EDM and wire EDM from independent machine shops
Spark erosion removes conductive metal with no cutting force, so it cuts hardened tool steel, carbide, and exotic alloys and holds fine, intricate detail milling cannot. Upload a drawing and hear back from shops set up for EDM.
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EDM shops on OpenSpindle
Real shops that cut hardened and exotic parts by spark erosion. See their equipment and talk to the person making your part.
"Hard Metal CNC Machining & Complex Parts Experts"
"Precision Micro-Machining for Medical, Aerospace & Accelerator Industries"
"5-axis precision machining of exotic alloys for aerospace and defense"
How it works
How OpenSpindle Works
Upload your files
Share your CAD files or drawings (STEP, DXF, DWG, PDF) and note material, tolerances, and quantity. It takes a couple of minutes.
Get matched quotes
We route your part to shops with the machines and materials to make it, and they send competitive quotes.
Compare and choose
Weigh quotes, methods, and lead times side by side, then pick the shop that fits your budget and timeline.
Conductive metals our EDM shops cut
EDM works on any electrically conductive metal regardless of hardness. Common alloys are below; if yours is not here, ask when you request a quote.
Specs
Tolerances you can expect
| Feature | With a drawing | No drawing supplied |
|---|---|---|
| Wire EDM profile | ±0.0002 in | ISO 2768 Fine |
| True position | ±0.0005 in | ISO 2768 Fine |
| Sinker cavity depth | ±0.001 in | ISO 2768 Medium |
| Surface finish | 8-32 Ra | 32 Ra as-cut |
Wire EDM is one of the most precise cutting processes; profiles commonly hold ±0.0002 in. Finer finishes need extra skim passes that add time. Call out the critical dimension and shops confirm before cutting.
Secondary operations
Inserts, hardware and finishing
Threads and inserts
Tapped holes, dowel pins, and pressed inserts are added as secondary ops. EDM itself makes the precise bore, slot, or keyway; a mill or grinder handles conventional features.
Finishing
Applied after cutting. As-cut ships fastest; passivation and plating are common on EDM steel and stainless parts, and the recast layer can be polished or stress-relieved where needed.
| Finish | Materials | Adds | Can be applied with |
|---|---|---|---|
| As-cut | All | +0 days | Anything |
| Recast layer removal | Tool steel, carbide | +1-2 days | Polish |
| Passivation | Stainless only | +2 days | Bead blast |
| Zinc / nickel plating | Steel | +3-5 days | Passivation not needed |
EDM leaves a thin recast (white) layer. For fatigue-critical or mold parts, ask for it to be polished or ground off so the shop plans that pass.
Get a better quote
Getting a quote that comes back fast
| Instead of | Send this |
|---|---|
| "EDM part, need a quote" | "D2 tool steel, hardened 60 HRC, wire EDM profile per drawing, qty 25" |
| "Sharp corners inside" | "0.006 in internal corner radius, wire EDM, ±0.0005 on the slot width" |
| "Small hole in a hard part" | "⌀0.020 in hole, 0.75 in deep, small-hole EDM through carbide" |
Say the material hardness, the tightest feature, and its tolerance. Hardness is why EDM was chosen and it sets the price.
Applications
Industries we serve
EDM shops on OpenSpindle cut dies, molds, hardened tooling, and precision components for demanding industries, including AS9100 and ITAR-registered shops.
More on OpenSpindle
Other capabilities
Need a different process? Browse shops for these too.
Designing for this process
What actually changes your quote
Not a definition of EDM. The design choices that move your price and lead time.
Internal corner radius sets the wire
A wire EDM corner is only as sharp as the wire radius, commonly 0.004 in and up. Call out a realistic internal radius; asking for a true sharp corner forces a slower, finer wire.
Thickness drives cut time
Wire EDM cuts the full stack height in one pass, so a taller part takes proportionally longer. Cutting a stack of thin parts at once is cheaper than one at a time.
Skim passes buy finish, not shape
Each extra skim pass tightens tolerance and smooths the surface but adds time. Only spec a fine finish where the part needs it.
Give a start hole on closed profiles
A closed internal cutout needs a threading hole for the wire. Adding a small pre-drilled hole, or letting the shop pop one, avoids a surprise op on hardened stock.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
Wire EDM feeds a thin electrically charged wire through the part to cut a 2D or tapered profile through the full thickness, ideal for tight internal corners, thin webs, and precise slots. Sinker (ram) EDM burns a shaped electrode down into the part to make a blind cavity, sharp internal corner, or keyway. Many shops offer both and pick from your drawing.
Get EDM quotes
Upload a drawing once and compare quotes from independent EDM shops.
STEP · STL · IGES · DWG · DXF · PDF · and more
Uploads are secure & confidential