Among today’s most precise manufacturing tools, Pittsburgh, PA, Wire EDM stands out. Because it achieves contact-free precision, wire EDM remains vital to Precision CNC Machining and manufacturing.
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 Pittsburgh, PA, 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.
- Clear examples of real-world applications and industries like aerospace, medical, packaging, and energy, plus the roles responsible.
- Highlighting what Roberson Machine Company brings to the table, such as established processes, modern technology, and predictable timelines.
From medical components to aerospace prototypes, wire EDM offers manufacturing and design flexibility that traditional processes can’t equal. In the sections below, we’ll break down how it works, where it’s used, and what to expect when you work 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
Explore our machining capabilities along with customer reviews and success stories, plus insights into Pittsburgh, PA, Wire EDM on the blog and FAQs.
What Is Wire EDM Machining? | [city, PA, Precision CNC Services
Within our full range of CNC machining services, wire EDM stands out as a specialized process. Where traditional tools touch the part, wire EDM cuts conductive materials using a fine, electrically energized wire. The wire produces controlled sparks that erode material along a programmed path, creating extremely accurate cuts with no mechanical stress on the part or component.
For parts and features that defy standard machining—such as intricate profiles, thin slots, sharp internal corners, or hardened alloys like carbide and titanium—wire EDM is the answer. The process produces clean, accurate cuts that are ready for assembly, finishing, or the next stage of production.
Real-World Applications for Pittsburgh, PA, 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. Wire EDM cuts conductive metals cleanly and burr-free, including titanium, carbide, Inconel, hardened steels, and more.
Wire EDM serves Pittsburgh, PA, teams handling prototypes, fixtures, and production-scale projects. Frequent applications include:
- Aerospace: Complex turbine slots, sealing features, and precision tooling inserts that stay accurate through heat treat.
- 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: Biocompatible metal implants, surgical devices, and micro features produced clean and burr-free.
- Packaging: Forming dies and wear components machined with sharp profiles and smooth surfaces for less post-processing.
- Food & Beverage: Corrosion-resistant stainless parts for hygienic washdown applications, machined without distortion.
- Oil & Energy: Precision sealing surfaces, pump components, and alloy parts for high-pressure, corrosive service.
- Automation & Robotics: Fixtures, housings, and motion-critical parts with tight internal features.
- Firearm Manufacturing: Slides, tooling, and inner firearm parts manufactured with clean edges and repeatable tolerances.
- Consumer & Commercial Products: Consumer and commercial parts including branding dies, fixtures, and precision runs.
- OEM & Custom Applications: From R&D one-offs to production runs in exotic or hardened materials—if it’s conductive, we can cut it.
Have a project coming up or a machining problem? Contact us online or give us a call at 573-646-3996 to talk through your Pittsburgh, PA, 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. 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? Unlike older specs, the ROBOCUT supports thin-wire use down to ≈0.002″, offers taper options up to ±45° @ 1.57″ (with option), and runs faster, steadier unattended cycles with AWF3 and iPulse3. Since the work envelope and load capacity aren’t the same as legacy units, we assign the proper machine for your part dimensions and tolerance demands.
Wire EDM Capabilities & Specs
Serving Pittsburgh, PA, our Wire EDM offering accommodates both tiny features and oversized workpieces, ensuring crisp edges and dependable accuracy 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. |
Looking for more info on a part or material? Contact us or give us a call at 573-646-3996 to discuss Wire EDM in Pittsburgh, PA.
Who Uses EDM Wire Cutting in Pittsburgh, PA?
Wire EDM goes beyond machine shops, serving as a precision method for those who need complex parts produced correctly on the first run. 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: Test and adjust designs rapidly before scaling into full production.
- Quality Assurance Teams: Obtain components free of burrs and built to the tightest dimensional requirements.
- Compliance & Regulatory Specialists: Count on components produced to exact standards and ready for audits.
- Maintenance & Reliability Engineers: Get exact replacement components to restore operations quickly and avoid extended outages.
For work that demands accuracy, our Pittsburgh, PA, EDM wire cutting solutions deliver results on time and on budget.
Materials We Work With for Wire EDM
Wire EDM cuts only electrically conductive materials, which makes it a go-to choice for tough metals and alloys that resist traditional machining. It produces burr-free, accurate results with no added stress or heat damage, even on thin-walled parts, hardened steels, or exotic alloys.
- Aluminum: Lightweight, corrosion-resistant, and widely machined for housings, brackets, prototypes, and high-performance parts.
- Stainless Steel: Widely used in aerospace, medical, and food industries thanks to its strength and corrosion resistance.
- Brass & Copper: Excellent machinability and conductivity make them go-to choices for electrical terminals, connectors, and fluid-related parts.
- Titanium: Known for its strength-to-weight ratio and corrosion resistance, perfect for aerospace, medical, and high-performance components.
- Tool Steels & Carbides: Able to handle hardened steels and tungsten carbide, standard for dies, molds, and long-lasting wear tools.
We meet exact specs with a mix of CNC machining processes, often centered on Wire EDM in Pittsburgh, PA. 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 Pittsburgh, PA, Wire EDM Cutting?
For over two decades, Roberson Machine Company has provided precision machining services to industries that demand absolute accuracy. Through advanced CNC machining and wire EDM technology, we bring technical knowledge, reliable turnaround, attentive service, and extensive value-added services to Pittsburgh, PA, 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
Backed by advanced machining and expert support from start to finish, the Roberson Machine Company delivers surgical-grade wire EDM solutions. See our background and team, reach us online, or call 573-646-3996 to ask about Pittsburgh, PA, Wire EDM services and machining capabilities.