“Shops will see more cost-effective EDM cells with integrated automation, such as robots and automatic twin-wire operation. More standardmodel machines will include integrated automation. For die-sinking machines, this will include integrated automation – no external units – for electrode and work pallet handling, and machine CNCs will oversee all the automation. In addition, EDMs will be modular in design, so shops can add different automation configurations.”

—Christian Piantchenko, head of marketing and sales support for EDM at AgieCharmilles, speaking on future trends/innovations in EDM.