MFG 381 - EDM Fundamentals

1. Understand and program CNC EDM software
   1. Enter necessary data
   2. Determine surface finish
   3. Create CNC program
   4. Edit program to change dimensions
   5. Run automatic routines on electrodes and workpiece
2. Determine flushing requirements
   1. List methods of flushing in conventional and wire E.D.M
   2. Explain the importance of flushing in E.D.M. and how it effects finish and erosion speeds
   3. Explain work-piece preparation as it pertains to flushing
   4. Determine the level of rust inhibitor necessary to keep the work- piece from rusting
   5. Determine filtering requirements of the flushing circuit and maintenance involved
   6. Describe how the flushing medium is altered to allow the conductivity parameter to be correct
   7. Identify the flushing circuit components. (pumps, filters, tanks, etc).
3. Identify function controls on a conventional E.D.M.
   1. Locate and set secondary burn parameters
   2. Determine and read the burn efficiency graphs
   3. Fill and drain the work-tank
   4. Locate work-piece origin using machine pick-up functions
   5. Determine set-up parameters for using the orbiting function
   6. Determine electrode holding requirements as it pertains to the machine and its respective tooling
   7. Adjust flushing pressure
   8. Prepare E.D.M. controls for erosion mode
   9. Prepare E.D.M. for manual positioning mode
4. Identify function controls on a traveling wire E.D.M
   1. Locate and set “on-time”, “off-time”, “intensity level”, “wire speed”, and “wire tension
   2. Identify and set flushing pressure
   3. Identify and enable wire squaring functions
   4. Prepare E.D.M. controls for erosion mode
   5. Prepare E.D.M. controls for manual positioning mode
   6. Determine and set-up angle parameters
   7. Prepare control to accept, edit, and delete CNC programs
   8. Locate work-piece origin using machine pick-up functions
   9. Load and thread wire through-out machine wire driving mechanism
5. Select proper electrode materials for both wire and conventional E.D.M
   1. List electrode materials and wear characteristics for each material
   2. Identify best electrode material for a given application according to flushing, finishing, and cost requirements
   3. Determine flushing ports necessary for a conventional electrode
   4. Determine the proper wire hardness as it pertains to angling and burning characteristics
6. Create CNC programs for a wire E.D.M
   1. Download CNC program from a P.C. to the wire E.D.M. control
   2. Create a CNC program using a CAM software package
   3. Manually edit a CNC program using the local editor at the machine control and using a off-line editor
   4. Explain and Interpolate CNC code
7. Identify proper work-piece set-ups
   1. Identify methods of work-holding using purchased fixturing
   2. Determine work-piece placement on the EDM to avoid working outside machine movements
   3. Identify work-piece set-ups as they effect flushing capabilities