Sähköpurkaustyöstökoneet

Sähköpurkaustyöstökoneet, commonly known as Electrical Discharge Machining (EDM) machines, are a manufacturing process that uses electrical discharges to remove material from a workpiece. This non-contact machining method is particularly effective for shaping hard materials that are difficult to machine with conventional tools, such as hardened steels, carbides, and exotic alloys. The process relies on a series of rapid electrical sparks or discharges that occur between an electrode and the workpiece. These sparks generate intense localized heat, melting and vaporizing small amounts of material. The electrode, which is often made of graphite or copper, is continuously fed towards the workpiece. A dielectric fluid, typically deionized water or oil, surrounds both the electrode and workpiece. This fluid acts as an insulator, preventing a continuous arc, and also flushes away the eroded particles, preventing short circuits and ensuring a clean cutting surface.

There are two primary types of EDM: die-sinking EDM (also known as conventional EDM or cavity sinking) and wire EDM. In die-sinking EDM, a shaped electrode is plunged into the workpiece to create a cavity or impression. Wire EDM uses a thin, continuously moving wire as the electrode to cut intricate shapes, profiles, and through-holes. EDM is highly precise, capable of achieving very fine surface finishes and tight tolerances, making it suitable for producing molds, dies, and complex components in industries like aerospace, automotive, and medical device manufacturing. The electrode wear in EDM is typically minimal, especially with graphite electrodes.