One EDM Shop, Two Different Stories

This versatile shop uses wire EDM both to machine big mold components and “turn” small parts.

Twice I’ve visited Extreme Wire EDM in Grandville, Michigan, and twice I’ve profiled distinctly different aspects of its work in our magazine. It’s not common for us to write about a shop more than once, but the two stories I generated were as intriguing as they were dissimilar.

Brothers Karl and Brian Bernt specialize in wire EDM for very large mold components. My initial story details their approach to EDMing that really big stuff. On the other hand, the second story explains their efforts in wire EDM “turning” of small, intricate parts.

What impresses me about shops like Extreme is the willingness (i.e. chutzpah) to leverage advanced machining technologies (stuff that ain’t exactly cheap) to carve out niches in emerging markets. Props to those shops.