Wire EDM: How We Got Here
More than 45 years ago, a young tool and die maker and plastic injection mold builder named Gordon Shumway saw the EDM process in its infancy and made learning the process his quest. Since then, he’s worked with various major manufacturers as a research and development assistant, instructor and end user of electrical discharge equipment. This firsthand look at the history of the EDM process is...
Back to Basics (4/6): Sinker EDM Machine Basics
Sinker EDM, also referred to as Ram EDM, uses electrodes machined from graphite or copper to shape...
Back to Basics (3/6): Wire EDM Machine Basics
Wire EDM machines use a small, traveling wire electrode to machine complex shapes, which are...
Back to Basics (2/6): The EDM Machining Spark
When you see an EDM in operation, it can appear that there are hundreds or even thousands of...
Back to Basics (1/6): EDM Beginnings
The EDM (Electrical Discharge Machining) process utilizes short bursts or pulses of electrical...
Understanding Sinker EDM Gear Form Machining
In an earlier Expert’s Corner (Understand Wire EDM Gear Form Machining – EDM Today Summer 2017),...
General Tip: Clean and demagnetize the work piece
As part of preparation, a work piece should be thoroughly cleaned and fully demagnetized before...
Is high-speed coated wire worth the cost? Yes.
Coated wire delivers an estimated 20% increase in profit, and a 20-30% increase in cutting speed,...
What is the best type of coated wire to use for high-precision machining applications?
It is important to understand that certain types of coated wire can degrade the accuracy output...
What is the proper programming format for a tapered or 4-axis profile that requires manual wire threading of an angular start hole?
This is a great question since an angular start hole is a situation that commonly occurs in mold...
What is the best type of coated wire to use for achieving the highest quality surface finish?
There are many different types of coated wire available today, so it is important to...