pic: 294 - This is How we cut (wire EDM)

[AdamHeard]

[cdm-description=photo]29022[/cdm-description]

[Pavan Dave]

Could you explain what Wire EDM is and how and why it is used please?

[AdamHeard]

They can cut any shape as it is wire (very, very thin) that does the cutting with electricity.

Team 195 cut their wheels with one. (http://www.chiefdelphi.com/media/photos/26724)

We've used it to cut keyways, odd sized hex holes, strange hubs (5mm w/ 4.5mm flat), etc...

[Dan Petrovic]

The best description I can give is that it's like a waterjet.

Although, from what I've heard, EDMs leave a cleaner edge than waterjets.

[DonRotolo]

Think of it as a very small wire, and sparks are made to jump from the tip of thr wire to whatever metal workpiece you want to shape. The sparks vaporize a tiny amount of the metal workpiece, and if you do it often enough you spark a hole into the workpiece. Now, control the spark and wire tip position very precisely, and you can shape some really complex shapes. Unlike a waterjet, you don't have to cut all the way through.

EDM - Electical Discharge Machining.

Don

[AdamHeard]

Think of it as a very small wire, and sparks are made to jump from the tip of thr wire to whatever metal workpiece you want to shape. The sparks vaporize a tiny amount of the metal workpiece, and if you do it often enough you spark a hole into the workpiece. Now, control the spark and wire tip position very precisely, and you can shape some really complex shapes. Unlike a waterjet, you don't have to cut all the way through.

EDM - Electical Discharge Machining.

Don

Well... for the machines we have that is halfway correct.

We have a wire EDM which has a wire that goes through the part and cuts profiles.

The other is called a "Sinker" (I think) which as a shaped electrode (like a hex shaft) that when pushed into the piece, takes of .003 at a time. This doesn't have to go all the way through.

[Cory]

The best description I can give is that it's like a waterjet.

Although, from what I've heard, EDMs leave a cleaner edge than waterjets.

as well as leaving a cleaner finish, they can machine much smaller radii, and can hold much closer tolerances.

[Qbranch]

Things that describe a wire EDM machine:

>Swiss-Watch Accurate
>Cuts things you can't cut any other way
>Slower than Molasses on the dark side of the moon in january. (Rough your parts with a standard CNC machine first if possible, or wait a day or so)
>Smoky
>$$$$$

If you can...
>See if you can use a contact EDM machine (carbon/graphite shaped electrodes) which cut faster.

They make cool stuff... but see if you can make it another way first! (Broaching, etc.)

-q

[EricH]

Things that describe a wire EDM machine:

>Swiss-Watch Accurate
>Cuts things you can't cut any other way
>Slower than Molasses on the dark side of the moon in january. (Rough your parts with a standard CNC machine first if possible, or wait a day or so)
>Smoky
>$$$$$
Add down when you need them and that's the lot, I think. This machine was down for some reason in February--and both 330 and 294 needed to put a keyway in a sprocket right at the end of build! (ECC didn't have the right size broach at the time. They got one a week or so later.)

[Raul]

Things that describe a wire EDM machine:

>Swiss-Watch Accurate
>Cuts things you can't cut any other way
>Slower than Molasses on the dark side of the moon in january. (Rough your parts with a standard CNC machine first if possible, or wait a day or so)
>Smoky
>$$$$$

If you can...
>See if you can use a contact EDM machine (carbon/graphite shaped electrodes) which cut faster.

They make cool stuff... but see if you can make it another way first! (Broaching, etc.)

-q
Adding to this:
> it can cut through very thick metal - I have seen as much as 4 inches, but very slowly
> it can make a tapered cut from the top to the bottom through the metal thickness
Both of these come in handy for making molds and punch press tools.

[Chief Pride]

YOU HAVE A WIRE EDM???

im so jelous :(

[Binome]

The EDM is an amazing tool, we used one last year for getting a coupler done for the window motor, and it turned out great.