Known for precision, Virginia Beach, VA, Wire EDM cuts intricate shapes in hard or delicate materials without physical contact. Because it achieves contact-free precision, wire EDM remains vital to Precision CNC Machining and manufacturing.
With advanced wire EDM (Electrical Discharge Machining) equipment, Roberson Machine Company produces repeatable, burr-free results for both intricate prototypes and production-scale parts. Give our team a call at 573-646-3996 or contact us online to learn more about how Virginia Beach, VA, Wire EDM can accelerate and enhance your next project’s success.
Article Synopsis
- A short explanation of how wire EDM works, how it cuts without contact, and where it outshines conventional machining.
- Details on specifications and capabilities such as tolerances, taper angles, work size, and material types, showing if wire EDM is a match.
- Examples of real-world applications and industries—aerospace, medical, packaging, energy—and the team members who manage these projects.
- Details on what Roberson Machine Company brings to the table—proven processes, up-to-date machines, and reliable scheduling from prototype to production.
From medical components to aerospace prototypes, wire EDM offers manufacturing and design flexibility that traditional processes can’t equal. 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
Learn more about our machining capabilities, success stories and reviews, and other information about Virginia Beach, VA, Wire EDM on our blog and FAQs.
What Is Wire EDM Machining? | [city, VA, Precision CNC Services
Within our full range of CNC machining services, wire EDM stands out as a specialized process. Instead of using a cutting tool that physically contacts the workpiece, wire EDM shapes conductive metals with a thin, electrically charged wire. 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.
This process is perfect for geometries and materials beyond conventional machining: intricate profiles, fine slots, tight internal corners, and hardened or exotic alloys like titanium and carbide. Each cut is delivered precise, burr-free, and prepared for the next step in your build.
Real-World Applications for Virginia Beach, VA, 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.
Wire EDM serves Virginia Beach, VA, teams handling prototypes, fixtures, and production-scale projects. Examples of applications include:
- Aerospace: Precision turbine slots, seal details, and tooling inserts that maintain tolerances after heat treating.
- Military & Defense: Critical defense assemblies and hardened alloys machined burr-free with tight internal edges.
- Automotive: Automotive powertrain tooling, inserts, and prototype parts requiring fine interior tolerances.
- Medical: Biocompatible metal implants, surgical devices, and micro features produced clean and burr-free.
- Packaging: Wear parts and forming dies with crisp edges and fine finishes to minimize rework.
- Food & Beverage: Washdown-ready stainless parts, corrosion-resistant and machined without added stress.
- 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: Firearm slides, tooling, and internal pieces requiring accurate, burr-free machining.
- Consumer & Commercial Products: Custom fixtures, precision parts, and branding dies for commercial and consumer products.
- OEM & Custom Applications: From R&D one-offs to production runs in exotic or hardened materials—if it’s conductive, we can cut it.
Working on a project or facing a challenge? Contact us online or reach us at 573-646-3996 to go over your Virginia Beach, VA, wire EDM machining needs.
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. It achieves efficient auto-threading, long stable runs, and clean surface finishes—suited for complex shapes and tight interior 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. Because its work envelope and load capacity vary from older models, we select the right machine based on your part size and tolerance requirements.
Wire EDM Capabilities & Specs
In Virginia Beach, VA, our Wire EDM work spans everything from micro components to heavy pieces, delivering sharp finishes and repeatable 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 Virginia Beach, VA.
Who Uses EDM Wire Cutting in Virginia Beach, VA?
Not limited to machine shops, Wire EDM is a precision service for teams that must have complex parts made correctly from the outset. Our Wire EDM capabilities are suited for:
- Project Managers & Directors: Maintain project flow with components that ship on time and match design requirements, reducing costly holdups.
- 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: Get inspection-ready parts built to exact specifications.
- Maintenance & Reliability Engineers: Obtain precision-matched replacements for failed parts, keeping downtime to a minimum.
If precision is non-negotiable, our Virginia Beach, VA, EDM wire cutting service makes sure you stay on time and within budget.
Materials We Work With for Wire EDM
Wire EDM cuts only electrically conductive materials, which makes it a go-to choice for tough metals and alloys that resist traditional machining. It produces burr-free, accurate results with no added stress or heat damage, even on 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: Durable and corrosion-resistant, commonly used in medical devices, aerospace assemblies, and food-grade components.
- Brass & Copper: Excellent machinability and conductivity make them go-to choices for electrical terminals, connectors, and fluid-related parts.
- Titanium: Lightweight yet strong and corrosion-resistant—ideal for aerospace structures, surgical tools, and performance parts where strength-to-weight ratio matters.
- Tool Steels & Carbides: Tough enough to cut hardened steels and tungsten carbide, essential for dies, molds, punches, and other wear parts.
We use several CNC machining processes to hit your specs, and Wire EDM in Virginia Beach, VA, is often central to that approach. 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 Virginia Beach, VA, Wire EDM Cutting?
With 20+ years of experience, Roberson Machine Company has supported industries where precision and reliability are non-negotiable. Combining our modern CNC shop with wire EDM equipment, we offer technical precision, on-time delivery, responsive service, and comprehensive value-added services for Virginia Beach, VA, companies.
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. Learn more about our team and history, contact us online for a quote, or call 573-646-3996 if you have any questions about Virginia Beach, VA, Wire EDM services and our machining capabilities.