The Complexity of EDM drill & the 4th axis EDM

Modern precision engineering has brought about several innovations. Prominent among these, of course, are the Computer Numerical Control or CNC machines. These are used for milling and turning operations. As being a Leading precision engineers in the US, Precision Products Inc (PPI) has a wide range of CNC machines that also includes machines for high speed hard milling and multitasking operations. Yet another important innovation is that of Electrical Discharge Machining (EDM), one of the most accurate manufacturing processes available today. It is because of such EDM machines, which also include the capability of 4^th axis EDM and the EDM drill that is needed for precision drilling of micronic holes, that PPI has been able to meet the demands of customers that include jet turbine fuel systems and the textiles industry.

EDM is not only one of the most accurate among manufacturing processes but is also quite affordable and very desirable especially when either low counts or high accuracy is required. The EDM drill (“Hole Popper”) is one of the specific types of the EDM. The EDM drill provides the ability to drill pilot holes through heat treated materials and carbide. This form of drilling is especially useful in selected tasks such as the drilling of turbine blades for internal cooling in the high-pressure turbine. Small hole EDM is also used to create microscopic orifices for fuel system components among others tasks.

The 4^th axis EDM, on the other hand, is used to create smooth and straight drills. This results in superior finish and is a technique that can be used for reverse engineering. PPI has three Charmilles wire EDM machines and one EDM current drilling machine. All EDM machines have 4^th axis capabilities. This naturally gives an additional range of machining ability to make parts that are not normally associated with EDM.