Wire EDM and CNC Machined Hardened Steel Parts
These are hardened steel parts made by combining CNC milling with wire EDM. Features such as sharp internal corners, narrow slots, punch and die profiles and splines are cut by EDM after heat treatment, so hardness does not limit accuracy. The service suits tooling makers, automation builders and machine designers who need precise profiles in hardened or hard-to-machine metals.
- Material
- Carbon Steel
- Tolerance
- to ±0.005 mm
- MOQ
- 1 piece
- Prototype lead time
- 3–7 days
- Wire EDM after heat treatment, no cutting force
- Sharp internal corners and narrow slots
- Tool steel, 4140, 17-4PH, titanium, copper
- Skim cuts for fine EDM surface finish
Item ref. 1601927315560 ·
| Process | CNC milling, heat treatment, wire EDM, surface grinding |
|---|---|
| Materials | Tool steel, alloy steel 4140, stainless 17-4PH, titanium, copper |
| Surface Finish | As EDM, skim-cut finish, black oxide, passivation |
| EDM Wire | Typically 0.1–0.3 mm brass wire |
| Tolerance | ±0.05 mm standard; down to ±0.005 mm on critical features |
| MOQ | 1 piece; prototypes through mid-volume runs |
| Drawing Formats | STEP, IGES, X_T, STL, DWG, DXF, PDF |
| Lead Time | Prototypes typically 3–7 working days; production usually 10–20 |
| Inspection | FAI, in-process checks, 100% critical dimensions; CMM |
Manufacturing
How we make this part
Process, material options and inspection for wire edm and cnc machined hardened steel parts.
Parts are roughed on CNC mills in the soft state, leaving material for finishing, then heat treated. Wire EDM then cuts the final profile with a thin brass wire, typically 0.1–0.3 mm, that erodes metal through electrical sparks without cutting force. Start holes are drilled for internal shapes. Critical faces may be ground after EDM for flatness.
Tool steels, 4140 and 17-4PH stainless are common because they can be hardened for wear. Wire EDM works on any conductive material, including titanium, copper and carbide. The EDM surface has a thin recast layer; multiple skim cuts reduce roughness and layer depth for punches and dies. Black oxide or passivation can follow, depending on the alloy.
EDM profiles are checked with optical comparison or CMM, and hardness is verified after heat treatment. Critical dimensions are inspected before shipment. Typical parts include punches and dies, gear and spline profiles, cam plates, fixture locators, gripper fingers, keyways in hardened hubs and precision slots in automation and tooling assemblies, made in one-off or batch quantities.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
What is the smallest internal corner radius wire EDM can make?
The radius is roughly half the wire diameter plus the spark gap, so with a 0.1–0.2 mm wire internal corners can be very close to sharp, around 0.06–0.12 mm. End mills cannot get near that. Outside corners can be truly sharp.
Why cut hardened parts with wire EDM instead of milling?
Milling hardened steel is slow, wears tools and can distort thin features. Wire EDM is unaffected by hardness and applies no mechanical force, so profiles stay accurate after heat treatment. It is ideal for through-profiles, though it cannot make blind pockets; those need sinker EDM or hard milling.
How do I get a quote for wire edm and cnc machined hardened steel parts?
Send a 3D model (STEP or IGES) and a 2D drawing with tolerances, material, finish and quantity through the quote form or by email. An engineer replies within 24 hours on business days with price, lead time and any DFM suggestions.
Request a quote
Quote this part
Attach drawings or send several parts at once from the full quote form.
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