Introduction to Electrical Discharge Machining | Learn to Burn
157,609
Published 2021-06-25
There are many different names for this subtractive manufacturing process: spark machining, spark eroding, die sinking... the list goes on and electrical discharge machining is considered a "non traditional" or "non conventional" machining process. This video, Introduction to Electrical Discharge Machining, will show you how, what, and why.
00:15 Introduction to Zero Tolerance and how they use electrical discharge machining to create their plastic injection molds.
2:14 Beginning the electrical discharge machining process of an intricate mold.
3:37 Using the electrode holder and how it works.
8:43 Continuing the electrical discharge machining process of an intricate mold.
11:24 Quick lesson about how the electrode and voltage create the spark and cut the metal.
13:31 No broken cutters with hardened steel and EDM.
14:01 Thank you and closing
Let us know in the comments any topics you want to see covered on our new series Everything EDM - Learn to Burn. Have questions? Drop them below!
Stay tuned for next month's episode that will talk all about wire EDM and fast hole EDM.
All Comments (20)
-
Just wanted to comment on the gracious footnote that Steve provides at 14:05 where he states "......so [if] somebody has taught you something in the past, ... I always recommend that you thank them, and continue growing to honor their input into your life". Given all the degenerate crap in the news, Steve's gesture was a humbling gift that made my day......thanks.
-
Thanks for watching!!
-
The best way to honor you mentors is to pass in what you have learned. I am a tool and diemaker of 40 years and I just really enjoyed your video, and your explanation of the over burn. I was trained in an old edm that yes we used super glue, on the carbon graphite and small c clamps and all kind of stuff, ah the good old days..π
-
Fascinating process.
-
I'm more of a fan of electrochemical milling: essentially reverse electroplating. Selective masking confines metal removal for etching graphics; a formed cathode can 'plunge-cut', leaving a hole with the same profile as the tool. Wire EDM is more precise, but tool configuration prevents making concavities on flat surfaces. ECM with a shaped cathode works very well for plunge-cuts and concave surfaces, but requires 100's of amps, high-pressure electrolyte pumps, cooling and rigid fixtures... EDM can plunge-cut, but the tool is consumed. I've used ECM and masking to make decorative designs (back-filling etched areas with silver-solder), roughing out the shape of knives (think terraced hill-sides) from steel billets.
-
Great video Steve! This is an amazing resource that you're creating for future EDM machinists. This sector of manufacturing definitely needs more light shed on it so I'm sure that many people within and outside of the industry will find your knowledge useful.
-
Sure I know what EDM is *untz untz untz*πΆπ΅π
-
How cool is that water bed coming up ...π
-
That is cool, I too run a Neuar and a Sodick Edm, just great to keep learning. Been doing it for four years.
-
Great information! Thank you!
-
Fascinating content since most don't see much EDM. Really want to see more of this kind of content, so thank you. ZT has some impressive machinery and EDM is magic for tool & die workloads. An inexpensive lapel mic will greatly improve the audio. Looking forward to the current and voltage info as well as the lifetime of the graphite electrodes.
-
Awesome videos. I run a couple a sodicks at my shop. Diffently alot to know on edm. Very fun job but can be stressfull, when you have a couple hundred electrodes to run for a job.
-
Very usefull πwaiting for 2nd session of edm keep it goingπ
-
I subscribed you before two minutes in your video
-
Thank you for this video !!
-
I learned this before and this video is helpfulβ€
-
Have always found the process interesting, always wanted to learn more about the sinker process. Worked in a mold shop for only 4 months, and only saw them run the sinkers they had twice the entire time I was there. But they have wire EDM and hole popper EDM where I'm at now.
-
I learned to burn on a manual Eastco Sparkatron in 89 then moved up to C axis Charmilles Roboform die sinkers. Big fan of Errowa tooling. Channel to launch Summer 2022.
-
Imagine how strong u could make parts out with this method there's no real heat except the area its decomposing ... U could make perfect pulleys . crankshafts. U can run this at any axis...
