Advancements in the aerospace industry increased the need for precision machining that can handle complex part designs. Critical aerospace applications require safe, uniform, and high-performance components. Traditional computer numerical control (CNC) milling, turning, and other machining techniques can be inadequate for generating the necessary accuracy and complexity in parts ranging from housings with square corners to hexagon bolts or other parts with unusual configurations.
Wire electrical discharge machining (EDM), however, is an ideal solution for metal fabrication in the aerospace industry. EDM is a subtractive manufacturing technique that uses a thin, electrically conductive metal wire to create electrothermal energy. The resulting heat produces an electrical spark that’s sufficient for quickly creating high-precision cuts through a metal workpiece without requiring any pressure application.
Unlike traditional machining processes, there’s no physical contact between the cutting tool and the workpiece, and wire EDM doesn’t typically require secondary finishing services. It’s compatible with a variety of metals that are common in aerospace industry components. This cost-effective machining method works well on aluminum, steel, copper, bronze, brass, titanium, and Inconel, as well as other hard, exotic, and electrically conductive metals.
Wire EDM has consistent accuracy capable of meeting the aerospace industry’s high standards. This blog will explore the advantages of wire EDM and why it’s a valuable choice for machining rugged aerospace components.
