Wire EDM Finishing Processes / /
While wire EDM produces a mirror-like, smooth finish, some customizations may still be needed on wire EDM parts. Common finishing processes for wire EDM parts include:
Painting
Painting adds color, varnish, or ink to a part. Painting methods include powder coating, liquid coating, or e-coating. During powder coating, an electrostatically charged powder is used, resulting in a scratch-resistant and uniform coat. Liquid coating is when wet paint is applied to a surface. E-coating is the process of dipping a metal part into a bath of paint. The part and paint are electrified, and the paint adheres to the part.
Transfers
Transferring adds a design or label onto a part. During transfer, a heated press transfers the design. The design may later be engraved onto the workpiece.
Assembly
Assembly permanently or temporarily bonds a workpiece to other pieces to form a larger part.
Fasteners or bonding procedures may be used to fuse the parts together.
Drilling
Drilling adds a round hole to a part. Depending on the type of mark that must be made, different types of drills may be used such as spotting, peck, drill presses, tapping, or milling machines.
Deburring
Deburring removes unwanted raised edges or material from a part. This excess material is known as burrs. Deburring may be achieved using several methods, including electrochemical deburring, thermal deburring, and abrasive flow deburring. Electrochemical deburring uses an anodic metal dissolution to remove unwanted material. During thermal deburring, a combustible gas is added to a pressurized chamber to deburr a part. Abrasive deburring uses an abrasive slurry to deburr the part.