Machining of hard metals with sparking
Hard metal components need to be machined with high precision. When it comes to machining hard metals, EDM stands out as a method:
Using wire EDM and EDM technology, Imenco can deliver complex shapes – even in hard metals that are challenging for more traditional machining.
Typical components moulded with sparking
EDM is often used to produce hard metal components. For example:
- Gears – especially small or precision gears, e.g. in hardened steel.
- Moulding tools – including moulds and punching tools with complex cavities
- Valve parts – for oil and gas, often in corrosion-resistant superalloys
- Turbine blades – and associated attachments in materials such as Inconel
- Wedge tracks and sports profiles – with exact fit requirements
- Hydraulic components – requiring high density and low tolerance deviation
- Injector parts and nozzle systems – where surface finish and precision are critical
- Wear parts in the process industry – that must withstand extreme temperatures and pressures
High precision
EDM allows for extremely high accuracy machining, often with very tight tolerances. This makes the technology ideal for components where precision is crucial. Unlike traditional methods, the process is not affected by heat input or mechanical loads that add energy to the material during machining.
Stable production regardless of material hardness
EDM is a non-contact process, making it independent of the hardness of the material. This means that methods such as wire EDM and die EDM can be used to process hardened steel, titanium and Inconel, Duplex, Super Duplex with the same stability and control as softer metals.
Wire mesh moulding vs. countersunk moulding
Countersunk spark
Spark erosion or diesinking EDM is a process that uses electrical sparks to erode material from a workpiece. Unlike wire sparking, where a wire is used as an electrode, diesinking uses a shaped electrode that is customised to the desired contour or shape to be created in the workpiece.
Read more about vertical moulding here.
Wire spark
Wire EDM uses a thin, electrically conductive wire – preferably in the form of a Ø0.25mm coated brass wire – as a tool for cutting or shaping metal. The wire moves through the workpiece without touching it directly. Instead, small sparks are generated between the wire and the workpiece, removing material point by point. The process takes place in a water bath, where water is deionised to provide the right conductivity.
Read more about wire spark here.
Please contact our sparking sales manager, Laila Salte ([email protected]) if you have any questions.
