Electrical Discharge Machining (EDM) is a non-traditional manufacturing process that uses electrical sparks to erode material. It’s particularly effective for creating complex shapes or working with hard metals that are difficult to machine with conventional methods. Locating a nearby provider offers advantages like reduced shipping costs and faster turnaround times. A practical application would be a local machine shop employing EDM to fabricate intricate mold cavities for plastic injection molding.
The ability to produce intricate geometries in challenging materials makes this technology indispensable in industries like aerospace, medical device manufacturing, and automotive tooling. The process leaves minimal residual stress and offers high precision, contributing to superior product quality and longevity. Its development in the mid-20th century revolutionized the manufacturing of complex parts, enabling the creation of components previously considered impossible to fabricate.