Electric Discharge Machining, also referred to as spark machining, spark eroding, burning, die sinking or wire erosion, is a manufacturing process whereby a desired shape is obtained using electrical discharges (sparks). Material is removed from the work piece by a series of rapidly recurring current discharges between two electrodes, separated by a dielectric liquid and subject to an electric voltage. One of the electrodes is called the electrode, while the other is called the work piece.

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Principle

By bringing the electrode and the work piece close together, about 0,04 mm we generate a spark, this we call a discharge. In this discharge there is a warmth development, up to 1200 °C, in which material and electrode is melted. The dielectric fluid is now used to cool the electrode and take away the melted particles the size of the melted particles are microscopical.

Generalities

Electric Discharge Machining is een bewerkingsvorm primair gebruikt voor het bewerken van geharde staal of voor die bewerkingen die op geen enkele andere manier te maken zouden zijn met de gangbare technieken. EDM werkt alleen met elektrische geleidende metalen, hoewel er ook methoden zijn ontwikkeld om geleidende ceramiek te bewerken. EDM kan complexe contouren en holtes in geharde staal maken zonder hierbij de hardheid of de taaiheid van het materiaal aan te tasten. Deze bewerking kan worden gebruikt met elektrisch geleidende metaal of legeringen b.v. titanium, wolframcarbid, messing, aluminium, goud, werkstof staal, RVS en andere elektrisch geleidende metalen. Ook zijn er applicaties bekend van bewerkingen om polykristallijn diamanten te her- vormen.

CNC Wire-cut EDM machine

Wire Electric Discharge Machining (WEDM), also known as wire-cut EDM and wire cutting,  a thin single-strand metal wire, usually brass, is fed through the work piece, either open or submerged in a tank of dielectric fluid, normally de-ionized water. The de-ionized water is water were the conductivity has been brought back so it is suitable for the EDM process. Wire-cut EDM is typically used to cut plates as thick as 800 mm and to make punches, tools, and dies from hard metals that are difficult to machine using other methods.