The Coating Technology with the Wire Electrode

The purpose of this study is to address requests for higher quality and productivity improvement through wire electrode coating technology. A prime example of high quality is the improved life of tungsten carbide. When a tungsten carbide material is cut in water, the cobalt binder starts to dissolve. As a result, the material becomes weak. In this study, we experimentally examine the effect of coating the cutting surface with wire brass. We found that the life of molds could be thereby extended. As an example of productivity improvement, we show a method for core processing automation. When the operator completes a rough cut for all shapes leaving uncut parts, the operator must move the axis manually for each shape in order to finish the uncut part and remove the core. We studied the effect of coating the cutting surface with brass wire in this context, as well. Accordingly, we found that brass could be coated on a part 1 mm from its upper face and could hold the cores. The operator can then cut away the coated part by simply tapping on the cores.