EDM (Electrical Discharge Machining)

Electrical discharge machining (EDM) is a subtractive manufacturing process in which the desired part or product shape is obtained using electrical discharges, or “sparks,” to remove material from an electrically-conductive metal workpiece. Material is removed via a series of rapidly recurring current discharges between two electrodes that are separated by a specialized dielectric liquid. The workpiece is submerged in this liquid and serves as one electrode; the second electrode is the “tool” which makes cuts, drills holes, or otherwise processes the material as it moves freely about the work envelope. EDM is primarily used to machine hard metals or those that would be difficult or impossible to process via traditional techni