Drahtelektrode zum funkenerosiven Schneiden von Werkstoffen

Spark-erosion cutting using a wire electrode paid off from a supply reel is a highly precise process for cutting all metals and some ceramic materials. In order to compensate for wear, the wire electrode is continuously unreeled from the supply reel and pulled through the cutting joint at a speed of some centimeters per second. In order to avoid thermally caused wire breaks, the wire electrode has a non-conductive core which is provided with a conductive coating. During the preferably short pulses applied, current flows in a less than 10<my>m thick coating below the surface due to the skin effect, so that conductivity is not diminished as a result of the non-conductive core. For the non-conductive core, a high tensile strength material capable of accepting high tensile forces can be used. The non-conducting core prevents a thermally caused break in the wire electrode.