Respected in advanced manufacturing, Durham, NC, Wire EDM offers unmatched precision for complex geometries and delicate materials. Its capability keeps wire EDM at the core of Precision CNC Machining and today’s manufacturing.
Roberson Machine Company applies advanced wire EDM (Electrical Discharge Machining) systems to achieve burr-free, consistent outcomes across projects from detailed prototypes to mission-critical production parts. Give our team a call at 573-646-3996 or contact us online to learn more about how Durham, NC, 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.
- 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.
- Explaining what Roberson Machine Company brings to the table, with proven workflows, advanced equipment, and dependable turnaround times.
From aerospace parts to medical components, wire EDM provides design and production options beyond the reach of conventional processes. The sections below explain how wire EDM works, its applications, and what to expect from 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 Durham, NC, Wire EDM resources available on the blog and FAQs.
What Is Wire EDM Machining? | [city, NC, Precision CNC Services
As part of our complete CNC machining offering, wire EDM is a unique and highly precise method. Rather than relying on direct-contact tooling, wire EDM forms conductive metals with a thin wire carrying electrical charge. Controlled sparks from the wire erode material along a programmed path, leaving highly accurate cuts without 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. Every cut comes off the machine accurately, clean, and ready for whatever comes next in your build.
Real-World Applications for Durham, NC, 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. It delivers burr-free, precise cuts on conductive metals such as titanium, carbide, Inconel, and hardened steels.
Wire EDM in Durham, NC, supports prototypes, tooling fixtures, and full-scale production jobs. Typical applications include:
- Aerospace: Precision turbine slots, seal details, and tooling inserts that maintain tolerances after heat treating.
- Military & Defense: Distortion-free cuts in hardened alloys and defense-grade assemblies with sharp internal geometry.
- Automotive: Automotive powertrain tooling, inserts, and prototype parts requiring fine interior tolerances.
- Medical: Precision implant components, surgical instruments, and micro-scale features cut without burrs.
- Packaging: Forming dies and wear parts with sharp edges and smooth finishes to reduce post-processing.
- Food & Beverage: Washdown-ready stainless parts, corrosion-resistant and machined without added stress.
- Oil & Energy: Sealing surfaces, pump parts, and alloy components built for high-pressure, corrosive conditions.
- Automation & Robotics: Robotics fixtures, housings, and motion components requiring precise internal geometry.
- Firearm Manufacturing: Firearm slides, tooling, and internal pieces requiring accurate, burr-free machining.
- 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.
Working on a project or facing a challenge? Contact us online or reach us at 573-646-3996 to go over your Durham, NC, wire EDM machining needs.
FANUC ROBOCUT α-C400iC: New Wire EDM Technology
Our shop now includes a FANUC ROBOCUT α-C400iC, boosting cutting speed, precision, and thin-wire performance. 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? 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. 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
With Wire EDM solutions available in Durham, NC, we handle parts ranging from micro-scale details to large workpieces, providing burr-free edges and reliable precision 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 Durham, NC.
Who Uses EDM Wire Cutting in Durham, NC?
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 production moving with parts delivered on spec and on schedule, minimizing budget-wasting delays.
- Prototype Engineers: Validate and tweak designs early, reducing risk before entering large-scale production.
- Quality Assurance Teams: Obtain components free of burrs and built to the tightest dimensional requirements.
- 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 precision is non-negotiable, our Durham, NC, EDM wire cutting service makes sure you stay on time and within budget.
Materials We Work With for Wire EDM
Wire EDM works only on electrically conductive materials, making it ideal for metals and alloys that are difficult to cut with traditional tools. It delivers clean, burr-free results without mechanical stress or thermal distortion—whether the job calls for thin-walled parts, hardened steels, or exotic alloys.
- Aluminum: Corrosion-resistant and lightweight, frequently machined into housings, brackets, prototypes, and precision parts.
- Stainless Steel: Widely used in aerospace, medical, and food industries thanks to its strength and corrosion resistance.
- Brass & Copper: Conductive and easy to machine, widely applied in electrical connectors, contacts, and fluid-transfer components.
- Titanium: A blend of strength, low weight, and corrosion resistance makes it essential for aerospace, surgical, and performance uses.
- Tool Steels & Carbides: Ideal for shaping hardened steels and carbides, commonly used in molds, dies, and other high-wear parts.
Among the range of CNC machining processes we offer, Wire EDM in Durham, NC, stands out as a key method for meeting exact specifications. Depending on the application, some projects use Wire EDM exclusively, while others combine it with turning, milling, or different machining strategies.
Why Roberson Machine Company for Durham, NC, Wire EDM Cutting?
For decades, Roberson Machine Company has specialized in delivering precision manufacturing solutions where accuracy is critical. Our advanced CNC shop and dedicated wire EDM equipment let us pair technical expertise with reliable lead times, responsive support, and a wide array of value-added services for Durham, NC, clients.
Additional machining capabilities we provide are:
- 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
- Microscope Parts Precision Machining
The Roberson Machine Company provides advanced machining services and process expertise, making us a go-to for surgical-grade wire EDM. Check out our team and company background, connect with us online, or call 573-646-3996 for answers about Durham, NC, Wire EDM services.