What is Electric Discharge Machining (EDM)?
History of Wire EDM
Electrical discharge machining traces back to early discoveries around the erosive effect of electrical discharges, later becoming a controlled manufacturing process for cutting conductive materials with precision. Wire EDM advanced that concept by using a continuously fed wire electrode to cut accurate profiles, tapers, punches, dies, and complex part features without applying the cutting forces associated with conventional machining.
Seibu EDM is part of SEIBU ELECTRIC & MACHINERY CO., LTD., headquartered in Japan. Seibu has a long history in electrical machinery and precision manufacturing, and in 1972 Seibu introduced the world's first CNC Wire EDM machine. Today, Seibu Wire EDM technology remains an important part of Peak Machine Sales' EDM offering for manufacturers that need accuracy, reliability, and high-quality Japanese-built machine tools.
What is Electric Discharge Machining (EDM)?
Electrical discharge machining, commonly called EDM, is a precision manufacturing process that removes material from an electrically conductive workpiece using controlled electrical sparks. Instead of cutting with mechanical force, EDM uses an electrode, a power supply, and dielectric fluid to erode material in a highly controlled way, making it useful for hard metals, intricate profiles, fine details, and features that can be difficult to machine conventionally.
Wire EDM uses a continuously fed wire electrode to cut through a part along a programmed path, much like a highly precise contouring process. Sinker EDM, also known as ram EDM or die-sinking EDM, uses a shaped electrode to burn cavities, forms, ribs, and detailed geometry into the workpiece. Hole drilling EDM is used to produce small, accurate holes, including start holes for Wire EDM work.
Types of EDM Machines
Wire EDM
Wire EDM uses a thin wire electrode and dielectric fluid to cut precise profiles through conductive materials. It is commonly used for punches, dies, inserts, production tooling, aerospace parts, medical components, and accurate tapered or complex shapes.
Sinker EDM
Sinker EDM uses a shaped electrode to create cavities and detailed forms in conductive materials. It is commonly used for mold work, blind cavities, ribs, fine details, and geometries that are difficult to mill directly.
Driller EDM
EDM hole drilling produces small, precise holes in conductive materials and is often used for start holes, cooling holes, vent holes, and other small-diameter features.
