SERVICES
EDM & Wire-Cut Machining Service
Electrical discharge machining removes material with precision electrical sparks — the go-to process for hardened tool steel, sharp internal corners, deep ribs and fine details in molds and dies.
WHAT WE OFFER
What We Offer
Wire EDM
2D-profiled cuts through hardened steel and exotic alloys — punch components, inserts, strippers and intricate profiles.
- ✓±0.005 mm class accuracy
- ✓Hardened steel cutting
- ✓Sharp corners & fine radii
- ✓No burr, no tool force
Sinker EDM
3D cavity machining for mold cores and cavities — deep ribs, textured surfaces and complex geometry.
- ✓Complex cavity geometry
- ✓Mirror-finish capability
- ✓Texture & etching patterns
- ✓Deep rib machining
Small-Hole EDM
Precise small-diameter holes in hardened materials — cooling channels, vent holes and start holes.
- ✓0.1 mm class holes
- ✓High depth-to-diameter ratio
- ✓Hardened materials
- ✓Clean, accurate positioning
HOW IT WORKS
From Inquiry to Delivery
CAD/CAM & electrode planning
The feature is programmed from the 3D model. Sinker jobs include machining the graphite/copper electrode — on our CNC or wire EDM — before any burn.
Fixturing & alignment
The workpiece is clamped and located by touch-probe against the machine datum, so wire or electrode position matches the model.
Rough cut / rough burn
The bulk of the material is removed fast — wire on through-profiles, electrode on cavities. Roughing sets the shape; finish comes next.
Trim passes / finish burn
Wire parts get 2–4 trim passes to reach Ra 0.4 µm and ±0.005 mm accuracy; sinker cavities get finish burns for mirror or textured surfaces.
Inspection
Critical features are measured by CMM and surface finish is verified before the component moves to assembly or the mold-fitting bench.
CHALLENGES
Challenges This Service Solves
FAQ
EDM & Wire-Cut Machining Service — FAQ
What accuracy can wire EDM hold?
±0.005 mm positioning on our Sodick and Seibu wire machines, with trim passes holding final profile accuracy.
What is the smallest corner radius?
Wire EDM corners follow the wire radius; sinker EDM reaches internal radii down to R0.1 — near-vertical corners.
Can you EDM hardened steel?
Yes — that is the point. EDM works on any conductive material regardless of hardness, so we cut after heat treatment with no distortion.
What surface finish is possible?
Wire EDM: Ra 1.6 µm as-cut, ~0.4 µm with trim passes. Sinker: mirror finish with no pinholes for polished cavities.
How long does EDM take?
Small components run 4–9 min per part on wire; sinker burns depend on cavity size and finish — DFM gives you a real number at quoting.
Do you EDM parts other than molds?
Yes — hardened inserts, punches, gears, bearing rings, axles, cooling holes and any precision conductive component.
Q: What tolerances can EDM hold?
A: Wire and sinker EDM hold ±0.005 mm on machined features with surface finishes down to Ra 0.2 µm, making them the standard for hardened mold inserts and complex cavities.
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Wire EDM vs Sinker EDM: Which One Cuts Your Feature?
EDM Capability Benchmarks
Our EDM cell runs Sodick wire machines (9 Seibu + 4 Sodick) and sinker units for mold tooling — benchmarks below combine our spec sheet with First Mold's published EDM values.
| Capability | Wire EDM | Sinker / small-hole EDM |
|---|---|---|
| Positioning accuracy | ±0.005 mm class | ±0.005 mm class |
| Minimum corner radius | Wire radius (0.1–0.3 mm wire) | Internal radii down to R0.1, near-vertical |
| Surface finish | Ra 1.6 µm as-cut, ~0.4 µm with trim passes | Mirror finish, no pinholes |
| Smallest hole | Start holes via small-hole EDM | 0.1 mm class holes, high depth-to-diameter ratio |
| Workpiece hardness | Any conductive material — hardness irrelevant | Any conductive material — hardness irrelevant |
| Typical per-part burn time | 4–9 min depending on material (45# steel, bearing steel, alloy, carbon steel, gray cast iron) | Electrode-driven; longer for mirror & deep-rib work |
Materials We EDM
EDM works on anything conductive — hardness is irrelevant because the spark does the cutting, not the tool.
EDM Applications in Our Shop
Mold components
Cavity plates, core plates, slide cores, strippers, sprue bushes, guide pins and locating rings — the tooling that runs your parts.
Hardened inserts & punches
Wire-cut inserts, strippers and punches that must be made after heat treatment — no distortion, no burr.
Cooling & vent channels
Small-hole EDM (0.1 mm class) drills angled cooling channels, vent holes and wire start holes in hardened steel.
Automotive drivetrain parts
Car axles (45# steel, ~7 min), gear shafts (alloy steel, ~9 min), sprockets and spline shafts cut to profile.
Bearing industry
Bearing rings cut from bearing steel with no heat-affected zone — the spark removes material without force.
Construction machinery
Flanges and heavy sections in gray cast iron and carbon steel (First Mold benchmarks: 4–5 min per part).