Recognized as a precision method, Detroit, MI, Wire EDM handles complex shapes in hard or delicate materials without direct contact. This ability makes wire EDM a cornerstone of Precision CNC Machining and modern production.
At Roberson Machine Company, we use advanced wire EDM (Electrical Discharge Machining) technology to deliver burr-free, repeatable results for everything from intricate prototypes to production-critical components. Give our team a call at 573-646-3996 or contact us online to learn more about how Detroit, MI, Wire EDM can accelerate and enhance your next project’s success.
Article Synopsis
- A quick look at how wire EDM works, why it cuts without contact, and when it outperforms conventional machining.
- Specifications and capabilities (tolerances, taper angles, work envelopes, materials, etc.) to see if wire EDM cutting matches your project’s strict requirements.
- Straightforward examples of real-world applications and industries (aerospace, medical, packaging, energy) and who inside those teams typically owns the work.
- Details on what Roberson Machine Company brings to the table—proven processes, up-to-date machines, and reliable scheduling from prototype to production.
From medical components to aerospace prototypes, wire EDM offers manufacturing and design flexibility that traditional processes can’t equal. 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
Learn more about our machining capabilities, success stories and reviews, and other information about Detroit, MI, Wire EDM on our blog and FAQs.
What Is Wire EDM Machining? | [city, MI, Precision CNC Services
Among our many CNC machining services, wire EDM provides specialized precision. 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’s particularly suited for work conventional tools can’t handle: detailed profiles, slim slots, sharp internal corners, and parts in hardened steels, titanium, carbide, or similar alloys. The process produces clean, accurate cuts that are ready for assembly, finishing, or the next stage of production.
Real-World Applications for Detroit, MI, Wire EDM and Precision Cutting
Wire EDM is the process of choice when conventional tools fall short on geometry, finish, or tolerance—particularly with difficult materials, thin walls, or parts unsuited for rigid cutting. It handles conductive metals with burr-free precision, including titanium, carbide, Inconel, hardened steels, and more.
Wire EDM serves Detroit, MI, teams handling prototypes, fixtures, and production-scale projects. Standard applications include:
- Aerospace: Intricate turbine slots, seal features, and precision tooling inserts that hold tight tolerances after 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: Medical instruments, implants, and fine features in biocompatible metals delivered burr-free.
- Packaging: Precision forming dies and durable wear components cut with clean edges and smooth finishes.
- Food & Beverage: Durable stainless components for food-grade washdown, cut cleanly and stress-free.
- Oil & Energy: Precision sealing surfaces, pump components, and alloy parts for high-pressure, corrosive service.
- Automation & Robotics: Robotics fixtures, housings, and motion components requiring precise internal geometry.
- Firearm Manufacturing: Consistently accurate firearm slides, internals, and tooling with sharp, burr-free edges.
- Consumer & Commercial Products: Branding dies, custom fixtures, and low- to mid-volume precision parts.
- OEM & Custom Applications: Single R&D parts to large production jobs in conductive alloys, even exotic or hardened.
Have a project or a problem? Contact us online or call 573-646-3996 to discuss your Detroit, MI, 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. With quick auto-threading, steady long-duration operation, and excellent surface finish, it excels at producing intricate features and precise internal gaps.
| 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. 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
In Detroit, MI, our Wire EDM work spans everything from micro components to heavy pieces, delivering sharp finishes and repeatable accuracy 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 Detroit, MI.
Who Uses EDM Wire Cutting in Detroit, MI?
Wire EDM isn’t just for machine shops—it’s a precision solution for anyone responsible for getting complex parts made right the first time. These services are the right match for:
- Project Managers & Directors: Ensure timelines hold by receiving parts that meet specifications and arrive when needed, cutting out delays.
- Prototype Engineers: Quickly validate and refine designs before moving into large-scale production.
- Quality Assurance Teams: Access precision parts that hold consistent dimensions and meet exacting tolerance specs.
- Compliance & Regulatory Specialists: Access inspection-ready components that adhere to required specifications.
- Maintenance & Reliability Engineers: Use precise replacement parts to quickly recover from wear or damage and keep systems running.
When precision is critical, our Detroit, MI, EDM wire cutting services keep your projects on schedule and within 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: Known for being light and corrosion-resistant, often chosen for housings, brackets, prototypes, and other performance-focused parts.
- Stainless Steel: Resistant to corrosion and highly durable, ideal for medical, aerospace, and food-grade machining projects.
- Brass & Copper: Valued for conductivity and machinability, common in contacts, connectors, and fluid-handling systems.
- Titanium: Corrosion-resistant and lightweight, frequently applied in aerospace designs, surgical tools, and precision performance parts.
- Tool Steels & Carbides: Ideal for shaping hardened steels and carbides, commonly used in molds, dies, and other high-wear parts.
Within our lineup of CNC machining processes, Wire EDM in Detroit, MI, 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 Detroit, MI, Wire EDM Cutting?
Roberson Machine Company has spent more than 20 years serving industries that require exacting levels of precision and accuracy. 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 Detroit, MI, 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
Backed by advanced machining and expert support from start to finish, the Roberson Machine Company delivers surgical-grade wire EDM solutions. Learn more about our team and history, contact us online for a quote, or call 573-646-3996 if you have any questions about Detroit, MI, Wire EDM services and our machining capabilities.