What Is Wire EDM?
Wire electrical discharge machining is known by several other names, including wire EDM, wire cutting, wire erosion, or “cheese cutter” EDM. All refer to the process of utilizing an electrode wire that adheres to the electronically programmed path so that precise cuts or shapes into a material piece can be made (most often a conductive piece of material).
As the wire-cutting process takes place, the electrode wire never touches the material that it is cutting, allowing for machining that does not result in a warped path for the wire to follow, or a deformed shape or cut to the material.
In order for this to work properly, the wire is quickly charged to the voltage needed while surrounded by deionized water. As the voltage level is achieved, an electrical spark ignites, jumping over the gap and melting the material in the desired spot. The deionized water lowers the temperature of any particles and washes them away from the workpiece.
What Is Wire EDM Used For?
Because a wire EDM machine has the capability to follow four independent axes to produce taper cuts, it is perfect for intricate pieces or smaller works that could be damaged by using other machines or traditional techniques.
This includes properly handling projects that involve pieces with thicker parts that require fine detailing or good finishes, complicated shapes or narrow slots, bigger pieces that must hold accurate tolerances, or materials that are especially fragile, dense, expensive, or weak.
What Is Hole Popping?
Electrical discharge machine popping, also known as EDM CNC hole popping, uses almost the same exact process as wire electrical discharge machining. The main difference is that hole popping utilizes an electrode drilling tool that is electrically charged rather than using wire.
Whatever material is being worked on acts as the second electrode so that there is an electrical discharge between the material and the tool, creating the sparks that make the cuts in the material. Just as with wire cutting, the tool never touches the material that it is cutting.
If you need very small diameter holes that are accurately and precisely popped, hole popping is a great choice. Several items that have been created using precision hole popping include injection mold nozzles and parts, fuel injectors, plastic mold vent holes, oil drain and coolant holes, and turbine blades.
Improve Your Production with Elite Turning & Machining
At Elite Turning & Machining, we offer CNC software in our milling machines as a way to achieve low tolerance thresholds. They allow you to meet project deadlines with precision and high milling quality. Contact us to learn more about our products and how we can assist you in cutting down your production times.
