Electrode and method for manufacturing the same
AssigneeGeneral Electric Company
InventorsAndrew Lee Trimmer, Yuanfeng Luo, Bin Wei, John Broddus Deaton, Jr.
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Abstract
An electrode applied in electro-machining processes, where the electrode includes a main body portion and at least one built-in internal flushing passage for introducing a flushing liquid to a volume between the electrode and a workpiece to be machined. The electrode is made by an additive fabrication process that enables specialized flushing for enhancing waste material evacuation and incorporate special material properties like zones of high electrical conductivity and thermal resistance. The fabrication process produces materials and geometries that could not otherwise be made using conventional processing.
Claims20
An electrode applied in electro-machining processes, comprising:
- a main body made from an additive material fabrication process comprising a plurality of blocks protruding beyond a circumferential outer surface of the main body;
- and
- at least one internal flushing channel formed by the additive manufacturing process through the main body between entrances on an internal shaft and a plurality of slots between the plurality of blocks configured to introduce a flushing liquid to a volume between the electrode and a workpiece to be machined;
- wherein the main body comprises at least two portions made from different materials, wherein the at least two portions further comprise a main portion and a machining portion integrated with the main portion;
- wherein the main portion comprises a rotating shaft and a hub capable of rotating with the rotating shaft, and the machining portion is integratedly formed on the hub;
- and
- wherein the at least one internal flushing channel connects entrances on the rotating shaft with a plurality of exits adjacent to the machining portion, respectively.
A method for manufacturing an electrode applied in electro-machining processes, comprising:
- creating, with an additive material fabrication process, a main body of the electrode comprising a plurality of blocks protruding beyond a circumferential outer surface of the main body, and comprising at least one internal flushing channel formed by the additive manufacturing process through the main body between entrances on an internal shaft and an at least one slot between the plurality of blocks configured to introduce a flushing liquid to a volume between the electrode and a workpiece to be machined;
- wherein the main body comprises at least two portions made from different materials, wherein the at least two portions further comprise a main portion and a machining portion integrated with the main portion;
- wherein the main portion comprises a rotating shaft and a hub capable of rotating with the rotating shaft, and the machining portion is integratedly formed on the hub;
- and
- wherein the at least one internal flushing channel connects entrances on the rotating shaft with a plurality of exits adjacent to the machining portion, respectively.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.