Electrical discharge machining (EDM), also known as spark machining, spark eroding, die sinking, wire burning, or wire erosion, is a metal production method that involves the use of electrical discharges to achieve a desired shape (sparks). A series of quickly recurring current discharges between two electrodes separated by a dielectric liquid and subjected to an electric voltage remove material from the work piece. The tool-electrode, or simply the tool or electrode, is one of the electrodes, while the workpiece-electrode, or work piece, is the other. The tool and the work item must not make physical touch for the process to work.

When the voltage between the two electrodes is raised, the intensity of the electric field in the volume between the electrodes rises, forcing the liquid to dielectrically break down and resulting in an electric arc. Material is taken from the electrodes as a result. When the current stops (or stops, depending on the kind of generator), new liquid dielectric is pumped into the inter-electrode volume, allowing solid particles (debris) to be transported away and the dielectric’s insulating qualities to be restored.Flushing is the process of introducing new liquid dielectric into the inter-electrode volume. After a current flow, the voltage between the electrodes is restored to its pre-breakdown state, allowing a fresh liquid dielectric breakdown to occur, repeating the cycle.

Electrochemical Machining is frequently compared to EDM. The following are some of the benefits of EDM:

Machine intricate shapes that would be impossible to make with traditional cutting tools.

Extremely hard materials are machinable to extremely tight tolerances.

Where traditional cutting tools may harm the part due to excessive cutting tool pressure, very small work pieces can be machined.

Between the tool and the work piece, there is no direct touch. As a result, even the most delicate parts and fragile materials can be machined without visible deformation.

It is possible to achieve a decent surface finish; redundant finishing routes may be used to achieve a very good surface finish.

It is possible to make very small holes.

It’s possible to make tapered holes.

Internal contours and internal corners of pipes and containers down to R.001″.