Wire EDM and Its Industrial Applications
Machining parts with complex geometries or fine features has always been a challenge. Over the years, various techniques have been employed to manufacture such parts, and wire EDM is one of them. It is a type of CNC machining that is used to machine small and delicate parts. You will be surprised to know that many of the applications you see today are created using wire EDM. This post introduces you to some of the popular applications of this machining technology.
1.This technology has been used for the following machining applications:
1) Implantable Medical Device Machining
Implantable medical devices require high precision. They are carefully machined to avoid any deformation. These parts require tapered cutting, which is achieved by wire EDM. During this process, there is no contact between the workpiece and the wire, which helps to avoid any type of damage or deformation.
2) Injection Molding
EDM is an advanced machining process that can machine small workpieces into various shapes. This machining technology can be used to machine ultra-tapered slots, blade slots, blade and tapered slots, precision holes and small holes, etc.
3) Extrusion Dies
Extrusion and forging dies are difficult to machine. Wire cutting can cut carbide and easily produce different draft angles with just one tooling operation.
4) Small hole drilling
As the name suggests, small hole drilling is considered the most reliable processing technology for drilling holes in plastic molds, turbine blades, cutting tools, punch injectors, etc.
5) Aerospace component processing
Aerospace components have strict processing requirements. High precision and tight tolerances are two standard requirements in this industry. This can be easily achieved using EDM. They help to manufacture high-stress and high-temperature components such as engine systems, fuel systems, landing gear systems, and advanced weapon systems.
2.In addition to the above, wire cutting is also commonly used for:
- Drilling holes in pneumatic or air brakes
- Repairing cold forging and hot forging worn dies and reprocessing
- Processing electrodes