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

[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]

Originally Posted by 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
>$$$$$

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]

Originally Posted by 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

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