computer numerical control (cnc) electrical discharge machining (edm) centers were investigated to evaluate the application and cost effectiveness of establishing this capability at allied-signal inc., kansas city division (kcd). in line with this investigation, metal samples were designed, prepared, and machined on an existing 15-year-old edm machine and on two current technology cnc edm machining centers at outside vendors. the results were recorded and evaluated. the study revealed that cnc edm centers are a capability that should be established at kcd. from the information gained, a machine specification was written and a shop was purchased and installed in the engineering shop. the older machine was exchanged for a new model. additional machines were installed in the tool design and fabrication and precision microfinishing departments. the engineering shop machine will be principally used for the following purposes: producing deep cavities in small corner radii, machining simulated casting models, machining difficult-to-machine materials, and polishing difficult-to-hand polish mold cavities. 2 refs., 18 figs., 3 tabs