Start holes in carbide: small hole drill vs. die-sink EDM with Fine Drill capability

This handy glossary of milling terms will help you better understand the technology and learn what to look for when purchasing a milling machine.

The trend to use EDM for parts production has several causes: The EDM cutting process has improved dramatically with higher speeds; Automation has significantly cutting labor content; and it's now possible to man one shift and cut on three.

What is EDM? This article explains the principles, components, and processes behind both wire and die-sinking EDM.

The time is perfect for investing in new equipment and the only real question is which technologies will provide the greatest benefit. For most manufacturers, there is great potential in 5-axis technology, for both milling and EDM.

Many companies require that a machine tool be certified periodically to assure accuracy. By taking the following actions, you can check for positional and reversal errors on your systems.

Sinking thin deep ribs in mold cavities can sometimes be difficult, since flushing deteriorates proportionately with depth in most cases. There are a few “tricks” that can apply to this application.

Upon inspection of an eroded cavity, it is found that the cavity is larger than expected. What are the causes and what can be done?

When No-core cutting small cavities it is often difficult to determine how much material to leave after the no-core cut main cut to trim for correct size. By taking the following actions, this task should be easy.

Because sometimes the material being cut deviates from the material used by the machine manufacturer to create the standard technology, you may need to establish a procedure for verifying size: .

Copper Alloy metals are generally considered difficult to erode. The copper content generally leads to increased electrode wear and slow cutting speeds. To counter these effects, follow these actions.

While eroding small titanium workpieces with intermittent surfaces, it is possible for the material to turn blue around the cutting zone. Although the bluing is largely aesthetic, it can be reduced or eliminated by taking the following actions:

When cutting off a punch, it usually falls and shorts out on block, causing burn marks on the side of the punch surface. What can be done to secure the punch for cut-off when "glue stops" aren't possible or practical?

Inspection of workpiece indicated visible lines on surface. What causes them and what action can be taken?

What machine tool innovations are making a difference for the medical industry?