Among today’s most precise manufacturing tools, Richmond, VA, 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. Interested in learning how Richmond, VA, Wire EDM can support your next project? Call 573-646-3996 or contact us online.
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.
- Straightforward examples of real-world applications and industries (aerospace, medical, packaging, energy) and who inside those teams typically owns the work.
- Explaining what Roberson Machine Company brings to the table, with proven workflows, advanced equipment, and dependable turnaround times.
From aerospace prototypes to medical-grade components, wire EDM opens up design and manufacturing possibilities other processes can’t match. 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
Learn more about our machining capabilities, success stories and reviews, and other information about Richmond, VA, Wire EDM on our blog and FAQs.
What Is Wire EDM Machining? | [city, VA, Precision CNC Services
Wire EDM is one of the specialized services included in our broader CNC machining capabilities. Unlike standard machining tools that make contact, wire EDM uses a fine, electrically charged wire to cut conductive metals. 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. The process produces clean, accurate cuts that are ready for assembly, finishing, or the next stage of production.
Real-World Applications for Richmond, VA, 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.
Teams use wire EDM in Richmond, VA, for prototypes, fixtures, and full production runs. Common applications include:
- Aerospace: Turbine slots, seals, and tooling inserts cut to tight tolerance even after heat treatment.
- Military & Defense: Mission-critical assemblies and hardened alloys cut cleanly with sharp internal features.
- Automotive: Automotive powertrain tooling, inserts, and prototype parts requiring fine interior tolerances.
- Medical: Burr-free surgical instruments, implant components, and micro features in biocompatible metals.
- Packaging: Forming dies and wear components machined with sharp profiles and smooth surfaces for less post-processing.
- Food & Beverage: Durable stainless components for food-grade washdown, cut cleanly and stress-free.
- Oil & Energy: Sealing surfaces, pump parts, and alloy components built for high-pressure, corrosive conditions.
- Automation & Robotics: Fixtures, housings, and motion-critical parts with tight internal features.
- Firearm Manufacturing: Internal parts, slides, and firearm tooling cut to deliver repeatable precision and crisp edges.
- Consumer & Commercial Products: Branding dies, custom fixtures, and low- to mid-volume precision parts.
- OEM & Custom Applications: R&D prototypes to production in exotic or hardened materials—if it conducts, wire EDM handles 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 Richmond, VA, 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 delivers fast auto-threading, stable long runs, and excellent surface finishes—ideal for complex features and tight internal 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. 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
Across Richmond, VA, our Wire EDM services are suited for jobs from intricate features to heavy-duty workpieces, producing accurate, burr-free results on conductive materials. See below for a general breakdown about 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. |
Need details on a part or material? Contact us or call 573-646-3996 to learn more about Wire EDM in Richmond, VA.
Who Uses EDM Wire Cutting in Richmond, VA?
Wire EDM isn’t just for machine shops—it’s a precision solution for anyone responsible for getting complex parts made right the first time. We provide services ideal for:
- Project Managers & Directors: Ensure timelines hold by receiving parts that meet specifications and arrive when needed, cutting out delays.
- Prototype Engineers: Speed up validation and refinement of designs ahead of full production runs.
- Quality Assurance Teams: Receive dimensionally consistent, burr-free components that meet demanding tolerance 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 Richmond, VA, EDM wire cutting capabilities help you get there on time and within budget.
Materials We Work With for Wire EDM
Because Wire EDM works solely with electrically conductive materials, it excels at cutting metals and alloys beyond the reach of standard machining. It leaves parts burr-free and distortion-free, handling hardened steels, delicate thin walls, and even exotic alloys.
- Aluminum: Lightweight and durable against corrosion, making it a top pick for housings, brackets, prototypes, and performance parts.
- Stainless Steel: Strong, corrosion-resistant, and relied on for medical equipment, aerospace hardware, and food-safe parts.
- Brass & Copper: Used extensively in electrical and fluid applications thanks to their conductivity and ease of machining.
- Titanium: Known for its strength-to-weight ratio and corrosion resistance, perfect for aerospace, medical, and high-performance components.
- Tool Steels & Carbides: Durable and capable of machining hardened steels and carbide, widely used for molds, dies, and industrial wear parts.
Wire EDM in Richmond, VA, is part of the broader set of CNC machining processes we rely on to meet precise project requirements. 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 Richmond, VA, Wire EDM Cutting?
Backed by 20 years in business, Roberson Machine Company continues to serve industries that cannot compromise on precision. Combining our modern CNC shop with wire EDM equipment, we offer technical precision, on-time delivery, responsive service, and comprehensive value-added services for Richmond, VA, companies.
Beyond Wire EDM, our machining capabilities:
- 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
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 Richmond, VA, Wire EDM services.