Among today’s most precise manufacturing tools, Toledo, OH, Wire EDM stands out. It can cut complex shapes in hard or delicate materials without physical contact, making wire EDM essential to Precision CNC Machining and production.
At Roberson Machine Company, our wire EDM (Electrical Discharge Machining) technology delivers accurate, burr-free results, from complex prototypes through production-critical assemblies. Reach out at 573-646-3996 or contact us online to see how Toledo, OH, Wire EDM can improve speed and quality for your next project.
Article Synopsis
- A short explanation of how wire EDM works, how it cuts without contact, and where it outshines conventional machining.
- Review of specifications and capabilities—tolerances, tapers, envelopes, and materials—to confirm wire EDM fits your project’s needs.
- Straightforward examples of real-world applications and industries (aerospace, medical, packaging, energy) and who inside those teams typically owns the work.
- Details on what Roberson Machine Company brings to the table—proven processes, up-to-date machines, and reliable scheduling from prototype to production.
From aerospace prototypes to medical-grade components, wire EDM opens up design and manufacturing possibilities other processes can’t match. The sections below explain how wire EDM works, its applications, and what to expect from 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
Discover our machining capabilities, success stories, and additional Toledo, OH, Wire EDM resources available on the blog and FAQs.
What Is Wire EDM Machining? | [city, OH, Precision CNC Services
Wire EDM is a specialized process within our broader CNC machining capabilities. 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.
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. Parts come off the machine precise, burr-free, and ready to move straight into the next step of your build.
Real-World Applications for Toledo, OH, 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. This process machines conductive materials cleanly, producing burr-free parts in titanium, carbide, Inconel, hardened steels, and beyond.
Wire EDM in Toledo, OH, supports prototypes, tooling fixtures, and full-scale production jobs. Examples of applications include:
- Aerospace: Precision turbine slots, seal details, and tooling inserts that maintain tolerances after heat treating.
- Military & Defense: Hardened alloy components and mission-critical assemblies that need distortion-free cuts and crisp internal corners.
- Automotive: Powertrain tooling, prototype parts, and mold inserts produced with precision internal clearances.
- Medical: Surgical tools, implant parts, and micro features machined burr-free in biocompatible alloys.
- Packaging: Wear parts and forming dies with crisp edges and fine finishes to minimize rework.
- Food & Beverage: Food-grade stainless components built for washdown service, free from stress or burrs.
- Oil & Energy: High-pressure pump parts, sealing surfaces, and alloy components engineered for harsh service.
- Automation & Robotics: Precision fixtures, housings, and motion assemblies designed with close internal clearances.
- Firearm Manufacturing: Slides, internal components, and tooling where repeatable accuracy and clean edges matter.
- Consumer & Commercial Products: Branding dies, custom fixtures, and low- to mid-volume precision parts.
- 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 Toledo, OH, wire EDM machining requirements.
FANUC ROBOCUT α-C400iC: New Wire EDM Technology
We’ve added the FANUC ROBOCUT α-C400iC to increase precision, speed, and thin-wire cutting capability. 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 limits differ from past models, so we fit the right unit to your part’s size and tolerance needs.
Wire EDM Capabilities & Specs
Across Toledo, OH, our Wire EDM services are suited for jobs from intricate features to heavy-duty workpieces, producing accurate, burr-free results on conductive materials. Here’s 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. |
Need details on a part or material? Contact us or call 573-646-3996 to learn more about Wire EDM in Toledo, OH.
Who Uses EDM Wire Cutting in Toledo, OH?
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. Our services are a fit 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: Rely on consistently accurate, burr-free parts that satisfy rigorous tolerance demands.
- Compliance & Regulatory Specialists: Obtain parts that meet strict specifications and pass inspection with confidence.
- Maintenance & Reliability Engineers: Use precise replacement parts to quickly recover from wear or damage and keep systems running.
If your job depends on precision, our Toledo, OH, EDM wire cutting capabilities help you get there on time and within budget.
Materials We Work With for Wire EDM
Wire EDM works only on electrically conductive materials, making it ideal for metals and alloys that are difficult to cut with traditional tools. It delivers clean, burr-free results without mechanical stress or thermal distortion—whether the job calls for thin-walled parts, hardened steels, or exotic alloys.
- Aluminum: Known for being light and corrosion-resistant, often chosen for housings, brackets, prototypes, and other performance-focused parts.
- Stainless Steel: Corrosion-resistant and durable, frequently specified for medical tools, aerospace structures, and sanitary components.
- Brass & Copper: Valued for conductivity and machinability, common in contacts, connectors, and fluid-handling systems.
- Titanium: Known for its strength-to-weight ratio and corrosion resistance, perfect for aerospace, medical, and high-performance components.
- Tool Steels & Carbides: Known for toughness in cutting hardened steels and carbides, relied on for dies, molds, and precision wear components.
Wire EDM in Toledo, OH, 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 Toledo, OH, Wire EDM Cutting?
For more than 20 years, Roberson Machine Company has delivered precision manufacturing solutions for industries where accuracy isn’t optional. 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 Toledo, OH, customers.
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
Through advanced machining and expert guidance across production, the Roberson Machine Company stands out as a leader in surgical-grade wire EDM. Discover details about our history and team, get a quote online, or call 573-646-3996 with questions regarding Toledo, OH, Wire EDM services and machining capabilities.