Preparation and Setup:
Design the desired shape or part using CAD software. Prepare the workpiece by cleaning and securing it onto the Wire EDM machine's fixture.
Wire EDM, which stands for Wire Electrical Discharge Machining, is a specialized machining process used to cut complex shapes in metal parts with a high degree of precision. It is a non-traditional machining method that utilizes electrical sparks to erode and remove material from a workpiece.
The basic principle of Wire EDM involves the use of a thin, electrically conductive wire, typically made of brass or copper, which acts as an electrode. This wire is guided through the material being machined, and a small gap is maintained between the wire and the workpiece.
When an electric current passes through the wire, a series of high-frequency electrical discharges, known as sparks, occur between the wire and the workpiece. These sparks generate intense heat, melting and vaporizing the material in their path. As the wire advances through the workpiece, the molten material is flushed away by a dielectric fluid, usually deionized water, which cools the wire and helps maintain the gap.