Page 1 of 2
Build it your self EDM??
Posted: Thu Sep 17, 2015 2:59 pm
by toad
I've been trying to find information about building your own EDM for at least tap burning. I've found books for sale on the subject from simple (?) capacitance types for tap burning to pulse types for complex forming with a slick finish.
Has anybody here messed with these
Re: Build it your self EDM??
Posted: Thu Sep 17, 2015 3:46 pm
by JustinR
Why yes, it is possible to build your own electronic dance music. Are you old school trance or new school dubstep?
Re: Build it your self EDM??
Posted: Thu Sep 17, 2015 9:09 pm
by Weetabix
I saw the title and thought "EMP."
What's EDM?
Re: Build it your self EDM??
Posted: Thu Sep 17, 2015 10:22 pm
by toad
Electrical Discharge Machining:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electrica ... _machining
At its simplest an electrode is used to burn a hole through a hard material such as a tap. These days with CNC controls and advanced software it can be used to make smooth complex shapes in hardened metals.
Wire EDM is often used to produce high end trigger parts from hardened tool steel. It leaves a smooth burrless finish.
Prices for commercial rigs can run in the 4 to 6 figures.
Re: Build it your self EDM??
Posted: Thu Sep 17, 2015 11:07 pm
by Netpackrat
Re: Build it your self EDM??
Posted: Fri Sep 18, 2015 12:19 am
by toad
Well that first one is certainly cheap enough. I remember using something similar to what is showed in that second video only more primitive to burn out a tap back in the mid 1970's. The spindle didn't turn and it just used water in a hollow electrode to flush and cool.
I worked in a factory that had EDM die sinkers but I never got to use (play with) them. This was back in the late 1960's IIRC.
Re: Build it your self EDM??
Posted: Fri Sep 18, 2015 12:57 am
by HTRN
You can buy a used "hole popper" for around a grand or two.
A used manual die sinker like a Mitsubishi in say the 30 amp range, in good condition can be had for 6 grand or so. CNC ones tend to be $$$$$.
Considering the costs involved in building them, it makes more sense to buy a used one.
Re: Build it your self EDM??
Posted: Fri Sep 18, 2015 2:02 am
by toad
The made in Taiwan stuff isn't much cheaper. I'd kind of hoped that with an inexpensive lap top and some stepper motors you could make your own cnc rig for 3 figures. Dang soft ware still goes for more than that though.
Re: Build it your self EDM??
Posted: Fri Sep 18, 2015 6:40 am
by HTRN
1 steppers are less than ideal, and servos and drives aren't cheap.
2 the power supply will not be cheap to build, I think it was close to a grand.
3 you haven't touched on ball screws - those cheap rolled ballscrews are only good to . 004 per foot. Ground screws are pricey.
Re: Build it your self EDM??
Posted: Fri Sep 18, 2015 4:03 pm
by toad
Ayup It looks like if you want something that can do the fancy cuts it looks like, as always, you have to pay the fancy price.
