Computer Numerically Controlled EDM Machines

The combination of electrical discharge machining (EDM) and computer numerical control (CNC) made the traveling wire concept a reality in the early 1970s. Today, with the continuing development and advances in electronic sensing circuits and adaptive control, conventional EDM has been united with CNC to make unattended, programmable, machining common place in die-sinking machines. This paper discusses the development of both concepts of EDM highlighting the significant features that have been combined to make today's CNC EDM machines.