Important Properties of Electrode Material
Electrodes are the most important components of sinker EDM machines. The electrodes are what generate the sparks that remove the material from the work piece and create shapes. The quality of the electrode greatly influences resulting product. You can choose between copper tungsten, pure copper, or graphite electrodes for sinker EDM.
Leaning about the key properties of electrode materials will help you when trying to make a decision regarding which electrode material to use. The electrical conductivity of the material dictates its cutting efficiency. The amount of electricity that flow into the electrode influences the strength of the sparks which are used to remove the material from the work piece. The higher the conductivity, the better the cutting efficiency. EDM is a thermal process and the electrode material is going to be exposed to extremely high temperatures. The higher the melting point of the material, the more resistant it is against the wear caused by heat. Adhesive Tape for Cleaning Permanent Lifting Magnets Permanent lifting magnets are difficult to clean. The fact that you cannot deactivate its magnetism makes it very hard to remove steel shavings that have attached to it. Some recommend using a powerful electromagnet for cleaning. Although effective, this is also quite the expensive cleaning method. An affordable alternative is the use of a strong adhesive tape. Simply place the tape on the surface of the lifting magnet with steel shavings. The adhesive in the tape will bond with the shavings. When you peel it off, the steel shavings will come with it.
