Explanation: The low tensile strength of copper wire made it subject to wire breaks when too much tension was applied. Poor flushability was another problem, due to coppers high thermal conductivity. A good portion of the heat from the EDM spark was transferred to the wire and carried away from the workzone instead of using that heat to melt and vaporize the workpiece.

Explanation: There is a vast array of wires to choose from with brass wire normally being used however, molybdenum, graphitized, and thick and thin layered composite wires are available for different applications.

• Flushability.

Explanation: Wire diameters range from .004″ through .014″ with .010″ being the most commonly used. The wire originates from a supply spool, then passes through a tension device (different diameter wires require different amounts of tension to keep it straight). It then comes in contact with power feed contacts where the electric current is applied.

Explanation: After originating from a supply spool, the wire then passes through a set of precision, round diamond guides, and is then transported into a waste bin. The wire can only be used once, due to it being eroded from the EDM process.

Explanation: With the addition of the programmable “Z” axis, workpieces of different thickness, can also be machined. For example, the die openings and dowel pin holes can be machined on a one inch thick die block, then the machine can be programmed to move to another location and machine the punches on a two or three inch thick workpiece.

Explanation: The threading process of the automatic wire threader takes place automatically if there is a broken wire or by a command in the program. In a wire break situation, the end of the wire is clamped while the supply wire is drawn back, annealing and separating the wire, while leaving a sharp point on the end of the supply wire.

Explanation: This feature allows multiple openings to be cut in die blocks, progressive dies, production, and prototype workpieces automatically and unattended without the intervention of an operator, resulting in higher productivity. The demand for automatic wire threading (AWT) and dependent reliability has been met with new and improved designs.

wire break during machining, the machine returns to the start point of that opening, re-threads the wire and move through the program path to the position where it broke, powers up, and continues cutting as if the wire had never broken.

Explanation: The wire tip segment that was clamped is disposed of in a wire tip disposal unit. The supply wire is then directed into the lower guide. The wire then proceeds to the back of the machine where it is discarded in a scrap wire bin.