Conductive materials after harden
Conductive steels, copper alloys and other suitable grades can be reviewed in the required condition, including hardened stock. Grade and condition are confirmed for the route.
Precision Wire EDM Machining Services
Wire electrical discharge machining cuts suitable conductive material without a rotating cutter. Review profiles, narrow slots and hardened stock together with wire-entry access, corner radius and surface requirements.
Wire EDM proof points
Taper, slots, and sharp internals
The wire has a finite diameter and discharge gap. Confirm the required internal radius, taper, cut height and wire-entry or start-hole access through DFM.
Recast and tolerance control
About ±0.01 mm is an existing process reference; selected critical features may be reviewed to ±0.005 mm. Confirm the feature, material and inspection scope through DFM.
What we provide
Wire EDM uses a controlled electrical discharge between a wire and suitable conductive stock. It can complement turning or milling for profiles, through-slots and hardened features that are difficult to produce with a rotating cutter.
Review how the wire enters and exits the geometry, how the part is supported, and the finite internal radius needed by the cut. Thickness, taper, material condition, skim passes and surface requirements affect the route. Coordinate heat treatment, upstream machining and final sizing where the drawing requires them.
For an enclosed through-profile, identify where a start hole may be placed and any faces where an entry or exit witness would affect function. Show the cut direction and the final profile relative to its locating datums. The wire needs an accessible path through the stock; threading and support must be considered alongside the shape of the finished opening.
Process flow
RFQ / CAD review
Share the current part requirements and available STEP model / marked PDF. Identify the revision, material, quantity and open questions for review.
DFM
We confirm conductivity, start-hole needs, wire access, skim strategy, and which limits need multi-pass cutting.
Material & process planning
Stock condition, fixture plan, and whether upstream CNC roughing should precede EDM finish.
Machining
Multi-pass skim cutting with controlled flush and wire tension for geometry and surface integrity.
Inspection
Dimensional checks per drawing — ZEISS CMM, optical comparison, and hand tools as required.
Shipping
Protected packaging; finishing and assembly available when ordered as turnkey.
Wire EDM specifications
| Item | Capability |
|---|---|
| Process | Wire electrical discharge machining (WEDM); multi-pass skim cutting |
| Materials | Conductive metals including hardened tool steels, stainless, titanium, tungsten carbide, copper, brass, aluminum — confirm grade via DFM |
| Typical tolerance | About ±0.01 mm on typical features; ±0.005 mm on critical features where specified — confirmed via DFM / per drawing |
| Workpiece envelope (ref.) | Share stock size, cut height, part weight and clamping/entry requirements. Confirm the usable machine and fixture envelope for the proposed route before ordering. |
| Surface / wire | Specify the minimum internal radius, taper, surface texture and any recast-layer or surface-integrity acceptance. Wire size and skim strategy are confirmed for the feature. |
| File formats | STEP (.step / .stp) and a marked PDF recommended. The RFQ page lists direct upload formats; agree delivery of other formats and assembly dependencies before sending. |
| Inspection options | ZEISS CMM and optical comparators at the authorized manufacturing facility; reports on request; scope per drawing and agreed plan |
Materials and surface finishes
Steel CNC machining
Tool and alloy steels often finished or profiled after harden.
Copper CNC machining
Copper and brass electrodes, fittings, and conductive profiles.
Aluminum CNC machining
Aluminum when conductivity and geometry favor EDM over milling.
CNC materials guide
Compare material grades, supplied condition and functional requirements before confirming the EDM route.
CNC surface finishes
Post-EDM finishing options when the PO calls for turnkey delivery.
Surface integrity and edge definition
Define surface texture, edge condition, perpendicularity and any surface-integrity requirement on the drawing. Deep cuts, wire deflection, flushing and skim strategy require review for the material and cut height.
A process photograph cannot establish recast-layer condition, roughness or dimensional acceptance. Where these are functional, agree the evaluation method and required records before the quotation. See inspection scope and required reports.
Hardened alloys and in-process cutting
Conductive hard materials
Carbide, copper, and titanium-family parts where mechanical cutting is impractical after harden.
Skim cutting on mold steel
A wire-cutting process reference. The part’s taper, surface and inspection requirements determine the agreed production strategy.
Tolerance and quality
Limits are always per drawing and confirmed via DFM. Sub-0.005 mm as routine delivery on all features is not offered. Inspection at the authorized manufacturing facility uses ZEISS CMM, optical comparators, and calibrated hand tools according to the agreed plan — not an unconditional 100% CMM on every feature of every part. MTR documentation is available on request. Customer-specified FAI forms and drawing-characteristic coverage are available when specified and quoted. See CNC machining quality control.
Applications
Tooling and dies
Illustrative application. Hardened profiles, punches, and inserts where mechanical cutting is impractical.
Precision slots and internals
Illustrative application. Narrow slots, sharp internal corners, and deep cuts that milling tools cannot reach cleanly.
Multi-process components
Illustrative application. Milling or turning can prepare stock and datums for a later wire-cut profile; sequence and inspection are confirmed for the part.
Wire EDM FAQ
What tolerance can you achieve with Wire EDM?
Standard production tolerance is about ±0.01 mm on typical features. Critical features can be controlled to ±0.005 mm where specified on your drawing — confirmed via DFM before quoting.
When should I choose Wire EDM instead of CNC milling?
Prefer Wire EDM for intricate profiles, sharp internal corners, narrow slots, and hardened conductive materials. CNC milling is usually more efficient for bulk material removal on softer or annealed stock.
Do you machine hardened tool steel and tungsten carbide?
Yes. Because EDM uses electrical discharge rather than mechanical cutting force, it is effective on hardened steels and tungsten carbide when conductivity and geometry allow.
How do you verify dimensional accuracy?
At the authorized manufacturing facility, we use ZEISS CMM, optical comparators, and calibrated hand tools as appropriate to your drawing and agreed inspection scope. CMM reports are available on request.
Prepare a process-specific inquiry
- Material specification, supplied or hardened condition, stock size and cut height.
- Profile, slot, internal corner and taper requirements, plus wire-entry or start-hole access if constrained.
- Critical datums, surface texture and any edge or recast-layer acceptance requirement.
- Upstream machining, heat treatment, quantity, target delivery and inspection records.
Request a Quote with the available drawing and open route questions. With a complete RFQ, we typically respond within one business day; complex multi-process projects may take 1–2 business days.
Ready to start your CNC project?
Share the available drawing and project requirements. We review manufacturability, inspection and quotation scope before an order is confirmed.