CNC Wire EDM Nickel is a core capability at VT machining. We combine controlled EDM machining with material-aware setup for Nickel — an alloy that is corrosion and heat resistant — to produce parts that meet your specification first time.
Process Data for CNC Wire EDM Nickel
| Area cutting rate (0.25 mm brass wire) | ~115 mm²/min |
|---|---|
| Linear speed at 10 mm thick | ~11.5 mm/min |
| Linear speed at 30 mm thick | ~3.8 mm/min |
| Linear speed at 60 mm thick | ~1.9 mm/min |
| Achievable accuracy | ±0.005 mm with 3-4 skim passes; Ra 0.4-0.8 µm |
Shown for Nickel 200, the most common Nickel grade we see for CNC Wire EDM. Typical values for Nickel 200, Annealed; confirmed on the first part.
CNC Wire EDM Capability for Nickel
- Kerf from 0.1 mm
- Tolerance to ±0.002 mm
- Hardened & exotic alloys
- Sharp internal corners
Nickel Material Data
| Density | 8.89 g/cm³ |
|---|---|
| Tensile strength | 460 MPa |
| Yield strength (0.2%) | 148 MPa |
| Hardness | 110 HB |
| Melting point | 1435–1446 °C |
| Thermal conductivity | 70 W/m·K |
| Thermal expansion | 13.3 ×10⁻⁶/K |
| Electrical conductivity | 23% |
| Machinability (C36000 = 100%) | 30% |
| Grades we run | Nickel 200, Nickel 201, Alloy 400, Alloy 600 |
Published typical values for Nickel 200. Other grades in the family differ — the certificate supplied with your order carries the actual heat-lot figures.
Gummy and work-hardening at once. Sharp tools, positive rake, and a deliberate depth of cut that stays under the hardened skin from the previous pass.
How CNC Wire EDM Nickel Works
Material is removed from the Nickel workpiece by controlled electrical discharges across a dielectric gap, with no mechanical contact. Flushing, on/off pulse timing and electrode/wire feed are set to balance speed against surface finish.
Every job begins from your CAD model or 2D drawing. Fixturing and tool paths are planned so the most critical dimensions are produced in the most rigid, repeatable setup. Critical dimensions are checked on the first part and monitored through the run.
Achievable Tolerances for CNC Wire EDM Nickel
| Feature | Standard | Precision |
|---|---|---|
| Profile dimension | ±0.010 mm | ±0.002 mm |
| Internal corner radius | 0.15 mm | 0.05 mm |
| Taper control over 50 mm | 0.02 mm | 0.005 mm |
| Surface finish (skim passes) | Ra 0.8 µm | Ra 0.2 µm |
| Recast layer | 10 µm | 2 µm (fine skim) |
| Start-hole diameter | 1.0 mm | 0.25 mm |
| Workpiece hardness | no limit (conductive) | no limit (conductive) |
Standard is what a normal quotation assumes. Precision is available on nominated features and is priced separately, because it needs extra setups, in-process gauging and CMM verification. Call out only the features that need it — blanket-tightening a drawing is the single most common reason a quote comes back expensive.
Working with Nickel
Nickel offers a useful combination of properties: it is corrosion and heat resistant. Those characteristics shape how we approach EDM — from tool and parameter selection to work-holding and coolant.
If your application is sensitive to alloy condition, we agree the specification in writing and document it. Stock is sourced from reputable suppliers so what you order is what you receive.
CNC Wire EDM Tolerances & Surface Finish
EDM holds tolerances to roughly ±0.002–0.005 mm with no cutting force on the Nickel part, producing fine, controlled surface textures and sharp internal corners impossible to mill.
Final tolerances are governed by the material's behaviour, wall thickness and overall stiffness. We give honest DFM feedback if a callout would be costly or better achieved another way.
Design Tips for CNC Wire EDM Nickel
A few design choices make a real difference to cost and quality. EDM suits sharp internal corners, thin ribs and hardened Nickel that cannot be milled; allowing a small corner radius where possible speeds the cut. If you send your model early, we will return practical DFM feedback before you commit to production.
Applications of CNC Wire EDM Nickel
CNC Wire EDM of Nickel supports parts across aerospace, medical, automotive, electronics, semiconductor, energy and general industrial sectors. We scale from one-off prototypes to ongoing production while holding the same quality.
Typical Nickel Parts for CNC Wire EDM
Illustrative examples of CNC Wire EDM Nickel parts and the callouts that usually drive the process plan. They show the kind of work that fits this process; they are not specific customer orders.
Spline broach section
- Material
- Nickel
- Size
- Ø28 × 40 mm
- Key callouts
- Involute profile ±0.005 mm, Ra 0.4 µm
- Batch
- 60 pcs
Wire EDM after hardening to 62 HRC — the profile would not survive being cut soft and heat-treated.
Injection mould cavity rib
- Material
- Nickel
- Size
- 0.25 mm wide × 8 mm deep
- Key callouts
- Width ±0.005 mm, VDI 21 finish
- Batch
- 45 pcs
Sinker EDM with a graphite electrode; a cutter that thin would break in the first pass.
Turbine blade fir-tree root
- Material
- Nickel
- Size
- 40 × 25 mm section
- Key callouts
- Profile ±0.008 mm
- Batch
- 120 pcs
Held on a dedicated fixture so every blade in the set indexes identically.
Finishing Options for Nickel
| Finish | Thickness / effect | Why it gets specified |
|---|---|---|
| Deburr / edge break | 0.05–0.3 mm | All parts unless the drawing says otherwise |
| Bead blast | Ra 1.6–3.2 µm | Uniform matt finish, hides tool marks |
| Laser marking | — | Part number, lot code, data matrix |
No drawing yet? Build one in the browser.
Set the metal, dimensions and features, watch the 3D model update as you type, then switch to the 2D sheet to add dimensions and tolerances. Download it or send it straight to us with your RFQ.
What We Need to Quote CNC Wire EDM Nickel
- GeometrySTEP or IGES for the 3D model, plus a PDF drawing if you have tolerance callouts. A dimensioned sketch is enough to start.
- MaterialThe exact Nickel grade and condition — temper, heat-treat state or hardness. If you are not sure, tell us the function and we will suggest one.
- QuantityPrototype count and the expected annual volume. Both change how the part is made and therefore what it costs.
- TolerancesWhich features are critical. Everything else runs to our standard tolerance, which is what keeps the price sensible.
- FinishSurface treatment, cosmetic requirements, and any faces that must be masked.
- DocumentsWhether you need a material certificate, dimensional report, FAIR or PPAP with the shipment.
Missing something from the list is not a problem — send what you have. We will come back with the specific questions rather than a generic form.
Other Metals for CNC Wire EDM
Other Processes for Nickel
Send the drawing, the Nickel grade and the quantity. You get pricing, lead time and any DFM notes back — usually within one business day.
Request a QuoteFrequently Asked Questions
Which industries use CNC Wire EDM Nickel parts?
CNC Wire EDM Nickel parts are used across aerospace, medical, automotive, electronics, semiconductor and general industrial sectors — anywhere precise Nickel components are required.
Why is Nickel a good choice for CNC Wire EDM?
Nickel is corrosion and heat resistant, which makes it well suited to CNC Wire EDM. We tune the process to the alloy so the finished Nickel EDM machining part meets your dimensional and functional requirements.
What tolerances can you hold for CNC Wire EDM Nickel?
Achievable tolerances for Nickel EDM machining depend on the alloy, geometry and feature size. EDM holds tolerances to around ±0.002 mm with no cutting force on the part. Exact figures are confirmed against your drawing callouts.
What material thickness or size range suits CNC Wire EDM Nickel?
We machine Nickel across a broad size range; share your part envelope for confirmation.
What is CNC Wire EDM Nickel and how is it done?
CNC Wire EDM Nickel refers to wire EDM cuts conductive metal with a charged wire, achieving fine detail and tight tolerance with no cutting force. Applied to Nickel — corrosion and heat resistant — VT machining produces each part to your CAD drawing, selecting parameters from your tolerance, finish and quantity requirements.
Can you EDM-machine hardened Nickel?
Yes. EDM removes material by electrical discharge rather than cutting force, so hardened and difficult Nickel can be machined to fine detail and tight tolerance without distortion.