Wire EDM (Electrical Discharge Machining) has eased many difficulties and is an accurate and efficient way to manufacture custom metal parts and components. If you are experiencing this machine for the first time, you may think that the wire is cutting the material. In reality, EDM wire cutting machining service uses electric current discharge between two electrodes, the workpiece and the tool.
During this procedure, an electric current used to cut the conductive material (conductive materials can easily machined) of the workpiece and leave behind a very clean surface that does not need any additional polishing and finishing process.
This machining process normally used when small residual stresses are preferred, as there is a slight change in the mechanical properties of the conductive material.
Process explanation:
As I mentioned above, the cutting wire never touches the conductive material during the EDM process. Rather, cutting occurs when sparks form between the cutting wire and the material. The deionized water used during the wire cutting process, as it deionizes the spark gap, removes particles from the workpiece, and finally acts as a cooling agent.
Wire EDM is broadly used in a multitude of machining industries. Some of them provide the best WEDM services to produce components by cutting complex shapes into multiple conductive and often delicate materials.
General metals for WEDM services:
Practically speaking, any conductive material is best for wire EDM, and it contains almost all metals available in the world. But some companies offer cutting services for materials other than conductive materials, such as plastics, metal alloys, and other rare materials.
Below I have tried to describe in detail some of the metals that are commonly used;
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Alloy Steel:
The surface of alloy steel is subject to extreme temperatures, which cause it to melt or evaporate. Along with wire EDM, you can get steel parts with a good life.
Alloy steel is a wear-resistant metal and prevents the possibility of unexpected defects happening on its surface.
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Aluminum:
Aluminum is also a generally known conductive material for wire EDM that can be easily cut into accurate parts but can have some problems if its thickness is large. The use of aluminum machined parts is very high.
If specifically speaking, its appreciated in most engineering applications developed for high strength and hardness in parts. Furthermore, regarding the use of aluminum, it is important to mention that it is spreading as a wire-cut EDM material in the marine, automotive, and aviation industries globally.
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Stainless steel (SS):
The fascinating fact about WEDM is that it can manufacture intricate shapes out of approximately any electrically conductive material, particularly stainless steel (SS). The machined SS (stainless steel) parts widely used in the medical field, automotive, and aerospace industries.
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Brass:
Brass is an alloy of zinc and copper; most manufacturing companies use industrial-grade brass to improve WEDM machined parts. Generally, it is also a good material for WEDM due to its properties.
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Copper:
When it comes to copper and its alloys, copper is a very cost-effective conductive material.
well-known manufacturing industries choose the best industrial-grade copper, resulting in high-quality and high-performance copper parts.
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Iron:
Iron can be productive and resourceful for you, and it offers several physical and structural benefits compared to other WEDM materials, including aluminum and steel. The WEDM has the potential to improve the performance and quality of your iron parts.
Here are some other materials that are using on WEDM;
- Nickel
- Gold
- Titanium
- Platinum
- Bronze
