Wire EDM and sinker EDM
We manufacture complex and high-precision components by using wire EDM and sinker EDM technologies.
Mectalent offers expert wire EDM and sinker EDM machining services that meet the highest quality standards.
Our EDM processes are fully automated and achieve tolerances within a thousandth of a millimeter. We can machine even the hardest and most durable materials—as long as they conduct electricity.
All our work is carried out in accordance with industry standards and is supported by our ISO 13485 certified quality management system, from design through to manufacturing.
EDM machining for complex and high-precision parts
EDM is widely used across various industries for manufacturing components such as casting molds and micro-scale parts that require extreme precision.
Compared to traditional machining methods, EDM offers significant advantages. It can process electrically conductive materials regardless of their hardness or strength, making it ideal for demanding applications.
Common materials used in EDM include various steels, titanium, hard metals, nickel alloys, aluminum, copper, brass, and engineering plastics.
Key differences between wire EDM and sinker EDM
The two most common EDM methods are wire EDM and sinker EDM.
While they differ in application, the principle is the same: material is removed through erosion caused by electrical discharges (sparks) between the workpiece and an electrode.
In wire EDM, a thin wire serves as the electrode. In sinker EDM, the electrode is custom-shaped to create a corresponding negative imprint in the workpiece.
Wire EDM machining – precision cutting for hard materials
In wire EDM, a thin wire moves between guiding systems and acts as an electrode. It cuts the material using sparks generated by electrical discharges. The machining follows a programmed toolpath.
Wire EDM—also known as wire cutting—is an extremely precise manufacturing method. It enables the cutting of intricate profiles with accuracies in the micrometer range.
Typical Applications for Wire EDM
Wire EDM is ideal for producing precision punch and extrusion tools, small-radius hole shapes, and sharp inner corners. It is especially suitable for hard and difficult-to-machine materials like hardened steels, hard metals, and superalloys.
Wire EDM can be used on any electrically conductive material and delivers an excellent surface finish. Since the process generates very little heat, it’s also suitable for machining heat-treated materials and hard metals. The thickness of machinable parts can range from a few hundredths of a millimeter to several hundred millimeters.
Sinker EDM machining – complex cavities and forms
In sinker EDM, an electrical voltage is applied between the tool and the workpiece, generating a spark that erodes material from the surface. The process creates a negative impression of the tool shape on the workpiece.
Sinker EDM is suitable for both hardened and soft steels and can achieve excellent surface finishes. It can sometimes be used to machine materials that are too hard for traditional milling processes.
Typical applications for sinker EDM
Sinker EDM is particularly effective for creating geometries that are difficult or time-consuming to produce using conventional machining.
It is well-suited for small-radius internal and external shapes, tapered or narrow grooves, and deep cavities. It can also produce more complex 3D shapes than wire EDM.
Sinker EDM is widely used in industries requiring precision and complex geometries—for example, in the manufacturing of molds and cutting tools, as well as in the production of micro components and circuit boards for the electronics industry.
It’s also used in the aerospace, aviation, and automotive industries for machining intricate components made from specialty materials.
>> Read the blog: Manufacturing precision parts requires special expertise
Wire EDM and sinker EDM experts at your service
In addition to wire and sinker EDM, we offer a broad range of manufacturing services as well as component and equipment design.
Contact our sales team to learn more!
Contact us
Matti Ojala
+358 20 7419 404
Juha-Matti Helisten
+358 20 7419 432
Jari Maijanen
+358 10 5565 208