CNC EDM & CNC Wire Cut

EDM (electrical discharge machining) is a non traditional metal machining process that uses spark erosion to remove material from the workpiece. An electrical discharge (spark) is created between an electrode which is usually a wire, and the piece to be machined. There is usually a low conductive liquid medium between the two, such as deionized water, which is continually flushed as the work progresses.

The EDM wire electrode is moved close the workpiece, which is then gradually eroded by the electrical discharge. As the workpiece is eroded the electrode is moved further into the piece, along a computer controlled path.

Wire cut EDM is a specific kind of EDM process and is one of the most common. As the wire is brought close the workpiece the electrical field increases as the distance squared. Eventually, the dielectric material will reach a point where electrical breakdown occurs and sparks will fly across the gap between the wire and the workpiece, thus causing both to be eroded by the current. The wire is used as it can be continuously spooled so that the electrode does not become too eroded.