What type of CNC machine uses a wire to cut through materials?

The type of CNC machine that uses a wire to cut through materials is Wire EDM, or Electrical Discharge Machining. This process operates by using a thin wire, usually made of copper or brass, which is fed through the material to create precise cuts. Wire EDM is particularly effective for intricate shapes and tight tolerances in hard materials that are difficult to machine with traditional methods.

The cutting action occurs when electrical sparks are generated between the wire and the workpiece, melting and eroding the material away in a controlled manner. This capability makes Wire EDM especially valuable in high-precision industries like aerospace, automotive, and mold-making where detail is crucial.

Other machines listed, while they are also used for cutting materials, operate on fundamentally different principles. Laser cutting machines utilize focused laser beams to cut through materials, while CNC milling machines use a rotating cutting tool to remove material. Plasma cutters employ a high-velocity stream of ionized gas to cut conductive materials. Each of these methods serves specific applications, but they do not involve the use of wire in the cutting process like Wire EDM does.