Copper VS Graphite Which Material is Better for EDM Electrodes? - Part 2 | Learn to Burn

[@campparsonssundayschool7844]

I worked in an edm shop for 9 years that did mostly die work but also mold work for moldmakers that didn’t have wire machines. On the sinkers, we never used graphite, only copper electrodes because the owner hated the dust and filth associated with graphite.

[@DancingMachine1]

We use 99% graphite electrodes. Even though we use sucker systems, our whole shop is black. The floor, the shelfs, all the filter mats from the machines are black within a month or so too.

[@theskofily]

@@DancingMachine1 and what abut your health??

[@DancingMachine1]

@@theskofily Good question. I've been trying to gather info on that topic quite a few times over the years. All I know is that graphite itself is not toxic or harmful. When you are breathing in graphite as very fine dust every day though, it might obviously be not too good for your lungs. Additionally, that stuff might not always be pure graphite. It can be contaminated. I don't know the exact manufacturing process. Bottom line: Don't work in a shop that uses graphite if you have other options

[@theskofily]

@@DancingMachine1 I have worked and still work in my own shop for 16 years we mainly deal with injection mold making We working with copper only , I used to work alot on ouer EDM machines In 2020 I got long cancer stage 4 (I was only 37 years old) I'm sure that the use of the dialectic fluid and othe vapor material that we used n our shop donate to my situation

[@DancingMachine1]

@@theskofily This is sad to hear and really gets me thinking. I hope you are doing well today. I wish you all the best!

[@markrichardson239]

Nice headstone. What did that set you back, $20,000.00? My observations are: Possibly graphite roughing and copper finish. If needed. Face cutting as you advised in normal production. Flip trode and burn what was trailing edge, utilize both faces. Thank you so much for sharing this! Mark

[@Sunil_patil6569]

Which material fast wear out in edm process, most people think graphite material fast wear out than copper.

[@williamlind2843]

I wire cut all my endmills etc. Takes 5 minutes for a 3/4 endmill.

[@warrior69fox]

Even when I need to get those super fine finishes on parts most the time I will rough and semi finish the features with graphite then go in and finish it off with a copper or copper tungsten electrode in order to get the best of both worlds as far as burn speed and surface finish

[@jaredjared8347]

Bro! STOP SAYING COPPER! You are burning with copper tungsten, not just copper. HUGE difference. People use copper, graphite, and copper tungsten because they each have pros and cons. Copper is not the same as COPPER TUNGSTEN.

[@gerrybailey2844]

How do you program your EDM's?....manually?

[@2107isalive]

there is nothing to program ;)

[@aftaev]

What kind of roughness can you get on EDM ?

[@DancingMachine1]

You can get down to VDI 12 (Ra 0.4µm) and even finer on modern machines with good settings.

[@aftaev]

@@DancingMachine1 I watch a lot of videos. Read manual. To get Ra above 0.4, you need to enable the Orbit option. This is the movement of the XY electrode a short distance.

[@DancingMachine1]

@@aftaev Yes. The Orbital option is standard on any EDM machine, even the old ones. I use it everytime so that after roughing I can take the finishing electrode, sink to target Z height without touching the side walls, and then orbit. It is faster this way.

[@aftaev]

@@DancingMachine1 I have an old EDM machine. It does not have an Orbit option. I want to understand what kind of roughness can be obtained with Orbit and without Orbit . Thank you.

[@DancingMachine1]

@@aftaev What is the name and model of your machine? Edit: Alright I see your EDM in your youtube videos. You dont necessarily need orbital function for a fine surface. You could just test it out. Take a surface ground piece of steel and a flat copper electrode, use the lowest generator settings that work on your machine and see what the surface looks like. Take a EDM surface gauge and compare the surface. Then you will know what you can do with your machine. Greetings

[@selfawareness369]

Create your own custom electrodes by using HHO gas to melt different metals together to form alloys that may have better erosion resistance qualities.

[@ronmurphy9819]

Wey out of my price range.