Perhaps it is because I am a history lover, but whenever I hear the word ram, I instantly revert to battering ram. Battering rams were used to break open the walls and gates of forts in ancient times. The original and simple form was a large log carried and propelled at the object with force by several people. Later, improvements were made and they could be swung from chains or ropes. However, when we are discussing ram EDM, we are talking about a very different process. Like a battering ram putting a hole in a wall, ram EDM is able to change the surface of an object; although it does so in a much different and less destructive manner.

In these situations there is no impact, let alone such a heavy and forceful one as in the case of the battering ram. In fact, in this process there is no contact at all, instead it works through a conductive pathway. The process works by using electrodes to create sparks which will create the conductive pathway to the work piece, enabling the sparks to melt away the unwanted material. The heat generated can range from eight to twenty thousand degrees. Ram EDM is used for various applications including injection mold tooling, key-ways, micro hole drilling, washers and scientific research apparatus’.

The pieces formed in this process are typically flawless. For this reason it is a method used to produce items with high tolerances and superior precision. This could be industries ranging from medical to military to aerospace. The whole process is done submerged in a dielectric fluid to ensure the debris is washed way, preventing chipping or other small flaws. It is able to create burr free products. CAD and CAM software are also typically employed for addition precision and minimal human error.