This section provides an overview for electrical discharge machining (edm) machinery as well as their applications and principles. Also, please take a look at the list of 10 electrical discharge machining (edm) machinery manufacturers and their company rankings. Here are the top-ranked electrical discharge machining (edm) machinery companies as of October, 2024: 1.EDM Intelligent Solutions, 2.Thomason Machine Works, Inc., 3.Kent Industrial USA, Inc..
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Categories Related to Electrical Discharge Machining (EDM) Machinery
Electrical discharge machining (EDM) machinery is a tool used for melting and processing workpieces using heat generated by an arc discharge, primarily in metalworking applications.
In electric discharge machining, an electrode in a liquid is discharged between the workpiece and the electrode to melt the workpiece through heat. The melted portion is then cooled and dispersed by the liquid. This method enables the precise shaping of hard materials, even when conventional cutting tools are not suitable for the job.
EDM is employed to process materials that are challenging to work with using traditional methods. It is particularly useful for machining high-hardness materials. Tasks like creating hexagonal holes, keyways, and complex angular machining are not restricted by the limitations of conventional cutting tools.
In screw machining, EDM can be used for post-machining threads in cases where machining was overlooked, and quenching has occurred. It is also suitable for machining small, deep holes that cannot be drilled conventionally. Slanted holes can be easily created, and specimens with microscopic defects (artificial defects) can be produced using EDM. Additionally, EDM is ideal for machining precise, fine gears with high accuracy. Wire EDM, which uses fine wire, can produce clean involute lines and perfectly circular holes at the center.
In electrical discharge machining, the workpiece is immersed in a highly insulating processing fluid, and it undergoes repeated electrical discharges at a rate of 1,000 to 100,000 times per second. During each discharge, while maintaining a gap of several tens of microns between the electrode and the workpiece, the metal reaches temperatures of several thousand degrees Celsius, causing it to melt.
The processing fluid rapidly cools the molten metal, causing it to vaporize and explode, dispersing it away from the processing surface. The principle of electrical discharge machining involves the removal of material from the workpiece surface as small particles are cooled and dispersed in the processing fluid.
There are three primary types of EDM machinery in use:
Die-sinking EDM machinery shapes the workpiece by employing electrical discharge between the electrode and the workpiece. An electrode, typically made of materials like copper or graphite, is machined into the inverse shape of the desired object. When the electrode is brought close to the workpiece, electrical discharge occurs, resulting in the workpiece taking on the shape of the electrode. This process can be controlled numerically, enabling complex 3-dimensional machining, and it is often used for producing molds used in resin molding.
Wire EDM machinery utilizes an extremely thin wire, typically with a diameter ranging from 0.05 mm to 0.3 mm, as an electrode for electrical discharge machining. Brass wire is commonly used, and the wire is guided by numerical control (NC) to cut the workpiece into the desired shape. Wire EDM is characterized by the absence of electrode machining and minimal material loss during the process. It excels in machining complex shapes but cannot handle materials that cannot be penetrated. This method is often employed for processing press work dies, among other applications.
Small-hole EDM machinery uses a rod- or pipe-shaped electrode within the processing fluid to melt and remove material while drilling tiny holes. It is capable of drilling holes as small as 0.1 mm in diameter. The electrode and workpiece are processed without direct contact, making it suitable for tasks like creating air vent holes in molds and precision nozzles.
EDM machinery typically consists of three key components: the main machining unit, the machining control device, and the machining fluid supply unit.
The main machine incorporates the electrode responsible for processing the metal. It is pressed against the workpiece while processing fluid is sprayed from an injection nozzle. An appropriate volume of processing fluid must fill the machining area, and this is achieved by surrounding the area with a processing tank equipped with a liquid-level adjuster.
The machining control device is an essential component of NC machine tools. By inputting data into the machining program, it can ensure the consistent and highly accurate production of machined products.
Electric discharge machining relies on the flow of electricity through an insulating gas or liquid, with machining fluid acting as the insulator. Water or oil is typically used as the primary ingredient in machining fluids. These fluids play a critical role in electric discharge machining by providing cooling and removing machining debris.
The most significant advantage of EDM machinery is its ability to process challenging materials with ease. It excels in precision, capable of machining down to a few microns and handling complex shapes.
EDM is a non-contact machining method, eliminating the potential for accuracy defects caused by workpiece deformation. It can swiftly process even thin plates. While traditional cutting processes often leave burrs, EDM produces no burrs, eliminating the need for additional deburring. Moreover, it can accurately machine inside corners, deep grooves, and holes with widths as small as 0.1 mm. However, EDM's slow machining speed and the need for numerous consumables, such as electrodes, make it less suitable for mass production.
*Including some distributors, etc.
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EDM Intelligent Solutions (EDMIS) was established in 1996 and headquartered in Bartlett, Illinois, as a contract manufacturer and 3D metrology company. The company offers a range of services, including electrical discharge machining, 3D metrology, and precision grinding. Its contract manufacturing services include wire EDM machining, fine wire EDM, sinker EDM machining, and EDM hole drilling. The company's products and services find application in various industries, including communications, electronics, aerospace, medical, and automotive.
Marshall Manufacturing Company is a manufacturer of precision machined parts, founded in 1951 and located in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The company provides medical components, devices and surgical instruments to customers throughout the US and Europe. Its capabilities include CNC Swiss & Micro-Swiss machining, laser tube cutting, CNC Turning, CNC wire EDM, and CNC 3D bending of small diameter wire and tubing. These services cater to industries such as medical, biomedical, and related device fields. The company is registered to ISO 13485:2016, ensuring the implementation and maintenance of its quality system.
Thomason Machine Works, Inc. is headquartered in Rockford, Illinoisis, has been a designer and manufacturer of custom precision machined parts since 1978. The company offers CNC milling and turning, headers, roll threads, and wire EDMs, as well as providing CNC machining and 3D printing services. It also provides various finishing services, such as grinding, polishing, and painting based on customers' specific needs. The company's products find application in diverse industries, including fastener, aerospace, motion and fluid control, packaging, and the manufacturing industries.
Kent Industrial USA, Inc., founded in 1979 with facilities in the USA, is a manufacturer of grinders, lathes, mills, EDMs, and drill machines. The company's products include manual hand feed and tool and cutter grinders, as well as manual and CNC precision lathes available in various specifications for the energy, automotive, aircraft, and aerospace industries, among many others. Kent Industrial USA, Inc. also supplies parts and full-service on-site maintenance assistance for all of the machinery it supplies.
Sodick Co., Ltd, founded in 1976 and headquartered in Yokohama, Japan, is a manufacturer and supplier of machine tools, injection molding machines, food machines, and LED products. The company's product portfolio includes nano-level precision machines, magnesium alloy injection machines, noodle steam sterilizers, LED products, and electronic components. These products are utilized in various industries, including food processing, electronics, LED and lighting, manufacturing and machining, and the plastics and injection molding industry. The company has development, production, and service locations in different countries, including the United States, China, Thailand, India, and Singapore.
Phillips Machine Tools India Pvt Ltd, established in 2008, and based in Mumbai, India, is a manufacturer and supplier of CNC machines and tools. The product portfolio includes diverse range of machinery with automated solutions and technologies. The company also provides innovative technology from top brands with productivity solutions through sales, training, and services. The products are used in various industries which include food, medical, additive, wire cut/CNC, automation, metal, and drill systems.
Hermetic Solutions Group, founded in Feasterville-Trevose, Pennsylvania, in 1945 is a manufacturer and supplier of Hermetic Interconnect Products. The company's product portfolio includes feedthrough used for passing electrical signals, power, or fluid across hermetically sealed barriers, glass-to-metal sealings and standard hermetic interconnect products. The company serves industries such as Oil and Gas, Aerospace and Defense, Automotive and Transportation, Construction, and Power Generation. The company provides services such as Product Selection Guidance, Engineering Support, and Custom Manufacturing.
Beijing Dimon CNC Technology Co., Ltd founded in 2010 is a manufacturer and supplier of precision CNC machining solutions located in Beijing, China. Its product range encompasses CNC machining equipment, precision tools, and machining accessories, vital components in the manufacturing and metalworking manufacturing. The company products find applications in various sectors, from aerospace and automotive manufacturing to electronics and medical device production. Its promise to precision and innovation ensures efficient and quality machining processes across diverse industries.
Ohno Seiko Co. Ltd., founded in 2001, is a Japanese manufacturer and supplier headquartered in Nishio City, Aichi, providing precision metal parts. The company’s product range includes electronic and integrated circuit (IC) parts, such as pallet basses and parts for IC chip carriers. It also offers parts related to lithium batteries and starter devices. The company provides object cutting and welding services as well as grinding processing using cylindrical and surface grinders. It also offers polishing services through lapping processes to achieve surface roughness of specific measurements. These products find applications in various industries, including the automotive and medical sectors.
Suzhou Longkai Electromechanical Technology CO.,LTD. is a global equipment and technology supplier of mechanical processing and mold manufacturing sector that is headquartered in Suzhou, China, and was established in 2008. The company specializes in the research and development of EDM wire-cutting machine tools, central wire-cutting machine tools, CNC punch machines and CNC drilling machines. Suzhou Longkai Electromechanical Technology offers numerous services, such as system design, engineering, and installation. The company's products find application in many industries, including automotive, aerospace, and mold making.
Ranking as of October 2024
Derivation MethodRank | Company | Click Share |
---|---|---|
1 | EDM Intelligent Solutions |
46.7%
|
2 | Thomason Machine Works, Inc. |
26.7%
|
3 | Kent Industrial USA, Inc. |
20.0%
|
4 | Marshall Manufacturing Company |
6.7%
|
Derivation Method
The ranking is calculated based on the click share within the electrical discharge machining (edm) machinery page as of October 2024. Click share is defined as the total number of clicks for all companies during the period divided by the number of clicks for each company.Number of Employees
Newly Established Company
Company with a History
*Including some distributors, etc.
*Including some distributors, etc.
Country | Number of Companies | Share (%) |
---|---|---|
United States of America | 4 | 50.0% |
China | 2 | 25.0% |
Japan | 1 | 12.5% |
India | 1 | 12.5% |