EDM2005: A new concept for the economic Wire-EDM machining of high quality carbide tools

• Research unit: EU RFP
• Project number: 01.0489

Key words (English)

Economic Aspects; Environmental Protection; Industrial Manufacture; Innovation; Technology Transfer; Safety

Alternative project number (English)

EU project number: G1RD-CT-2002-00774

Research programs (English)

EU-programme: 5. Frame Research Programme - 1.3.1 Innovative products, processes and organization

Short description (English)

See abstract

Abstract (English)

There is a need for more precise and fast production of carbide tools (punches) to be used for the mass production of geometrically complex and narrow toleranced sheet metal products (e.g. lead frames, motor laminates). Compare to grinding, the Wire-EDM machining process allows to make geometrically complex shapes, but the surface quality (thermal cracking. and precision is less good. The EDM2005 project aims the development of a new Wire-EDM machining concept, based on the use of alternative dieletrics, new high strength wires (e.g. coat ed steel wire) and more advanced generators. In combination with corrosion resistant carbide materials, this new machining technology will allow producing punches with small radii and tight tolerances within a competitive time, leading to increased tool life (of the punches). In addition, a new test procedure will be developed for a fast and proper estimation of the tool life of a machined punch.

References in databases (English)

Swiss Database: Euro-DB of the
State Secretariat for Education and Research
Hallwylstrasse 4
CH-3003 Berne, Switzerland
Tel. [phone]
Swiss Project-Number: 01.0489