What is Electrical Discharge Machining, how it works and its Importance
Electrical discharge machining (EDM) is a system in use today in the manufacturing process started when Joseph Priestly in 1770 discovered that electrical discharge could erode the metal.
He found that electrical discharges removed material from the electrodes, which is known as electro-discharge erosion. In the 1940s two Soviet researchers, Lazarenkosβ, formed a machining process that became the foundation for modern wire EDM and small hole EDM. When conventionally used machines are no longer operational, electric discharge machining (EDM) are used. The EDM tooling allows the manufacturers to work with accuracy and precision, and is applied is on the conductive material.
Today wire EDM machines have increased the potentiality of manufacturers as they can manufacture and work on many delicate, intricate and complex parts. They play a pertinent role in a vast range of industries including medical, aerospace and medical manufacturing. EDM also helps in manufacturing many precise military parts.
In the EDM Tooling process, the material is removed from a workpiece with the help of thermal energy. Much like other systems like laser cutting, EDM does not require mechanical force while removing, and this is why it is better than its conventional methods. EDM is used for tool making and mold making due to its ease to use over hard materials like titanium or for usage in complex shapes, which is not possible with milling. How Does EDM Works? In simple words, this system is applied in manufacturing to remove material from conductive materials with the help of an electrode. It is just like pressing the form into soft material. In the process, the electrodes leave a negative imprint in the piece.
There are many types of EDM Machines like sinker EDM, Hole Drilling, and Wide EDM. The main advantage of EDM is its versatile usage and how it is used with metals, especially with harder metals that are difficult to mechanically machine. It is also easy to work on the metals like tungsten carbide or titanium with EDM. EDM's other big advantage is its ability to generate precise outlines on parts without the need to deburr or clean the edges. EDM has also the capability to make long cuts that otherwise are not possible. EDM is perfectly used for slots or ribs. Where We Can Use EDM? EDM is used in small production batches that need intense operations with care and accuracy. These are used in the mold-making industry, aerospace, and automotive industries. These industries also make use of mechanical machining processes that are now using high-tech machines. Now EDM is generally being used in all industries. It is also impacting our lives in one way or the other and is a lucrative machining process. Maxx Tooling is a manufacturer of high-quality and innovative products used for the machining and EDM industry. It has all types of systems that you can use for milling, sinker, and wire operations and other workholding tasks. They offer the best solutions for challenging tasks in workholding, with Macro and ER technology and other high-end systems and smart solutions.
