Wire EDM Services
Elimold is a premier wire-cut EDM outsource supplier and provider of wire EDM services. Our team partners with a broad cross section of industries to supply high-precision prototypes, medium-volume runs, and long-term, high-volume EDM component production services.
Trusted, Professional Wire EDM Services
If you need reliable and efficient wire EDM services, contact our team. Elimold has a full EDM department that enables us to produce mold components with tight tolerances. With our multiple machines, we can handle a wide variety of parts and produce them in the quantities you need. We have the ability to provide custom wire EDM work from one piece to thousands of pieces, and we hold each job to the highest quality standards.
At Elimold, we are a full project partner, so you can enjoy premium custom metal parts manufactured to your exact specifications. Our start-to-finish support includes metal stamping (our specialty) and ancillary services such as fabrication, tooling, wire EDM, and even powder coating to complete your project from a single source. This saves you time and money and ensures your success with exceptional quality. Our full EDM department can produce unmatched parts with tight tolerances and in sufficient quantities to meet your stocking needs.
Wire EDM Service Capabilities
- Wire EDM can cut to tolerances up to +/- .0001.
- We can provide wire diameters of 0.006″, 0.008″, 0.010″, 0.012″.
- We offer wire EDM services with a wide table travel of up to 24″ x 24″.
- The cutting head “Z-axis” height can reach 24″.
- We offer wire EDM services capable of tapered cuts up to 45 degrees. This is dependent on the height of the workpiece.
- We utilize a variety of CAM software to help us increase adaptability to imported drawings, files or parts.
Types of EDM
Fine Wire EDM
Sinker EDM Machining
EDM Hole Drilling
Fine Hole EDM Drilling
Advantages of Wire EDM
Compared to other precision metal cutting processes, wire EDM has many advantages:
- No custom tooling required – delivery times are short
- No cutting forces present – virtually no burrs generated
- Workpiece material hardness does not affect cutting speed
- Improved surface finishes – no additional finishing or polishing needed
- Tools & metal parts are machined after heat treatment – dimensional accuracy is maintained
- Highly repeatable with no deformation
- Ability to stack, string & nest multiple parts
- Ideal for delicate & complex parts
- Tight tolerances & precise fits
- Small corners & radii
- Narrow slots & thin walls
Wire EDM cutting is ideal when the workpiece material doesn’t lend itself to conventional CNC machining, for example hardened tool steels and exotic materials.
Wire EDM Materials
Our wire EDM cutting capabilities include many difficult-to-machine conductive metals and alloys including:
- Tool steels
- Stainless steels
- Hardened steels
- High-speed steels
- Carbon steel
- High-speed cobalt
- Carbide
- Titanium
- Inconel
- Hastelloy
- Tungsten
- Aluminum
- Brass
- Bronze
- Copper
- Nickel
- Magnesium
- Molybdenum
Wire cutting surface treatment
The finish option with the quickest turnaround. Parts are left with visible tool marks and potentially sharp edges and burrs, which can be removed upon request. Surface finish is comparable to 125 uin Ra finish.
The part surface is left with a smooth, matte appearance.
This is a batch-based process that tumbles vibrating media to remove sharp edges and burrs on machined parts. Tumbling can remove machine marks on exterior surfaces. Parts over 8” may require a manual review.
Type II (MIL-A-8625, Type II) creates a corrosion-resistant finish. Parts can be anodized in different colors—clear, black, red, and gold are most common—and is usually associated with aluminum. Type III (MIL-A-8625, Type III, Class 1/2 “hardcoat”) is thicker and creates a wear-resistant layer in addition to the corrosion resistance seen with Type II.
A surface finish for titanium per AMS-2488 Type 2 specification. Also called Tiodize, this finish increases fatigue strength and the wear resistance of a part. Titanium anodized parts are common in aerospace and medical device manufacturing. Non-pigmented titanium anodize finishes will dull shine.
A hard coat anodize process that embeds PTFE to create a self-lubricating, dry contact surface with Type 3 hard coat’s protective properties. This finish can be used on aluminum alloys or titanium and increases the service life of the product. This finish conforms to the AMS-2482 Type 1 Hard Coat Anodizing with Teflon (Non-Dyed).
Provides corrosion resistance and good conductivity properties. Can be used as a base for paint. Can leave surface yellow/gold. Adds very little thickness, about 0.00001”-0.00004”. Chem film will conform to MIL-DTL-5541, TYPE I/II.
Improves corrosion resistance for 200 and 300 series and precipitation hardened corrosion-resistant steels. Thickness is negligible, about 0.0000001”. Conforms to ASTM A967, AMS-QQ-P-35, MIL-STD-171, ASTM A380, or AMS 2700.
This is a process where powdered paint is sprayed onto a part that is then baked in an oven. This creates a strong, wear- and corrosion-resistant layer that is more durable than standard painting methods. A wide variety of colors are available to create the desired aesthetic.
An electrochemical process cleans steel parts to reduce corrosion and improve appearance, by making the metal brighter. Removes about 0.0001”-0.0025” of the metal. Conforms to ASTM B912-02.
Provides uniform nickel coating which offers protection from corrosion, oxidation, and wear on irregular surfaces. The finished part will be brighter. Thickness starts at .0001”. Conforms to MIL-C-26074.
Silver offers high solderability and electrical conductivity but is susceptible to tarnish. Conforms to AMS QQ-S-365D. Thickness is about 0.00002” – 0.0003.”
Gold Plating provides good corrosion and tarnish resistance with excellent solderability. Default application specification is MIL-G-45204 and ASTM B488, CLASS 00, 0, OR 1. Thickness is about 0.00002″ – 0.00005.”
Provides uniform zinc coating which offers protection from corrosion, oxidation, and wear on irregular surfaces. Conforms to ASTM B633-15.
Ready to get started on your wire EDM machining project?
Elimold’s experience, expertise, and advanced technology allow us to complete projects that other manufacturers thought were impossible, exceeding expectations in scope, specifications, and timelines. Our wire EDM services are ITAR registered, ISO and NIST compliant, and include custom gear cutting, spline cutting, mold making, custom prototyping, and more.
What Is Wire EDM, and How Does It Work?
Machining conductive materials with electrified wire, delivering ultra-high tolerance, precision parts—efficiently and accurately.
Wire Electrical Discharge Machining (EDM) is a non-contact, force-free subtractive industrial CNC tooling process for electrically-conductive materials like metals, carbides, alloys, and graphite. The target material to be cut is submerged in dielectric fluid while an electrically charged single strand wire electrode literally melts or vaporizes the workpiece into the desired shape. Precisely engineered fixtures holds the workpiece in place as the wire traces the CNC controlled pattern and the deionized water flushes away the melt.
The electrode never actually contacts the workpiece. The electric current is run through the wire, creating an electrical spark of intense heat (8000-12000°C). The dielectric fluid flushes away the melt while cooling the material and preventing the debris from adhering to the workpiece. The result is a smooth, burr-free cut requiring no secondary machining.
Wire EDM Applications
Our engineers and machinists have extensive knowledge of optimal EDM machining practices and materials as they apply to many different industries and applications, including but not limited to:
- Medical machining
- Power generation
- Robotics
- Cutting tools
- Automotive
- Additive manufacturing
- Machine parts
- Extrusion dies
- Matched metal tooling
- Progressive & fine blanking tooling
Medical EDM Parts Manufacturing
Medical technology is advancing by leaps and bounds, requiring the CNC industry to advance right alongside it. Manufacturers producing medical devices, implants, and surgical components of micron sizes or with intricate details choose wire EDM to get the job done right. Capable of cutting a multitude of materials – including titanium, stainless steel, copper, aluminum, Inconel, Kovar, carbide and more – wire EDM is preferred over other machining techniques for its ability to quickly produce medical components with repeatable accuracy and measurable results. If you’re looking for a machine shop offering wire EDM, before wasting money and time, make sure they can actually meet your needs. The proper equipment is important but qualified, experienced CNC programmers and engineers are a must when working on delicate medical products.
Contact Us to Learn More About Our EDM Machining Services
Elimold understands that the quality of your finished product depends on the quality of the components you use, and we are committed to providing you with parts that meet your exact requirements, delivered on time and on budget. Contact us today to learn how Elimold’s full range of precision metal fabrication and wire EDM services can help you solve your manufacturing challenges.