One manufacturing method that has been developed in recent years using advanced technologies and has yet to be fully developed is wire erosion. Wire erosion, a method of chip removal that differs from traditional machining methods, involves the use of a wire with current passing through it.
One of the manufacturing methods developed in recent years using advanced technologies, yet not fully matured in its development process, is wire electrical discharge machining (wire EDM). Unlike conventional machining methods, wire EDM is a material removal technique carried out using a wire through which electric current passes.
In the wire EDM process, the wire electrodes are connected to electrical poles. Between the wire electrode and the workpiece, electrical discharges generate high temperatures, which locally melt the metal and enable the cutting process. With wire EDM, hard materials can be machined with high precision.
However, one critical requirement for machining is that the workpiece must be electrically conductive. The machining speed varies depending on the hardness and conductivity of the material. Increasing the current also increases the cutting speed. However, higher current levels may cause the wire to break or snap, which can negatively affect the precision of the machined part.
Therefore, it’s essential to apply the correct current to achieve the best possible accuracy in machining. In this way, the question “What is wire EDM?” is effectively answered.
Wire EDM Working Principle
Wire EDM machines are based on the principle of electroerosion. This process uses electric current to remove small particles from the metal surface to create the desired shape. The process typically occurs in the gap between a wire electrode and the workpiece.
