In modern manufacturing, Kansas City, MO, Wire EDM is a leading process for accuracy and complexity. This ability makes wire EDM a cornerstone of Precision CNC Machining and modern production.
With advanced wire EDM (Electrical Discharge Machining) equipment, Roberson Machine Company produces repeatable, burr-free results for both intricate prototypes and production-scale parts. Connect with our team at 573-646-3996 or contact us online to explore the advantages Kansas City, MO, Wire EDM brings to your next project.
Article Synopsis
- A quick look at how wire EDM works, why it cuts without contact, and when it outperforms conventional machining.
- Outline of specifications and capabilities—tolerances, tapers, materials, envelopes—so you can evaluate if wire EDM meets your requirements.
- Examples of real-world applications and industries—aerospace, medical, packaging, energy—and the team members who manage these projects.
- What Roberson Machine Company brings to the table. This includes proven processes, modern equipment, and predictable lead times from prototype through production.
Wire EDM makes new design and manufacturing options possible—covering everything from aerospace prototypes to medical components—where other processes fall short. 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
Explore our machining capabilities along with customer reviews and success stories, plus insights into Kansas City, MO, Wire EDM on the blog and FAQs.
What Is Wire EDM Machining? | [city, MO, 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.
This makes it ideal for features that are difficult—or impossible—to produce with conventional machining: intricate profiles, fine slots, sharp internal corners, and parts made from hardened steels, carbide, titanium, or other challenging alloys. Parts come off the machine precise, burr-free, and ready to move straight into the next step of your build.
Real-World Applications for Kansas City, MO, Wire EDM and Precision Cutting
When geometry, finish, or tolerance demands are beyond conventional tooling—especially with tough materials, thin walls, or fragile parts—wire EDM is the solution. Conductive metals like titanium, carbide, Inconel, and hardened steels are cut cleanly and burr-free with wire EDM.
From prototypes and fixtures to complete production runs, teams across Kansas City, MO, rely on wire EDM. Frequent 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: Automotive powertrain tooling, inserts, and prototype parts requiring fine interior tolerances.
- Medical: Burr-free machining for surgical tools, implant parts, and micro features in medical-grade alloys.
- Packaging: Wear parts and forming dies with crisp edges and fine finishes to minimize rework.
- 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: Automation parts such as fixtures, housings, and moving elements cut with tight tolerances.
- Firearm Manufacturing: Internal parts, slides, and firearm tooling cut to deliver repeatable precision and crisp edges.
- Consumer & Commercial Products: Precision branding dies, fixtures, and parts for consumer and commercial applications.
- 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 Kansas City, MO, wire EDM machining needs.
FANUC ROBOCUT α-C400iC: New Wire EDM Technology
A new FANUC ROBOCUT α-C400iC has been added, bringing greater precision, faster cutting, and improved thin-wire capacity. 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 improves on legacy specs with thin-wire capability to about 0.002″, enhanced taper options (±45° @ 1.57″ with option), and more reliable unattended cutting using 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
Our Kansas City, MO, Wire EDM services handle everything from micro features to large, heavy workpieces, delivering clean edges and repeatable accuracy on conductive materials. Below is 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. |
Got questions about parts or materials? Contact us or call 573-646-3996 today for information on Wire EDM in Kansas City, MO.
Who Uses EDM Wire Cutting in Kansas City, MO?
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: Stay on schedule by getting parts delivered on time and built to spec, preventing expensive setbacks.
- Prototype Engineers: Quickly validate and refine designs before moving into large-scale production.
- Quality Assurance Teams: Count on burr-free, uniform components that align with tough dimensional requirements.
- Compliance & Regulatory Specialists: Get inspection-ready parts built to exact specifications.
- Maintenance & Reliability Engineers: Use precise replacement parts to quickly recover from wear or damage and keep systems running.
If your job depends on precision, our Kansas City, MO, EDM wire cutting capabilities help you get there on time and within budget.
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: Corrosion-resistant and lightweight, frequently machined into housings, brackets, prototypes, and precision 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: 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.
Wire EDM in Kansas City, MO, is one of many CNC machining processes we use to meet your specs. 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 Kansas City, MO, Wire EDM Cutting?
Backed by 20 years in business, Roberson Machine Company continues to serve industries that cannot compromise on precision. With state-of-the-art CNC capabilities and dedicated wire EDM machinery, we provide expertise, dependable scheduling, responsive communication, and complete value-added services to Kansas City, MO, industries.
Additional machining capabilities we provide are:
- 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. Discover details about our history and team, get a quote online, or call 573-646-3996 with questions regarding Kansas City, MO, Wire EDM services and machining capabilities.