Respected in advanced manufacturing, San Diego, CA, Wire EDM offers unmatched precision for complex geometries and delicate materials. That’s why wire EDM is central to Precision CNC Machining and advanced 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. To discuss how San Diego, CA, Wire EDM can drive success for your next project, call our team at 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.
- 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.
- An overview of what Roberson Machine Company brings to the table, including modern equipment, established processes, and consistent lead times.
Wire EDM expands design and manufacturing potential, from aerospace prototypes to medical-grade components, in ways other processes cannot. 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 San Diego, CA, Wire EDM on our blog and FAQs.
What Is Wire EDM Machining? | [city, CA, Precision CNC Services
Wire EDM is one of the specialized services included in our broader CNC machining capabilities. Rather than relying on direct-contact tooling, wire EDM forms conductive metals with a thin wire carrying electrical charge. The wire’s controlled sparks trace a programmed path, eroding material into accurate cuts with zero mechanical stress on the part.
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. Cuts leave the machine accurate, smooth, and immediately ready for further assembly or finishing.
Real-World Applications for San Diego, CA, 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.
From prototypes and fixtures to complete production runs, teams across San Diego, CA, rely on wire EDM. Examples of applications include:
- Aerospace: Fine turbine slots, seal features, and tooling inserts engineered to hold tolerance post heat treat.
- Military & Defense: Hardened alloys and mission assemblies where crisp internal corners and accuracy are vital.
- Automotive: Mold inserts, powertrain tooling, and prototypes machined with tight internal clearances.
- Medical: Burr-free surgical instruments, implant components, and micro features in biocompatible metals.
- Packaging: Sharp-edged forming dies and smooth wear parts designed to limit secondary finishing.
- Food & Beverage: Washdown-ready stainless parts, corrosion-resistant and machined without added stress.
- Oil & Energy: Pump components, sealing details, and alloy parts machined for corrosive, high-pressure use.
- Automation & Robotics: Motion-critical housings, fixtures, and components for automation systems with tight interior details.
- Firearm Manufacturing: Precision firearm components including slides, tooling, and internals with consistent accuracy.
- Consumer & Commercial Products: Consumer and commercial parts including branding dies, fixtures, and precision runs.
- OEM & Custom Applications: R&D prototypes to production in exotic or hardened materials—if it conducts, wire EDM handles it.
Working on a project or facing a challenge? Contact us online or reach us at 573-646-3996 to go over your San Diego, CA, 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. With quick auto-threading, steady long-duration operation, and excellent surface finish, it excels at producing intricate features and precise internal gaps.
| 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. With different work envelope and load specs than previous units, we align the machine with your part size and tolerance goals.
Wire EDM Capabilities & Specs
For customers in San Diego, CA, our Wire EDM capabilities cover projects from delicate micro features to heavy workpieces, producing clean edges and consistent accuracy 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 San Diego, CA.
Who Uses EDM Wire Cutting in San Diego, CA?
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. We deliver Wire EDM solutions for:
- Project Managers & Directors: Keep schedules on track with parts that arrive on time and to spec, avoiding costly delays.
- Prototype Engineers: Refine and prove out designs quickly to prepare for mass production.
- Quality Assurance Teams: Obtain components free of burrs and built to the tightest dimensional requirements.
- Compliance & Regulatory Specialists: Rely on parts built with precision to satisfy compliance and audit standards.
- Maintenance & Reliability Engineers: Maintain uptime with accurate, like-for-like replacements for worn or broken components.
When precision is critical, our San Diego, CA, EDM wire cutting services keep your projects on schedule 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: Tough and resistant to corrosion, making it essential for medical devices, aerospace applications, and food-grade parts.
- Brass & Copper: Highly machinable and conductive, making them staples for electrical contacts, connectors, terminals, and fluid-handling parts.
- Titanium: Corrosion-resistant and lightweight, frequently applied in aerospace designs, surgical tools, and precision performance parts.
- Tool Steels & Carbides: Engineered for cutting hardened steels and carbide, making them critical in dies, molds, and wear components.
We meet exact specs with a mix of CNC machining processes, often centered on Wire EDM in San Diego, CA. Some parts are best produced solely with Wire EDM, while others require it alongside milling, turning, or complementary precision processes.
Why Roberson Machine Company for San Diego, CA, Wire EDM Cutting?
For decades, Roberson Machine Company has specialized in delivering precision manufacturing solutions where accuracy is critical. 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 San Diego, CA, industries.
Other machining capabilities:
- 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
The Roberson Machine Company provides advanced machining services and process expertise, making us a go-to for surgical-grade wire EDM. Learn more about our team and history, contact us online for a quote, or call 573-646-3996 if you have any questions about San Diego, CA, Wire EDM services and our machining capabilities.