Electrical Discharge Machining Apr 2026

The process occurs within a —typically hydrocarbon oil or deionized water—which acts as both an electrical insulator and a coolant.

, often referred to as spark machining or spark erosion, is a non-traditional manufacturing process that removes material from a workpiece using controlled electrical discharges (sparks). Unlike conventional milling or turning that relies on physical contact and mechanical force, EDM is a thermal erosion process where a series of rapidly recurring current discharges between two electrodes melts and vaporizes microscopic amounts of material. How EDM Works Electrical discharge machining

Between sparks, the dielectric fluid flushes away the eroded particles (debris) to prevent short circuits and prepare the gap for the next discharge. Main Types of EDM Electrical Discharge Machining (EDM) - Beltim & Associates The process occurs within a —typically hydrocarbon oil

A power supply creates high-frequency electrical pulses across a tiny gap (0.005 mm to 1 mm) between a tool electrode and the workpiece. How EDM Works Between sparks, the dielectric fluid

When the voltage reaches a "breakdown" point, the dielectric fluid ionizes, forming a plasma channel. The resulting sparks generate localized temperatures between 8,000°C and 12,000°C , vaporizing the material.