What is the difference between Wire EDM and Sinker EDM?

Reference › Glossary › Wire EDM vs Sinker EDM

Comparison

Wire EDM vs Sinker EDM

What's the difference?

Both remove metal with electrical sparks instead of a cutting tool, so both machine any hardness. The difference is the electrode and therefore the geometry each can make.

Wire EDM

Uses a moving fine wire to cut a profile all the way through the part, like a bandsaw following a programmed path. Best for through-profiles, dies, punches, gears and tight-tolerance contours with straight or tapered walls.

Sinker EDM

Burns a shaped electrode down into the part to reproduce its form as a cavity. Best for blind pockets, sharp internal corners, ribs and fine detail — the backbone of mold and die making.

Bottom line

Need to cut a shape through the part? Wire EDM. Need to sink a cavity or detail into it? Sinker EDM. Many toolrooms have both.

Full definitions

Wire EDM

Wire Electrical Discharge Machining

Sinker EDM

Ram / Die-Sink EDM

EDM

Electrical Discharge Machining

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