Electrical Discharge Machining

Project Name: Complex electrical discharge machining electrode for aerospace turbine manufacture

Industry Sector:
Aerospace

Client Requirement:
We were asked by our client to wire erode a complex shaped, copper electrode with a thickness of 1.25 mm and tolerance of +/- 20 microns (20 µm, 0.02mm). This was all set at an angle of 30°.

Type of Work:
Electrical Discharge Machining (EDM): Wire Erosion (WEDM), Sub-contract Wire Erosion, Sub-contract EDM Fast Hole Drilling

Work Carried Out:
A Sodick K1C, EDM fast hole drilling machine was used to produce a Ø 1.60 mm start hole through a 4” copper block angled at 30°, this resulted in a z-axis height of over 350 mm.

A Sodick AG600 wire erosion machine tool was then used to wire erode the electrode in one operation using one cut technology. You can see the finished electrode from the photographs included.

At Cheshire Wire Erosion we have invested in a range of state-of-the-art technology that enables us to complete challenging projects. In this instance, EDM of copper was safely and efficiently carried out using conventional processes and equipment. EDM is ideal for use when, as was the case with this project, a complex shaped copper electrode was required.

Similar components of varying dimensions have been and can be produced. Cheshire Wire Erosion have the expertise combined with the latest technology enabling us to produce components using the EDM process which are of the very best quality at a competitive price.