Mitsubishi Electric FA20S

$180,000 - $280,000 Updated 2026-03-16

Key Specifications

X Travel

19.7″ / 500 mm

Y Travel

13.8″ / 350 mm

Z Travel

11.8″ / 300 mm

Table Size

780 x 630 mm

Accuracy

±0.002 mm (±0.00008 in)

x axis travel

400 mm (15.7 in)

Overview

The Mitsubishi Electric FA20S is a precision wire EDM machine from Mitsubishi Electric's FA series, designed for accurate wire cutting of complex 2D and 4-axis taper profiles in tool steels, carbide, ceramics, and conductive materials. Mitsubishi Electric is one of three manufacturers — alongside Sodick and GF Machining Solutions (Charmilles) — that define the premium wire EDM market globally, and the FA20S represents their mid-range offering with a 600 x 400 mm (23.6 x 15.7 in) U/V axis travel for taper cutting applications.

The FA20S uses Mitsubishi's DIGITAL AE-circuit pulse generator for precision wire erosion control, achieving cut surface finishes down to Ra 0.1 µm (4 µin) in skim-cut mode. Wire diameter capability ranges from 0.10 mm to 0.30 mm, covering the standard production wire sizes and enabling fine-feature cutting with 0.10 mm wire for small-radius corners and narrow slots. Maximum taper angle is ±15° (standard; ±30° optional) for the U/V axis, which handles the angled features common in progressive die and extrusion tooling.

The machine's submerged cutting capability — with the workpiece and wire fully submerged in deionized water — reduces thermal effects on the workpiece and improves surface quality on precision parts. Automatic wire threading (AWT) restarts cutting automatically after wire breaks, reducing unattended downtime during long programs. The D-CUBES control (Mitsubishi's proprietary CNC for wire EDM) manages cutting conditions, taper programming, and compensation through an intuitive interface.

At $180,000-$280,000 new, the FA20S competes with the Sodick AQ55L and GF Machining Solutions Cut 300 Sp in the mid-range precision wire EDM segment. Mitsubishi Electric's competitive pricing and broad service network make the FA20S particularly attractive in North America, where their wire EDM presence is strong relative to Sodick and GF.

Full Specifications

Parameter	Value
X Axis Travel	400 mm (15.7 in)
Y Axis Travel	300 mm (11.8 in)
Z Axis Travel	220 mm (8.7 in)
U Axis Travel	±80 mm (±3.1 in)
V Axis Travel	±80 mm (±3.1 in)
Max Taper Angle	±15° (±30° optional)
Max Workpiece Weight	600 kg (1,323 lb)
Wire Diameter Range	0.10 - 0.30 mm
Best Surface Finish	Ra 0.1 µm (4 µin)
Positioning Accuracy	±0.002 mm (±0.00008 in)
Pulse Generator	DIGITAL AE-circuit
CNC Control	D-CUBES (Mitsubishi proprietary)
Machine Weight	~2,800 kg (6,173 lb)
Manufacturer	Mitsubishi
Model	FA20S
X-Axis Travel	19.7″ / 500 mm
Y-Axis Travel	13.8″ / 350 mm
Z-Axis Travel	11.8″ / 300 mm
Table Size	780 x 630 mm
Table Load Max	3,300 lbs
Tank Capacity	187 gallons
Coolant Capacity	187 gallons
Electrical	200-230 V – Phase 3
Cnc Control	Mitsubishi M750 / M700

Specifications sourced from machinio.com — verified 2026-03-28

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

Ra 0.1 µm surface finish in skim-cut mode reduces or eliminates hand polishing requirements on precision wire-cut profiles
0.10 mm minimum wire diameter enables fine-feature cutting with tight corner radii and narrow slots
Submerged cutting reduces thermal workpiece distortion and improves surface quality on tall workpieces
Automatic wire threading (AWT) maintains unattended production through wire breaks without operator intervention
Mitsubishi Electric's service network in North America is stronger than Sodick and GF for wire EDM support
Competitive pricing at $180K-$280K versus Sodick and GF equivalents

Limitations

±15° standard taper angle (±30° optional at added cost) — shops requiring steep tapers must confirm the option at order
220 mm Z-axis limits tall workpiece cutting compared to machines with 300 mm+ Z capacity
D-CUBES control is Mitsubishi-proprietary — operators from GF or Sodick wire EDMs have a learning curve
600 kg workpiece weight is adequate for mid-size dies but constrains large progressive die work
Deionized water system maintenance (resin regeneration, filter changes) adds to operating cost

Best For

Progressive die shops cutting complex punch and die profiles in D2, M2, carbide, and tool steel Precision insert manufacturers producing form inserts and tooling inserts from carbide and hardened steel Medical device manufacturers cutting small precision components in titanium and stainless using 0.10mm wire Extrusion die manufacturers cutting tapered profiles in aluminum and carbide extrusion tooling Shops standardized on Mitsubishi CNC seeking consistent operator experience across their machine tool fleet

Frequently Asked Questions

01 What wire diameters does the FA20S support?

The FA20S supports wire diameters from 0.10 mm to 0.30 mm. Standard production work typically uses 0.20 mm or 0.25 mm wire. Fine-feature work with tight corner radii (under 0.15 mm) requires 0.10 mm wire, which cuts more slowly but achieves smaller feature sizes.

02 Can the FA20S cut carbide?

Yes, the FA20S cuts all grades of cemented carbide effectively. Carbide cuts more slowly than steel due to its higher thermal resistance, and EDM parameters must be adjusted for carbide to minimize surface micro-cracking. Mitsubishi's D-CUBES control includes optimized cutting conditions for carbide that balance cut speed and surface integrity.

03 How does the FA20S compare to the Sodick AQ55L?

Both are mid-range precision wire EDMs with similar capabilities. The Sodick AQ55L uses linear motors for higher positioning accuracy (±0.001 mm vs ±0.002 mm for the Mitsubishi). The Mitsubishi FA20S offers stronger North American service support and competitive pricing. For most wire EDM applications, both machines perform comparably; the Sodick wins on ultimate positioning precision.

04 What dielectric fluid does the FA20S use?

The FA20S uses deionized (DI) water as the dielectric fluid, which is standard for wire EDM. The machine includes an onboard water deionizer (ion exchange resin) that maintains the required conductivity levels. Regular resin replacement and water quality monitoring are part of standard machine maintenance.