Oklahoma Creativitity

 Just about every EDM machining operation in the world uses graphite to make the EDM electrodes used for burning the cores and cavities in injection molds. Japan and Europe still favor Telco copper, but Poco graphite is being used more and more.

One of the main complaints with graphite is the dust. It gets everywhere: in you skin, lungs, machinery and computer. The most common way to solve this problem is with an industrial dust collector, such as those made by Torit.

Newer high speed machining centers come with a negative pressure chamber that effectively eliminates the dust from the atmosphere. Amazingly, the inside of the cabinet and the work area are almost completely free from the machining dust that used to be such a pest.

Graphite dust is non-carcinogenic, which is a good thing for the EDM operator and injection mold maker! It is, however, a local irritant and can cause skin irritation and immflamation of the eyes and nose. A particle mask is an exercise in futility because the filter quickly clogs up with dust and you are left breathing your own bad breath and smelly graphite.

The dust is highly conductive and can damage nearby machinery. I have witnessed an expensive Charmilles EDM sinker get fried from the dust. The control panel had vent louvres that allowed the dust to settle on the circuit boards, which then short-circuited and bam! Charmilles was unable to repair it, but a local 16 year old whiz kid managed to salvage it.

It is good practice to manage the dust, in whatever way you are able. It is a good idea in every respect.

Randy Hough has a website: http://CompleteEDM.com that talks about EDM machining.

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