Electrical discharge machining electrodes and associated methods
AssigneePratt & Whitney Canada Corp.
InventorsMichel Frederick, Greg Maccaul
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An electrical discharge machining (EDM) electrodes and associated methods are provided. An EDM electrode includes a holder rotatable about a rotation axis and a plurality of electrode elements attached to the holder and circumferentially arranged around the rotation axis. Respective positions of the electrode elements are radially adjustable relative to the rotation axis.
Claims20
An electrical discharge machining (EDM) electrode comprising:
- a holder rotatable about a rotation axis;
- and
- a plurality of electrode elements attached to the holder and circumferentially arranged around the rotation axis, respective positions of the electrode elements being radially adjustable relative to the rotation axis.
A method of refurbishing an electrical discharge machining (EDM) electrode including a plurality of electrode elements attached to a holder rotatable about a rotation axis, the electrode elements circumferentially arranged around the rotation axis, the method comprising:
- adjusting a position of one or more of the plurality of electrode elements radially outwardly relative to the rotation axis;
- and
- using a material removal process to form a substantially circular radially-outer periphery of the electrode cooperatively defined by the plurality electrode elements.
A method of machining components using an electrical discharge machining (EDM) electrode including a plurality of electrode elements attached to a holder rotatable about a rotation axis, the electrode elements circumferentially arranged around the rotation axis, the method comprising:
- machining a first component using the EDM electrode;
- refurbishing the EDM electrode by:
- adjusting a position of one or more of the plurality of electrode elements radially outwardly relative to the rotation axis;
- and
- using a material removal process to form a substantially circular radially-outer periphery of the electrode cooperatively defined by the plurality electrode elements;
- and
- after refurbishing the EDM electrode, machining a second component using the EDM electrode.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.