A spotlight on Wire EDM at CBE+.
Wire EDM is a relatively new offering at CBE+. In the summer of 2021, the business acquired new machinery and skilled team members from aerospace industry leaders Aerodyn. The investment comprises three key machines – a Mitsubishi MV2400S and two Mitsubishi FX20.
Our Marketing team got the chance to sit down with Abigail Davis, Skilled Wire EDM Machinist, to find out more about the process and the benefits of using it.
Abigail: The core benefits of using Wire Electro Discharge Machining over conventional machining is its ability to cut through even the toughest (conductive) materials with incredibly high precision. This is regardless of material density or fragility which makes it an incredibly cost-effective method of cutting obscure materials that would otherwise be subject to tooling wear and workpiece distortion from impact which the WEDM process eliminates. The process can also cut semi-conductive materials such as certain impregnated ceramics and diamond.
The parts created are naturally created without the worry of burrs or distortion to the workpiece which gives us the advantage of less workpiece processing time, using fewer resources such as time and money to create very high precision work.
Abigail: WEDM can be used for a multitude of different applications and can often compete with conventional machining in most cases. It is particularly advantageous in a situation where the material or application requires hardening. WEDM can still cut a workpiece post-hardening without the concern of distortion, this is especially invaluable if you are working to very tight tolerances.
The process lends itself to cutting complex and intricate shapes, so the application is incredibly useful in the creation of extrusion die forms and even moulds. It can also be used effectively in the case of prototyping as it is beneficial for cost effectively proving processes for development work before the stages of mass production. We have been proving work for high calibre clients for decades and have a lot of experience in bespoke WEDM projects in this field.
Abigail: WEDM and conventional machining can always be used in conjunction with one another, we are very fortunate in that we have such a fantastic array of conventional machines here at CBE+ as well as our WEDM department, that we can offer so many capabilities in-house that can be discussed with our Engineering team. If your project requires conventional machining generally but possesses a particular feature to an extremely tight tolerance and/or a specific finish, WEDM may be the perfect solution. One very good example of a cross-discipline project we have produced previously is a bespoke prototype gear that was machined from beginning to end in-house which utilised WEDM to create the intricate form to an extremely high tolerance and finish. The possibilities are absolutely endless when you combine WEDM with conventional machining.
We provide unmatched production capacity and turnaround times.
We have an extensive range of highly equipped in-house inspection and testing facilities.
We are introducing automated processes to our capabilities creating industry leading efficiencies.
We offer technical consultancy to develop and deliver exact procedures to meet your specific requirements
We have some of the largest plating tanks in Europe.
