Geometry before method
Through profiles, blind cavities, and starter holes are separated before the process path is confirmed.
EDM machining services
EDM machining, built around geometry, material, and finish intent.
Cut profile, internal geometry, material condition, start strategy, surface requirements, and inspection intent all shape an EDM review. Share the model and drawing so Pearson can organize the critical features and confirm a project path before acceptance.
- Conductive material context
- Drawing-led process review
- Scope confirmed per quote
Capability review
This page describes common request types. Available processes, equipment, tolerances, inspection, documentation, and fulfillment are confirmed for each quote.
Overview
A clearer way to review features that may call for EDM.
EDM requests often begin with geometry that raises a process question: a closed profile in hardened stock, a narrow internal feature, a blind cavity, or a start hole for a subsequent cut. A useful review identifies the conductive material, stock condition, through or blind geometry, start strategy, critical datums, radius intent, finish, and inspection needs without assuming a specific method before the files are reviewed.
Material and stock context
Alloy, conductivity, heat-treatment condition, stock form, and thickness help reveal project questions early.
Finish and datum intent
Critical edges, surface requirements, feature relationships, and documentation expectations belong in the request instead of being inferred.
Fulfillment review
Requests are reviewed manually. The fulfillment route and availability are confirmed before acceptance.
Quote inputs
The information that starts a useful EDM review.
You do not need every answer before submitting. Share what is known and mark the rest for follow-up.
- Common request types
- Through profiles, closed cutouts, narrow slots, keyed or contoured details, blind cavities, shaped internal features, and small start holes
- Helpful files
- STEP or STP model, matching PDF drawing, DXF when useful for a cut profile, dimensioned sketch, or clear photos of an existing part
- Feature definition
- Through or blind condition, stock thickness, start or access location, inside-radius and slot intent, taper or draft, cavity depth, finish, edge, and datum requirements
- Project context
- Material grade and condition, heat-treatment status, quantity, target timing, downstream finishing, and inspection or documentation needs
Interactive EDM review
Explore the details that make an EDM request reviewable.
Select a feature on the sample tooling inserts to see what the model and drawing should communicate before the project path is confirmed.
EDM process demonstration set
The numbered markers match the process groups and review panel.
Illustrative example only; markers identify review features, not dimensions or tolerances.
EDM process review
What should the EDM drawing explain?
Choose a process family to see the details that help clarify the request.
Through-profile geometry and start strategy
A wire-cut request should explain the complete through profile, which side of the cut is retained, how the cut may be started, and how the profile relates to functional datums.
- Closed or open profile and retained side
- Stock thickness and complete through condition
- Edge start or start-hole location and datum relationship
Helpful file detail
Include a DXF or drawing profile when useful and identify retained geometry, start constraints, and critical profile features.
Process fit, equipment fit, achievable tolerances, inspection, documentation, fulfillment, and timing are confirmed from the project information during quote review.
Capabilities
Common EDM request patterns, kept easy to scan.
These examples help identify the likely starting point. Process fit, equipment fit, achievable tolerances, and availability are confirmed from the project files.
Through profiles, cutouts, and contoured details
Wire profilesConductive plates, inserts, tooling details, and other parts with through geometry defined by profile, stock thickness, start strategy, edge intent, and critical datums.
Blind cavities and shaped internal geometry
Sinker featuresClosed pockets, ribs, recesses, shaped features, and tooling details defined by depth, access, corner, draft, surface, and functional relationships.
Small entry holes and cut-access planning
Start holesStart-hole and small-hole requests reviewed with their location, depth, access direction, downstream purpose, and relationship to the final feature.
Finish, edge, and inspection requirements
CompletionCritical surfaces, edge condition, recast or finish intent, datum relationships, post-process sequence, documentation, and inspection expectations reviewed with the request.
Quote workflow
From files to a confirmed EDM path.
A short, human-managed review keeps geometry, material, and open questions visible before work is accepted.
- 01
Share the part
Upload the model, drawing, profile data, photos, quantity, material grade or preference, and known functional requirements.
- 02
Review the EDM drivers
Through and blind geometry, start strategy, stock condition, corners, finish, datums, and inspection intent are organized for follow-up.
- 03
Confirm the path
Process fit, equipment fit, achievable tolerances, fulfillment, timing, and remaining questions are resolved before acceptance.
- 04
Coordinate the project
Approved files and requirements become the reference point for project communication and delivery planning.
Drawing readiness
Small decisions that make an EDM request easier to review.
Clear functional intent is more useful than assuming a method or applying close requirements everywhere.
Design intent before assumptions
- 01
Confirm the material grade and condition.
Name the alloy, stock form, thickness, heat-treatment state, and known conductivity information so material questions are visible during review.
- 02
Separate through geometry from blind geometry.
Identify which features pass through the stock and which stop at a controlled depth; use section views where the distinction is not obvious.
- 03
Define the start strategy and retained side.
For profile cuts, show edge access or a proposed start-hole location and identify which side of the contour is the finished part.
- 04
Mark functional corners, slots, and thin features.
Call out the inside radii, narrow regions, webs, reliefs, and corner conditions that affect function, while showing where alternatives remain acceptable.
- 05
State surface, edge, and process-sequence intent.
Identify finish areas, edge condition, any recast requirement, and whether heat treatment, coating, polishing, or another step occurs before or after the requested feature.
- 06
Tie close requirements to functional datums.
Apply tolerances and inspection expectations to the features and relationships that control fit or performance instead of treating every surface as equally critical.
Materials
Common materials for EDM review.
Grade, conductivity, form, condition, finish, and availability are confirmed for each request.
Material guide
Tool steel
Tooling inserts, dies, punches, and wear-related details where grade, heat-treatment condition, and feature intent are reviewed together.
A2 · D2 · O1 · H13 examples
View materialMaterial guide
Stainless steel
Profiles, slots, tooling details, and industrial components where grade, thickness, finish, and edge intent matter.
303 · 304 · 316/316L · 17-4 PH examples
View materialMaterial guide
Copper
Electrode-related, contact, and conductive component requests where grade, profile, finish, and inspection intent are identified.
C110 · C145 · C101 examples
View materialMaterial guide
Cobalt alloys
Wear- and heat-related components where the exact alloy, condition, feature geometry, and surface requirements need review.
Stellite® 6/12 · Haynes® 25/188 examples
View materialContinue exploring
Related services and application guides.
Tool & Die Making
Review tooling programs that may pair machined, ground, and EDM-defined features.
CNC Machining
Review milled, turned, hole, and edge requirements that may precede or follow an EDM feature.
Surface Grinding
Review flatness, parallelism, thickness, datum-face, and surface-finish requirements for flat parts.
Inspection
Review critical dimensions, datums, feature relationships, and documentation expectations.
Industrial Machinery & Equipment
See common tooling, wear-part, fixture, and equipment-component request contexts.
Electronics & Semiconductors
See common contact, connector, fixture, and conductive-component request contexts.
FAQ
EDM machining quote questions.
A STEP or STP model and matching PDF drawing are a strong starting pair. Add a DXF when it clearly defines a cut profile, plus material grade and condition, stock thickness, through or blind features, start or access details, critical datums, quantity, timing, finish, and inspection or documentation needs.
Through profiles and cutouts may begin as wire EDM questions; blind cavities and shaped internal features may begin as sinker EDM questions; small entry or start holes may begin as small-hole EDM questions. The actual method, equipment fit, and availability are confirmed from the project files.
State the exact alloy or grade, stock form, thickness, heat-treatment state, and current condition when known. Conductivity, process fit, and any remaining material questions are confirmed during review.
Use detail or section views to identify functional inside radii, slots, cavity depth, bottom condition, draft, start or access location, retained side, and relationships to critical datums.
Mark the functional features, datum relationships, surface and edge requirements, recast intent when relevant, and required inspection or documentation. Achievable tolerances and the final scope are confirmed from the project files.
Requests are reviewed manually. The fulfillment route and availability are confirmed before acceptance.
Start with the files you have
Ready to review your EDM machining requirements?
Share the model, drawing, profile data, photos, material condition, and known requirements. Pearson will follow up on the details that still need confirmation.
Request an EDM quote