- Maintenance & Reliability Engineers: Obtain precision-matched replacements for failed parts, keeping downtime to a minimum.
If accuracy drives your success, our Boston, MA, EDM wire cutting capabilities provide timely, cost-effective results.
Materials We Work With for Wire EDM
Electrically conductive materials are the only candidates for Wire EDM, but that includes many metals and alloys too hard for conventional tools. The process provides precise, burr-free finishes without distortion—whether you’re machining hardened steels, thin walls, or exotic alloys.
- Aluminum: Lightweight, corrosion-resistant, and widely machined for housings, brackets, prototypes, and high-performance parts.
- Stainless Steel: Resistant to corrosion and highly durable, ideal for medical, aerospace, and food-grade machining projects.
- Brass & Copper: Highly machinable and conductive, making them staples for electrical contacts, connectors, terminals, and fluid-handling parts.
- Titanium: Known for its strength-to-weight ratio and corrosion resistance, perfect for aerospace, medical, and high-performance components.
- Tool Steels & Carbides: Engineered for cutting hardened steels and carbide, making them critical in dies, molds, and wear components.
Among the range of CNC machining processes we offer, Wire EDM in Boston, MA, stands out as a key method for meeting exact specifications. There are jobs where Wire EDM is the only option, and others where it works in tandem with milling, turning, or additional precision methods.
Why Roberson Machine Company for Boston, MA, Wire EDM Cutting?
For decades, Roberson Machine Company has specialized in delivering precision manufacturing solutions where accuracy is critical. 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 Boston, MA, customers.
Our shop offers a range of other 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
With advanced machining services and full-process guidance, the Roberson Machine Company is the trusted source for surgical-grade wire EDM. Discover details about our history and team, get a quote online, or call 573-646-3996 with questions regarding Boston, MA, Wire EDM services and machining capabilities.