Wire EDM Basics - Continuing Education

This video is part of our continuing education series that details some of the services we offer at Wisconsin Metal Parts. Dave Holzer, a Journeyman Tool and Die Maker and the Sales and Marketing Manager at Wisconsin Metal Parts, explains the basics of Wire EDM and shows some examples of the work that is made possible by this machining system!

[@t.d.mich.7064]

I burned a 3 " thick piece of aluminum once that appeared as the number 1 on the top guide, while the bottom guide was cutting the number 2. Quite the transition! Wire EDM has totally changed the stamping die industry. It made it possible for shop owners to dumb down the trade. Tool and Die makers now days don't recieve the knowledge transfer they used to.

[@WisconsinMetalParts]

It really is a powerful tool that has assisted our company in many ways, especially when making progressive dies!

[@goldcoasttime]

@@WisconsinMetalParts can one machine drill the holes then cut the shape

[@DieselRamcharger]

yeah everyone is getting dumber thats why everything we build is becoming more advanced.....the fact is the knowledge that you value is worthless in the current time.

[@Pandamonium626]

Wire EDM is by far the coolest machine I've seen in the shop I work in. I don't run one but it's the one I'd like to learn the most.

[@gragagrags]

Thank you! This video helped me for an exam I had on wire EDM!

[@MrBen527]

So cool! I never new of this process before!

[@keithgwyn9195]

Thank you for this video, it was very educational. I sell aluminum and stainless steel to shops like your, so I have hundreds, if not thousands of wire EDM machines. But I could never understand exactly what was going on under the water!

[@bitshtannicajohnson6957]

*Great video & great explanation. Thanks for not talking down to the viewer like most of the hosts of manufacturing and machining videos!*

[@WisconsinMetalParts]

Thank you! We are glad you found the video helpful

[@looppp]

Very cool. Thank you.

[@45coopaloop]

Super freaking cool!

[@seed_of_the_woman]

thanks, dave! 👑 love, david

[@Patchworkdaddy007]

Thanks for this video!👍🇩🇪

[@WisconsinMetalParts]

We are glad you enjoyed it!

[@walteradams2439]

I always thought a half a thou was as tight as things could get. 50 mil tolerance blows my mind....

[@TheExplosiveGuy]

I've worked on parts measured in microns, needless to say things can get frustrating. Had a few parts that required a microscope and a special computerized table (imagine a really tiny milling machine with a camera in place of a cutter, and the part goes on the table, then you set the camera crosshair over a datum feature and zero the software, then move the table to the features you want to measure with the feed handles, except the table only has one inch of XY travel and is graduated in microns) to measure them. You should see some of the nano structures scientists have made, they can literally print parts atom by atom now, though it's quite a laborious process. Humans have come a long way in the field of precision...

[@mathieufregeau6454]

any advice or comments on how to treat or dispose of the deionized water?

[@beer1for2break3fast4]

Is the wire unspooling throughout the job or the same length of wire is used until completion then a new length spooled in for the next job?

[@profmanu6990]

thank you!

[@atulgohil]

Hi you guys are great! Sir! you did mention carbide in this video. I would like to know if it cuts through poly crystal diamond (PCD) insert like the one we use for cutting in cnc machines.

[@aaronbailey8050]

Only metal

[@SuperAWaC]

You can WEDM PCD inserts, since you aren't cutting the PCD itself but the cobalt binder. The diamond crystals just fall out. Same with tungsten carbide.

[@HiBye-kl5bq]

Hi sir, may I know how to centering the wire start hole after drill? thank you

[@prithvishetty6938]

Thank you

[@shikshajaiswal5729]

Does it require any program learning?

[@timvanmonero2720]

what does it cost to cut a piece like you hold in your hand at 2:30 , if i give you the metal?

[@thelazygamer3788]

How do you get the natural bend out of the wire off the spool. To get those kinds of tolerances even the smallest bend would have an impact

[@WisconsinMetalParts]

That is a great question. Through a series of rollers, the machine has the ability to vary the tension on the wire and can easily pull it straight to make accurate cuts. Thanks for your reply.

[@motogeee510]

I so want to invest in this . It is so going to change everything in the crafting world an etc.

[@jefffrodermann5348]

Hello. Which machines/processes does WMP use for inspection of EDM parts? I'm a CMM programmer, and I utilize a Zeiss Prismo Ultra. It has proven extremely reliable for close toleranced parts, up to .00005".

[@WisconsinMetalParts]

Jeff, while we do utilize our CMM’s at times for Wire EDM inspection, most of our work is checked using gage blocks, gage pins and other measuring devices to facilitate inspection while parts are still in the machine.

[@aaronbailey8050]

So it can only do 2 dimensional patterns on 3 dimensionalnparts

[@SylwesterKogowski]

Amazing

[@warrior4christ777]

Thanks ,after four channels i can explain it to my wife now

[@mfarooqiqbal]

Hello sir, nice video. Can we use alternate dielectric fluid instead of water with this wire EDM? And secondly here wire is being used as tool, can other tools be used instead of wire in this machine?

[@Patchworkdaddy007]

Absolutely NO!

[@JohnDoe-rx3vn]

There are EDM processes that use EDM "punches" or tools instead of wire. Anything conductive would work as a tool.

[@artcraft2893]

So there is possible to cut graphite? And other non metallic conductive things?

[@WisconsinMetalParts]

Yes, certain grades of graphite are conductive and can be cut using the WEDM method.

[@yaacoubserhanhanna4918]

What if you work on metal piece without hardening it first? Does it affect the precision?

[@WisconsinMetalParts]

The precision of a part cut using WEDM will not matter if the material is hardened or still soft. However, if you harden the finished part after WEDM you may find changes in the precision. Thanks for asking!

[@himushkin606]

Tell me please, does the wire feed while working or stops and feed and continue after? And if it deos feed while working, it does closed loop?

[@WisconsinMetalParts]

Thank you for your question! The wire is a continuous feed while machining. The wire is a one-time use and gets recycled after machining.

[@bakermulindwa8279]

This is new technology especially in my country but I would like to learn much about it but how can I get my hands on?

[@Inertia888]

Does this work with aluminum? Or if not, what material can be used for a heat sink if cut with EDM?

[@evilutionltd]

It's a bit more tricky and requires more flushing but it can be EDM cut fine.

[@Inertia888]

@@evilutionltd cool, thank you. this is good to know about.

[@250smacks]

DIY ECM not EDM question, is it possible with a 3d printed copper plated electrode to machine a handgun slide?

[@freetobe3]

Not really, a standard milling machine would to more. Wire edm is for end to end straight lines whilst a handgun slide would have too many areas that would not allow the wire to go through.

[@peterxyz3541]

This intrigued me. I fear the price for this service

[@Passco666]

Yeah we let make extrusion nozzle by this way.. one 30cm peace cost App 5000eur

[@manikardey404]

how to goes through wire?

[@TS-1267]

... HEY! Yourself Dave... Im Ready To Learn... Cheers For The Enjoyment... 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🖖🤔

[@iampranta]

Can you please suggest some names of the fluids that we can use in Wire EDM instead of deinonized water???

[@WisconsinMetalParts]

I would suggest getting in touch with your machine manufacturer to see what is possible.

[@iampranta]

@@WisconsinMetalParts Actually I'm an undergraduate student, this is for my final year research purposes.

[@anatoliyp1881]

@@iampranta это должен быть диэлектрик, не проводящий электричество, позволящий охлаждать место обработки, вымывать продукты при обработке. В проволочной электроэрозии на AGIE используется демилиризованная вода или дистилированная, у друих фирм масло с присадками, быть может рабочая жидкость на основе керосина с присадками- но это для погружных станков.

[@iampranta]

@@anatoliyp1881 thank you

[@stormycatmink]

Yeah, that's cool and all, but can you do metric? Heard a lot of imperial units in there.

[@vorpalinferno9711]

Can you make Formula 1 engine parts using this?

[@yonghuichua1590]

Sir, how can I make a snow flake punch without any remnant?

[@Ericevijayohiani]

With this wire EDM machine, do we still need a 3d printer metal machine

[@krismoberson526]

7:35 COPPER WIRE?

[@jimmy4051]

does graphite work with edm?

[@petrajankovic6177]

YES.

[@areavirtual3d]

Could you fit a Wire EDM in a battle bot?

[@cvspvr]

it'd probably be too slow for combat

[@MrTexaspete30]

Like a real life lights Saber but infinitesimally more precise.

[@akbaraasi5331]

Good

[@user-ch1ep4hi7q]

thx

[@altooq1]

hi, is there any school that teach this technology?

[@WisconsinMetalParts]

Where are you located?

[@mfrtech3857]

It's electric discharge Machining chief

[@johnanderson8367]

Nice video. I run 11 WEDM's at once at my work place. You guys looking for help?

[@WisconsinMetalParts]

Thank you for your interest John! Please visit our employment page and fill out an application: wisconsinmetalpartsinc.ninjagig.com/

[@crazycatcarnt]

Silicon?

[@Reman1975]

Strange. I thought wire EDM worked like a scaled down, but seriously over powered mig welder. Kind of like feeding the wire onto the surface of the workpiece to zap a tiny little trench of erosion craters, then going around again, zapping the bottom of those craters to get a little deeper. I didn't realise it could work like a high tech hot wire cutter that spark erodes along the entire depth of cut in one pass.

[@2xKTfc]

In a way, yeah, or like a plasma gouger - melt the material and carry away the melt pool before any part of the electrode can deposit. Just a whole lot more precise, haha.

[@user-xv7fm3gz9x]

Habe früher an Draht-und Senkerodier-Maschinen gearbeitet.

[@hahagagagaga4710]

Its not laser .??🤨🤯

[@laprepper]

Are you all open to new clients?

[@WisconsinMetalParts]

Absolutely! Visit our website at wisconsinmetalparts.com and click on "Request a Quote"

[@bharatpanchal1804]

Rate

[@Freekniggers]

Cost effective=$1,000,000

[@angelaakers4036]

.010" human hair? Maybe dude should mic a hair someday. Coarse Black and Red is approx .003", and thinner from there

[@sunderkumar3506]

👌OK. Job. Punch. 100.Z..Mm.. speed

[@jenpopovich2805]

mine craft alien edm machine

[@lastisfirst5618]

Arc gouging 10.0

[@hulkingcolosussklunnulk2501]

Roger mudflood university

[@Tadesan]

Dave Hoser? oh geeze...