Electrical Discharge Machine

Overview

Electrical Discharge Machines (EDM) use precisely controlled electrical sparks to remove material from conductive workpieces. This non-contact machining process achieves extremely tight tolerances and complex geometries that conventional cutting tools cannot produce.

Types of EDM

• Wire EDM: Uses a thin wire electrode to cut intricate profiles and contours with tolerances down to ±0.002 mm
• Sinker EDM: Uses a shaped electrode to create cavities, moulds, and complex 3D forms in hardened materials
• Hole Drilling EDM: Produces small, deep holes in hard metals for cooling channels and fuel injection nozzles

Key Advantages

• Machines any electrically conductive material regardless of hardness
• No mechanical force applied — eliminates tool wear and workpiece distortion
• Achieves mirror-finish surface quality (Ra < 0.1 μm)
• Produces sharp internal corners and deep narrow slots
• Ideal for hardened tool steels, carbide, and exotic alloys

Applications

• Mould and die manufacturing
• Aerospace turbine blade cooling holes
• Medical device and implant machining
• Precision tooling and punch-die sets
• Automotive injection nozzle production

Technical Capabilities

• Positioning accuracy: ±0.001 mm
• Surface finish: Ra 0.05–3.2 μm depending on process parameters
• Workpiece materials: tool steel, tungsten carbide, titanium, Inconel, copper alloys