What Is Wire Erosion
EDM (Electro Discharge Machining) Wire Erosion is a precision engineering process where a work piece is cut through with a strand of wire. The wire produces electrical sparks between it and the piece being worked on. As a consequence these electrical sparks cut the work piece forming it into a final product. Wire Erosion is a cost-effective machining method which leads to incredible accuracy on thicker component parts. Wire cutting machines can cut complex shapes even in tough materials.
The sparks are extremely controlled and recently the addition of dielectric deionised water has been added to yield a higher accuracy rate. . The water acts as a coolant to make sure the metal components don’t overheat and to wash away any particles that could get in the way. The wire erosion process starts towards the edge of a work piece or by drilling a hole where the process will start.
The EDM wire erosion process dates back to 1770 when an English scientist, Joseph Priestley discovers that electrical discharge could erode metal.
More About the Main Advantages of Wire Erosion
Wire Erosion provided the ability to work with complex shapes that would otherwise be difficult to produce with conventional cutting tools.
It also is an ideal solution to work on extremely hard materials with very close tolerances. It is also ideal to work on very small pieces where conventional cutting tools may damage the part from excess cutting tool pressure.
There is no direct contact between tool and work piece this means that the delicate sections or a part and /or weak materials can be machined without perceivable distortion.
A good surface finish can be obtained; a very good surface may be obtained by redundant finishing paths.
It also provides the ability to create very fine holes and can also create tapered holes.
