×
INTELLIGENT WORK FORUMS
FOR ENGINEERING PROFESSIONALS

Log In

Come Join Us!

Are you an
Engineering professional?
Join Eng-Tips Forums!
  • Talk With Other Members
  • Be Notified Of Responses
    To Your Posts
  • Keyword Search
  • One-Click Access To Your
    Favorite Forums
  • Automated Signatures
    On Your Posts
  • Best Of All, It's Free!
  • Students Click Here

*Eng-Tips's functionality depends on members receiving e-mail. By joining you are opting in to receive e-mail.

Posting Guidelines

Promoting, selling, recruiting, coursework and thesis posting is forbidden.

Students Click Here

Jobs

spark erosion
2

spark erosion

spark erosion

(OP)
Is it possible to cut through 10 millimetre mild steel plate using electrical discharge/ wire erosion/ spark erosion type machines ?

How much power would it take ?  What cutting speed ?

Who makes such a machine ?

Is any university researching this field ?

Any information welcome.

RE: spark erosion

Bob,

Sinker EDM as you are describing will easily cut through 10mm mild steel.  Depending on the shape you want to cut, you may want to look at submerged wire EDM.  Power/Cutting speed I can't say.  There are many manufacturers of EDM machines...just do a google search for EDM or Electrical Discharge Machining.

HTH

Alan M. Etzkorn  
Product Engineer
Nixon Tool Co.
www.nixontool.com

RE: spark erosion

(OP)
Alan,

Thanks for a very prompt reply.  My own experience was that these techniques were only for small, precision items - so your information is very encouraging.

The items we have to cut are in a nuclear vault and the work must be done remotely, so I doubt that we can use a standard production machine.

But, at least we now know that it is worth pursuing this line.

Thanks again,

Regards

Bob

RE: spark erosion

What type hole do you need?

If it is not a precision hole a portable drill or tap disintegrator type might work and it is fairly small.  The power supply can be remote.

RE: spark erosion

(OP)
Thanks UncleSyd,

The problem is essentially to cut round a tube with 10 mm wall thickness.   This is a 'demolition'-type job so the quality/ width of the cut is not particularly important.

Have you any idea what cutting speed might be possible and what the relationship between power and speed might be ?

When they erode under liquid, is the liquid a coolant or conducter (or both) ?   Is it essential ?

I like the idea of a portable 'tap-disintegrator' type of machine ?

Thanks very much for your information and advice.

Regards,

Bob

RE: spark erosion

Here is the website that I’m familiar with. We had several of there machines.  Give them a call as they were at one time most helpful.  
They are quite a few other companies that make these machines.  With several that claim to be very fast.

Also there are a lot of used machines on the market.

 
http://www.electroarc.com/

RE: spark erosion

(OP)
Well done unclesyd,

I will try electroarc. I am also waiting for a reply from 600centre near Loughborough who claim to know all there is to know on this and similar subjects.

I think you have got me started on the right road here, so thanks again,

All the best,

Bob

Red Flag This Post

Please let us know here why this post is inappropriate. Reasons such as off-topic, duplicates, flames, illegal, vulgar, or students posting their homework.

Red Flag Submitted

Thank you for helping keep Eng-Tips Forums free from inappropriate posts.
The Eng-Tips staff will check this out and take appropriate action.

Reply To This Thread

Posting in the Eng-Tips forums is a member-only feature.

Click Here to join Eng-Tips and talk with other members!


Resources