While many forms of erosion are considered to be detrimental, wire erosion is actually very different. As a machine process that is used to cut through various substances in order to form parts for a number of different machines and devices, wire erosion is used daily as part of the production of essential goods. Here is some information about the process of wire erosion, as well as a couple of examples of how wire erosion can be used to best advantage.

The concept of wire erosion has to do with the gradual breakdown of the wire during the cutting process. Wires that are carrying an electrical charge are uses as the medium to cut through such metal and other hard substances during the manufacturing process. As the wires are used to cut through substances, they begin to wear down and eventually have to be replaced. This wire eroder effect ensures that during the course of a project, more charged wires will be required in order to continue the hole burning and wire cutting.

Closely related to wire erosion is the concept of spark erosion. Sparking involves immersion of the tool and the substance into a tank, with the surrounding medium electronically charged. As the tool and substance are brought into close proximity, sparks erupt and jump from the tool to the substance. Gradually, the spark eroding begins to shape and cut the substance, leaving a product that is ready to move on to the next portion of the manufacturing process.

Both wire and spark eroding are commonly used in manufacturing environments that work with metals. The auto industry is a great example of an environment where both wire erosion and spark erosion are employed. Construction materials are also often shaped and created with the use of both wire erosion and sparking. Heavier building materials, such as larger columns, sections of granite and marble and other types of stone can also be shaped with the use of wire erosion.

Typically, wire erosion procedures employ either a two axis position or a four axis position. The two axis position requires that the wire be held vertically in relation to the substance. This means only one set of location coordinates is required to identify where the wire erosion is to take place. With the four axis positioning, each end of the wire will move independently on the same side or surface of the substance being used in the process. Generally, two ends will run parallel to the other two ends, so that the job is accomplished with a uniform result.