8456.30.10 - For working metal

This HTS classification, 8456.30.10, specifically covers machine tools that operate by electro-discharge processes for working metal. These machines utilize electrical discharges, often in the form of sparks, to erode and shape metal workpieces. This method is particularly effective for machining hard metals, intricate shapes, and components that are difficult to work with conventional mechanical methods. Examples include machines used for die sinking, hole drilling, and intricate cutting where precise material removal is paramount.

This subcategory is distinguished from its sibling, 8456.30.50 (Other), by its specific focus on electro-discharge machinery. While the latter encompasses other forms of electro-discharge working not detailed here, 8456.30.10 is dedicated to the electro-discharge machines themselves, irrespective of the specific application, as long as the material being worked is metal.

Within this category, further subdivisions exist to refine classification. The primary distinction is between machines of the "traveling wire (wire-cut) type" (8456.30.10.20) and all other electro-discharge machines for working metal. Wire-cut machines use a continuously moving wire electrode to perform cuts, offering a distinct operational method compared to other electro-discharge techniques. The "Other" subcategory captures remaining electro-discharge machines for metalworking that do not employ a traveling wire.