EDM is a machining method primarily used for
hard metals or those that would be impossible to machine with traditional
techniques. One critical limitation, however, is that EDM only works
with materials that are electrically conductive. EDM or Electrical
Discharge Machining, is especially well-suited for cutting intricate
contours or delicate cavities that would be difficult to produce
with a grinder, an end mill or other cutting tools. Metals that
can be machined with EDM include hastalloy, hardened tool-steel,
titanium, carbide, inconel and kovar.
EDM or Electrical discharge machining is frequently
used by us to make dies and molds for die casting. EDM, is especially
well-suited for cutting thin ribs and other details that would be
difficult to produce with a mill or other cutting tools. Often times
with lighting die casting molds or die cast roof tile molds, intricate
cuts are required. A graphite electrode must then be shaped and
aligned in an EDM machine to produce the desired feature.
EDM is sometimes called "spark
machining" because it removes metal by producing a rapid
series of repetitive electrical discharges. These electrical discharges
are passed between an electrode and the piece of metal being machined.
The small amount of material that is removed from the workpiece
is flushed away with a continuously flowing fluid. The repetitive
discharges create a set of successively deeper craters in the work
piece until the final shape is produced. |