Recognized as a precision method, Knoxville, TN, Wire EDM handles complex shapes in hard or delicate materials without direct contact. That’s why wire EDM is central to Precision CNC Machining and advanced 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. Call us at 573-646-3996 or contact us online to find out how Knoxville, TN, Wire EDM helps achieve precision and efficiency in your next build.
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.
- Review of specifications and capabilities—tolerances, tapers, envelopes, and materials—to confirm wire EDM fits your project’s needs.
- Simple examples of real-world applications and industries (aerospace, medical, packaging, energy) with notes on who oversees the work.
- What Roberson Machine Company brings to the table. This includes proven processes, modern equipment, and predictable lead times from prototype through production.
Whether for aerospace prototypes or medical-grade components, wire EDM enables design and production capabilities unmatched by other methods. The following sections cover how wire EDM operates, its uses, and what you can expect partnering with 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
Find details on our machining services, reviews and success stories, and more about Knoxville, TN, Wire EDM in the blog and FAQs.
What Is Wire EDM Machining? | [city, TN, Precision CNC Services
Wire EDM is one of the specialized services included in our broader CNC machining capabilities. Where traditional tools touch the part, wire EDM cuts conductive materials using a fine, electrically energized wire. Controlled sparks from the wire erode material along a programmed path, leaving highly accurate cuts without 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. Parts come off the machine precise, burr-free, and ready to move straight into the next step of your build.
Real-World Applications for Knoxville, TN, 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 cuts conductive metals cleanly and burr-free, including titanium, carbide, Inconel, hardened steels, and more.
From prototypes and fixtures to complete production runs, teams across Knoxville, TN, rely on wire EDM. Common uses 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: Complex powertrain tooling, mold inserts, and prototype parts with fine internal clearances.
- Medical: Biocompatible metal implants, surgical devices, and micro features produced clean and burr-free.
- Packaging: Sharp-edged forming dies and smooth wear parts designed to limit secondary finishing.
- Food & Beverage: Durable stainless components for food-grade washdown, cut cleanly and stress-free.
- Oil & Energy: Precision-machined sealing surfaces, pump hardware, and alloys that withstand corrosive environments.
- 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: Custom fixtures, precision parts, and branding dies for commercial and consumer products.
- OEM & Custom Applications: Whether it’s an R&D part or production in exotic alloys, if it’s conductive, wire EDM cuts it.
Have a project or a problem? Contact us online or call 573-646-3996 to discuss your Knoxville, TN, 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. 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. Its work envelope and load capacity differ from older units, so we’ll match the machine to your part size and tolerance needs.
Wire EDM Capabilities & Specs
For customers in Knoxville, TN, our Wire EDM capabilities cover projects from delicate micro features to heavy workpieces, producing clean edges and consistent 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. |
Have a question about parts or materials? Contact us or reach us at 573-646-3996 for details on Wire EDM in Knoxville, TN.
Who Uses EDM Wire Cutting in Knoxville, TN?
Wire EDM goes beyond machine shops, serving as a precision method for those who need complex parts produced correctly on the first run. Our services are a fit for:
- Project Managers & Directors: Keep production moving with parts delivered on spec and on schedule, minimizing budget-wasting delays.
- Prototype Engineers: Confirm and improve prototypes fast, then transition smoothly to production.
- Quality Assurance Teams: Rely on consistently accurate, burr-free parts that satisfy rigorous tolerance demands.
- Compliance & Regulatory Specialists: Receive parts manufactured to precise specs and prepared for inspection.
- Maintenance & Reliability Engineers: Get exact replacement components to restore operations quickly and avoid extended outages.
When projects hinge on precision, our Knoxville, TN, EDM wire cutting expertise ensures deadlines and budgets are met.
Materials We Work With for Wire EDM
Only electrically conductive materials can be cut with Wire EDM, but that makes it perfect for metals and alloys where traditional machining falls short. The method produces accurate, burr-free parts without stress or heat distortion—from thin-walled pieces and hardened steels to advanced exotic alloys.
- Aluminum: Light and corrosion-resistant, commonly used in machining housings, brackets, prototypes, and advanced 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: Lightweight yet strong and corrosion-resistant—ideal for aerospace structures, surgical tools, and performance parts where strength-to-weight ratio matters.
- 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 Knoxville, TN, 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 Knoxville, TN, Wire EDM Cutting?
For over two decades, Roberson Machine Company has provided precision machining services to industries that demand absolute accuracy. 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 Knoxville, TN, industries.
Additional machining capabilities we provide are:
- 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
Offering advanced machining services and expert guidance through the entire production process, the Roberson Machine Company is your go-to for surgical-grade wire EDM solutions. See our background and team, reach us online, or call 573-646-3996 to ask about Knoxville, TN, Wire EDM services and machining capabilities.