Among today’s most precise manufacturing tools, Plano, TX, Wire EDM stands out. That’s why wire EDM is central to Precision CNC Machining and advanced manufacturing.
Using advanced wire EDM (Electrical Discharge Machining) processes, Roberson Machine Company provides burr-free, reliable results for everything from prototypes to high-volume production runs. Connect with our team at 573-646-3996 or contact us online to explore the advantages Plano, TX, Wire EDM brings to your next project.
Article Synopsis
- A concise breakdown of how wire EDM works, its contact-free cutting process, and the cases where it’s superior to traditional machining.
- Specifications and capabilities (tolerances, taper angles, work envelopes, materials, etc.) to see if wire EDM cutting matches your project’s strict requirements.
- Simple examples of real-world applications and industries (aerospace, medical, packaging, energy) with notes on who oversees the work.
- Explaining what Roberson Machine Company brings to the table, with proven workflows, advanced equipment, and dependable turnaround times.
Wire EDM makes new design and manufacturing options possible—covering everything from aerospace prototypes to medical components—where other processes fall short. 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
Find details on our machining services, reviews and success stories, and more about Plano, TX, Wire EDM in the blog and FAQs.
What Is Wire EDM Machining? | [city, TX, Precision CNC Services
As part of our complete CNC machining offering, wire EDM is a unique and highly precise method. In place of mechanical cutting tools, wire EDM uses a fine electrically charged wire to machine conductive materials. 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.
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. Cuts leave the machine accurate, smooth, and immediately ready for further assembly or finishing.
Real-World Applications for Plano, TX, 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.
From prototypes and fixtures to complete production runs, teams across Plano, TX, rely on wire EDM. Examples of applications include:
- Aerospace: Precision turbine slots, seal details, and tooling inserts that maintain tolerances after heat treating.
- Military & Defense: Hardened alloys and mission assemblies where crisp internal corners and accuracy are vital.
- Automotive: Precision powertrain tools, prototype components, and mold inserts designed with tight internal features.
- Medical: Biocompatible metal implants, surgical devices, and micro features produced clean and 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: Pump components, sealing details, and alloy parts machined for corrosive, high-pressure use.
- Automation & Robotics: Automation parts such as fixtures, housings, and moving elements cut with tight tolerances.
- Firearm Manufacturing: Consistently accurate firearm slides, internals, and tooling with sharp, burr-free edges.
- Consumer & Commercial Products: Fixtures, branding dies, and precision parts produced for consumer and commercial needs.
- OEM & Custom Applications: Single R&D parts to large production jobs in conductive alloys, even exotic or hardened.
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 Plano, TX, wire EDM machining needs.
FANUC ROBOCUT α-C400iC: New Wire EDM Technology
We’ve added a new FANUC ROBOCUT α-C400iC to expand cutting speed, precision, and thin-wire capability. Fast auto-threading, consistent performance in extended runs, and high-quality surface finishes make it a strong fit for complex designs and small 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. Its work envelope and load limits differ from past models, so we fit the right unit to your part’s size and tolerance needs.
Wire EDM Capabilities & Specs
For customers in Plano, TX, 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. |
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 Plano, TX.
Who Uses EDM Wire Cutting in Plano, TX?
Wire EDM has applications far past the machine shop—it’s a precision approach for anyone tasked with delivering complex parts on the first try. Our services are a fit for:
- Project Managers & Directors: Keep schedules on track with parts that arrive on time and to spec, avoiding costly delays.
- Prototype Engineers: Speed up validation and refinement of designs ahead of full production runs.
- Quality Assurance Teams: Obtain components free of burrs and built to the tightest dimensional requirements.
- Compliance & Regulatory Specialists: Receive parts manufactured to precise specs and prepared for inspection.
- Maintenance & Reliability Engineers: Replace worn or damaged components with precise, like-for-like replacements that minimize downtime.
If your job depends on precision, our Plano, TX, EDM wire cutting capabilities help you get there on time and within budget.
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: Known for being light and corrosion-resistant, often chosen for housings, brackets, prototypes, and other performance-focused parts.
- Stainless Steel: Strong, corrosion-resistant, and relied on for medical equipment, aerospace hardware, and food-safe parts.
- 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: Known for toughness in cutting hardened steels and carbides, relied on for dies, molds, and precision wear components.
Wire EDM in Plano, TX, is part of the broader set of CNC machining processes we rely on to meet precise project requirements. 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 Plano, TX, Wire EDM Cutting?
For over two decades, Roberson Machine Company has provided precision machining services to industries that demand absolute accuracy. By leveraging a modern CNC shop and specialized wire EDM systems, we deliver technical skill, consistent lead times, and a full suite of value-added services to Plano, TX, customers.
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. For more information on Plano, TX, Wire EDM services, explore our team and history, request a quote online, or call 573-646-3996.