3 Axis Milling – Milling is the machining process of using rotary cutters to remove material from a piece of metal, wood, foam, or plastic, to form the piece into a specific shape. 3 Axis Milling is employed when the cutting requires simultaneous controlled movement of the X, Y and Z…
4 Axis Milling—This cutting includes the above axes plus 1 rotary axis movement. There are two possibilities - 4 axis simultaneous interpolation (also known as true 4th axis) or just 4th axis positioning, where the 4th axis can reposition the part between 3 axis operations, but does not actual…
5 Axis Milling – During cutting, 3 Axis milling plus 2 rotary axis movements allow a CNC machine to move a tool on 5 different axes. The cutting tool has the ability to move across the X, Y, and Z axes, but rotates on A and B axes as well, allowing the machine to approach a workpiece from…
Automatic Wire Feed – The automatic wire feed of a Wire EDM machine is responsible for feeding in the extremely fine wire used in cutting. Because the wire is so fine, the automatic wire feeder must apply the perfect amount of torque and pressure to keep a constant feed without breaking t…
CNC Machining – CNC is an acronym for Computer Numerical Control, which refers to the use of a computer to control and monitor the movements of a machine. CNC machines can have several axes of movement, and these movements can be either linear or rotary.
CNC Turning – CNC turning is a catch-all term for the various forms of CNC lathe work we perform. Depending on the job being done and the machine being used, turning could mean:
Pinch Turning – The process of using two independent tool turrets on a CNC lathe. Pinch turning allows…
Contour Milling/Profiling – Contour milling produces a continuous curve of various degrees. Contour milling requires extensive knowledge of complex programs and machinery to produce ultra-precise tolerances and angles. Incredibly intricate industrial components and even works of art …
Deburring – A finishing method used in industrial settings and manufacturing environments. Many processes in order to create pieces of specific shape and size, and it may be welded, molded, cast, trimmed, slit or sheared. These procedures often create ragged edges or protrusions. The raised pa…
Dielectric fluid – Dielectric fluid can be anything from oil to de-ionized water, and limits electric discharges. When used for Wire EDM, dielectric helps cool the work piece, limit the spread of excess electrical discharge, and wash away any material that’s been cut off.
EDM – Electrical discharge machining (EDM), sometimes referred to as spark machining, spark eroding, burning, die sinking, wire burning or wire erosion, is a manufacturing process whereby a desired shape is obtained using electrical discharges (sparks). EDM can cut small or…
Electrode – Electrodes vary greatly depending on the job being performed. Every EDM job has two electrodes, the first being the workpiece which must be a conductive metal. The second being the thin wire of the EDM machine. This electrode can be hollow for small hole EDM, contain multiple chamb…
Flush Cup – Flush cups are essential for Wire EDM equipment. The flush cup is a small plastic nozzle placed roughly 0.004” from the top of the part. This nozzle enables more accurate cutting, and helps to force dielectric fluid between the electrode and the work piece.
Machine Shop – A machine shop is a room or a company where machining is done. In a machine shop, machinists use machine tools and cutting tools to make parts, usually of metal or plastic (but occasionally of other materials such as glass, wood, stone, etc.).
Medical machining is as simple as it sounds: CNC machining services for medical parts manufacturing. Primarily used for medical devices, implants, and surgical components, medical machining can range from the use of one, or a combination, of the following:
3-,4-, and 5-axis milling
Wire EDM…
Micromachining – When the milling is done by an action other than that of a sharp-edged tool, like with an electron beam or lasers. This process is used to make tiny features in parts - measured in micrometers or millimeters. The work is completed via pulsed lasers, depositing very small,…
Micron Tolerance – The tightest tolerances possible, micron tolerance is the epitome of accuracy. While many projects require accuracies as tight as 1/25th the thickness of a human hair, some project require accuracies as tight as a few microns! Micron tolerances are achieved through a process…
Repeatability – The ability to consistently and continuously produce components with ultra-tight tolerances. Repeatability is critical when reproducing replacement parts.
Sinker EDM – Sinker EDM, also called “Ram” EDM or “Plunge” EDM, consists of an electrode and workpiece submerged in an insulating liquid such as oil or, less frequently, other dielectric fluids. The electrode and workpiece are connected to a suitable power sup…
Small Hole EDM – Similar to RAM EDM, small hole EDM uses a hollow electrode to pump high pressure dielectric fluid to remove eroded particles. Small hole EDM behaves like a drill, it even rotates, but spark erosion allows for ultra-tight tolerances. A relatively stress free process, small…
Spark Erosion – Essential to Wire EDM, spark erosion is the process of removing material from a work piece with a series of rapidly recurring current charges between two electrodes. The first electrode is the ultra-thin wire, and the second is any electrically conductive material. Spark erosio…
Swiss Lathe – A special lathe design, Swiss Lathes are made specifically to provide precision accuracy down to a few micrometers. Swiss Lathes hold the work piece on the Z axis using a collet and guide bushing. The tools sit at the Z axis, and the workpiece moves. This is different from m…
Ultra-precision Machining – “High Precision” in traditional machining refers to tolerances of microns in the single-digits. Ultraprecision Machining, using the cutting power of diamonds, is capable of producing such accuracy that the tolerances can reach “sub-micron” le…
Wire EDM – A non-traditional machining process that uses electricity to cut any conductive material precisely and accurately with a thin, electrically charged copper or brass wire as an electrode. When the wire gets close to the part, the attraction of electrical charges creates a controlled s…
