Wire EDM Vs. Sinker EDM (The Difference Between the Two)
Wire EDM Vs. Sinker EDM—What’s The Difference?
Electrical discharge machining (EDM) offers benefits unmatched by conventional techniques which use physical cutting tools. EDM can slice through tough, exotic materials with extreme precision to create intricate geometries at the tiniest scales.
EDM’s ultra-focused sparking capabilities eliminate thermal distortion. Since there’s no physical contact between machine and workpiece, the lack of residual stress increases the lifespan of end-product parts. Additionally, there’s no need for post-machining finishing processes, which saves time, labor, and money.
The two main types of EDM most commonly used are sinker EDM and wire EDM.
What is Sinker EDM?
Sinker EDM (aka conventional EDM) technology was simultaneously developed in the early 1940s by teams of Russian and American scientists experimenting with electrical erosion.
Less than a century later, sinker EDM-based components power the most intricate exploration tools of the 21st century. By using electrical energy to shape metal workpieces, this machining technique produces parts for the rockets, satellites, and spacecraft that have revealed the wonders of the universe like never before.
How Sinker EDM Works
Sinker EDMs utilize an electrode, a power supply, and a dielectric fluid that submerges both the electrode and workpiece. Sinker EDM is so-named because the electrical energy flowing between the electrode and workpiece produces a plasma channel. And the electrode sinks into this channel to finish the desired cut. Therefore, it can create complex cavity shapes, making it a superb option for producing tools like stamping dies and injection molds.
What is Wire EDM?
The main difference between sinker EDM and wire EDM is the type of electrode used to make the cuts. Wire EDM uses an ultra-thin, single-strand wire that’s constantly refreshed through a spool. Since the rapid-fire sparking (at a rate of tens of thousands per second) erodes both the wire and the workpiece, the machine continually replenishes the wire to guarantee a clean cut.
How Wire EDM Works
Wire EDM, unlike sinker EDM, cuts completely through a material, unless contra-indicated. This gives wire EDM a unique ability to precisely fashion small and fragile parts, making wire EDM indispensable for the production of implantable (and other) medical devices, as well as automotive components.
Like sinker EDM, the wire-mediated technique requires bathing both the electrode and workpiece in dielectric fluid, such as deionized water or hydrocarbon oil. The fluid acts as a coolant and also helps prevent unwanted discharges. As it flows, it removes debris that’s eroded from the workpiece and wire.
When it comes to EDM, Beltim & Associates has seen and done it all, resulting in quality components and contented clients every time. And we’d love to help find the best option for all your machining needs, so contact us to get a free quote today!