Dirt - Dirt and More Dirt

Letter to the Editor, EDM Today January/February 1999

by Ed Bourgeois, President

In November of 1990, we had an independent lab run a particle analysis for us on water from a 1990 model Wire EDM, cutting D2 steel with brass wire at 19 inches per hour, using a DC power supply.

In June of 1998, we had the same type of analysis on water from a 1998 model Wire EDM, cutting D2 steel with brass wire at 28 inches per hour using an AC power supply.

Here are the results measured in particles per 1.0 ML

The chart results are a composite of a larger, more complicated test run on a HIAC 4100 particle counter with a laser sensor.

With the chart as a reference, it's easy to see the daunting task that confronts today's filter.  We at EBBCO are committed to research and development, and are constantly working to keep up with the demands made by this new technology.

Reply from the Editor

Thank-you Ed, for sending this valuable information to our readers.  I am sure many Wire EDM users had no idea of the breakdown in particle size and the percentage increase with the AC power supplies.   It's easy to see the speed increase, however, the resulting increased load on the filters is not so evident until it's pointed out.  As usual, we can count on EBBCO to study every facet of their business.  Please keep up the good work.