FAQ

※For chemicals and dielectric fluids, please regard to the SDS.

Wire Electrodes

QWhat are the characteristics of wire electrodes?

Brass wires are generally used for metal works. Brass wires are made by copper/zinc ratio of 65/35 or 60/40 depending on the machine type or manufacturer. Zinc-coated wires are used for high speed machining (also known as coating wire) and piano wires (brass / zinc coated) , tungsten wires are used for precision machining. Please refer to our catalog and web site for more information.
Wire Electrodes

QCan Sodick wire electrodes be used on other manufacture machines?

Yes, it can be used on other machines.

QHow do you solve unwinding wire problems?

How to solve unwinding wire problem is inside the package with the wires.
Please also refer to the video of "how to solve unwinding wires".
Movie on how to solve unwinding wires.

QWhich wires should be used on machining conditions?

Brass wires are used to for standard surface roughness results and zinc-coated wires are used to reduce machining time though the surface roughness is not in consideration. For fine works (severe corner edges), precision wires are used. Zinc or brass on piano or tungsten wires are used on wires sizes less than 0.10 mm for it's tension strength.

Wire Guides

QAre other sizes available that are not listed in the catalog or web site?

Other sizes are available. However the clearance between the wire and guide needs to be considered. Example, D0.2 wire guides cannot be used for D0.2 wires because there are no space and the wire will not go through.

QHow will the clearance of the wire guide effect the work?

The clearance will significantly effect the machining accuracy. Please use the specified size.

QCan a different type of wire guide be used than the recommended type?

Some types may be used, however is highly not recommended.

QHow long do the wire guide last? What are the ways of maintenance?

Our current standard wire guides are made of diamond. Depending on the work material, more than 4,000hours is expected on straight machining. Proper maintenance is necessary by removing work chips (wire powder) and dirt that adhere to the diamond part and its surrounding area.

QHow do you properly set the wire guide?

After cleaning and wiping the guide area on the machine with degreasing agents (Vitol clean spray), align the screws vertically before setting the wire guide.
If the screws are not in vertical positions and is forcibly installed may cause machining defects or damages.

Pipe Electrodes

QWhat sizes of pipe electrodes are available?

Our pipe electrodes are applicable for small hole EDM. Available sizes are from OD 0.08mm to OD 6.0. Please contact your nearest Sodick for other sizes.

QAre other sizes available that are not listed in the catalogue or website?

Other sizes are available. However our main purpose is to provide pipe electrodes for EDM (especially small hole EDM), so we may decline pipes for large sizes and special shape types.

QWhat type of material or sizes should be for works?

Pipe electrodes are made of copper and brass and are highly conductive. Discharge creates a discharge gap between the electrode diameter and the work piece, so the actual hole diameter is larger than the electrode diameter. It is supposedly to expand approximately D0.1-D0.3mm. (E.g. D0.8 mm pipe electrode will generally open a hole of approx. D1.0 mm.) The larger the pipe diameter, the larger the discharge gap will occur which will create a larger hole.