Now you have thrown a XY axis into the mix, This usually is a requirement of wire EDM, I would think sinkers are predominantly Z axis move only?
Although the XY would definitely make it more flexible.
Max.

The sinker circuit I posted was intended as an example on how to generate the power needed for the EDM to work and the logic behind its functionality... If I'm going to venture into a project like this one, I'm going to aim for an XY plus 2-axis tilt control... effectively a 4-axis machine.

 

I found this on line. Maybe some of it will be useful.

http://cscott.net/Projects/FabClass/final/edesign1.html

 

.. If I'm going to venture into a project like this one, I'm going to aim for an XY plus 2-axis tilt control... effectively a 4-axis machine.

Ambitious project! I have done a lot of work with PC slot based motion cards (as well as stand alone) such as Galil and may look into using one of these as a EDM controller.
Max.

 

Ambitious project! I have done a lot of work with PC slot based motion cards (as well as stand alone) such as Galil and may look into using one of these as a EDM controller.
Max.

I've already designed my own controller capable of managing up to 8-axes. Unfortunately, it only does linear interpolation and doesn't have routing capabilities... just yet. For that I use Indexer LPT, for which I wrote a code generator a long time ago that works within AutoCAD.

 

When still working they bought a few (3) of the latest Charmilles CNC EDMs. They tried to do a job using an X axis move, to make an undercut like a mill table "T" slot in a part. What a mess! There is so much electrode wear that it took for ever to get it done. This was to one and only time they tried it, at least while I was working in the department.