Respected in advanced manufacturing, Sioux Falls, SD, Wire EDM offers unmatched precision for complex geometries and delicate materials. Its capability keeps wire EDM at the core of Precision CNC Machining and today’s 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. Give our team a call at 573-646-3996 or contact us online to learn more about how Sioux Falls, SD, Wire EDM can accelerate and enhance your next project’s success.
Article Synopsis
- A quick look at how wire EDM works, why it cuts without contact, and when it outperforms conventional machining.
- 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.
- Highlighting what Roberson Machine Company brings to the table, such as established processes, modern technology, and predictable timelines.
Whether for aerospace prototypes or medical-grade components, wire EDM enables design and production capabilities unmatched by other methods. Below, we outline how the process functions, where it’s applied, and what working with Roberson Machine Company looks like.
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 Sioux Falls, SD, Wire EDM on the blog and FAQs.
What Is Wire EDM Machining? | [city, SD, Precision CNC Services
We include wire EDM as a specialized option within our wider CNC machining capabilities. Where traditional tools touch the part, wire EDM cuts conductive materials using a fine, electrically energized wire. The wire’s controlled sparks trace a programmed path, eroding material into accurate cuts with zero mechanical stress on the part.
It’s particularly suited for work conventional tools can’t handle: detailed profiles, slim slots, sharp internal corners, and parts in hardened steels, titanium, carbide, or similar alloys. The process produces clean, accurate cuts that are ready for assembly, finishing, or the next stage of production.
Real-World Applications for Sioux Falls, SD, Wire EDM and Precision Cutting
Wire EDM is ideal when conventional cutting can’t achieve the needed accuracy, finish, or tolerance, including on hard-to-machine metals, thin walls, or delicate parts. 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 Sioux Falls, SD, rely on wire EDM. Frequent applications include:
- Aerospace: Precision turbine slots, seal details, and tooling inserts that maintain tolerances after heat treating.
- Military & Defense: Distortion-free cuts in hardened alloys and defense-grade assemblies with sharp internal geometry.
- Automotive: Powertrain tooling, prototype parts, and mold inserts produced with precision internal clearances.
- Medical: Precision implant components, surgical instruments, and micro-scale features cut without burrs.
- Packaging: Wear parts and forming dies with crisp edges and fine finishes to minimize rework.
- Food & Beverage: Corrosion-resistant stainless parts for hygienic washdown applications, machined without distortion.
- Oil & Energy: High-pressure pump parts, sealing surfaces, and alloy components engineered for harsh service.
- 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: Consumer and commercial parts including branding dies, fixtures, and precision runs.
- OEM & Custom Applications: One-off prototypes through production-scale jobs in hardened or exotic conductive materials—we can cut it.
Whether it’s a project or a machining challenge, contact us online or call 573-646-3996 to discuss your Sioux Falls, SD, wire EDM machining requirements.
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. 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? Where legacy specs fall short, the ROBOCUT delivers ≈0.002″ thin-wire cutting, advanced taper choices (±45° @ 1.57″ with option), and stable, faster unattended operation powered by 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
Our Sioux Falls, SD, Wire EDM services handle everything from micro features to large, heavy workpieces, delivering clean edges and repeatable 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. |
Questions about a part or material? Contact us or call 573-646-3996 for more information about Wire EDM in Sioux Falls, SD.
Who Uses EDM Wire Cutting in Sioux Falls, SD?
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 offering is perfect for:
- Project Managers & Directors: Stay on schedule by getting parts delivered on time and built to spec, preventing expensive setbacks.
- Prototype Engineers: Speed up validation and refinement of designs ahead of full production runs.
- Quality Assurance Teams: Get parts that are burr-free and dimensionally accurate, meeting even the strictest tolerance standards.
- Compliance & Regulatory Specialists: Receive parts manufactured to precise specs and prepared for inspection.
- Maintenance & Reliability Engineers: Obtain precision-matched replacements for failed parts, keeping downtime to a minimum.
If your job depends on precision, our Sioux Falls, SD, EDM wire cutting capabilities help you get there on time and within budget.
Materials We Work With for Wire EDM
Electrically conductive materials are the only candidates for Wire EDM, but that includes many metals and alloys too hard for conventional tools. The process provides precise, burr-free finishes without distortion—whether you’re machining hardened steels, thin walls, or exotic alloys.
- Aluminum: Light and corrosion-resistant, commonly used in machining housings, brackets, prototypes, and advanced performance parts.
- Stainless Steel: Corrosion-resistant and durable, frequently specified for medical tools, aerospace structures, and sanitary components.
- Brass & Copper: Used extensively in electrical and fluid applications thanks to their conductivity and ease of machining.
- Titanium: A blend of strength, low weight, and corrosion resistance makes it essential for aerospace, surgical, and performance uses.
- Tool Steels & Carbides: Durable and capable of machining hardened steels and carbide, widely used for molds, dies, and industrial wear parts.
Among the range of CNC machining processes we offer, Wire EDM in Sioux Falls, SD, stands out as a key method for meeting exact specifications. 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 Sioux Falls, SD, Wire EDM Cutting?
With 20+ years of experience, Roberson Machine Company has supported industries where precision and reliability are non-negotiable. 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 Sioux Falls, SD, industries.
Our full set of machining capabilities also covers:
- 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
The Roberson Machine Company provides advanced machining services and process expertise, making us a go-to for surgical-grade wire EDM. For more information on Sioux Falls, SD, Wire EDM services, explore our team and history, request a quote online, or call 573-646-3996.