Measurement of electrode depth while electrical discharge machining
OwnerJames Scott FLANAGAN, Thomas James BATZINGER +1inventors
InventorsJames Scott FLANAGAN, Thomas James BATZINGER, Thomas Earnest MOLDENHAUER
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Abstract
An electrical discharge machine includes an electrode configured to machine a conductive workpiece by application of repetitive electric discharges therefrom, and a controller operatively coupled to the electrode and configured to control application of the repetitive electric discharges. The EDM also includes a sensor operatively coupled to the electrode and operatively coupled to the controller. The controller also determines a depth of the electrode in the conductive workpiece based on data from the sensor.
Claims15
An electrical discharge machine (EDM) (100), comprising:
- an electrode (110) configured to machine a conductive workpiece (112) by application of repetitive electric charges therefrom;
- an electrode (110) positioner operatively coupled to the electrode (110) to control positioning of the electrode (110) in three-dimensional space;
- a controller (130) operatively coupled to the electrode (110) and the electrode (110) positioner and configured to control application of the repetitive electric charges;
- and
- a sensor (140) operatively coupled to and positioned around the electrode (110) and operatively coupled to the controller (130),
- wherein the controller (130) determines a depth of the electrode (110) in the conductive workpiece (112) based on data from the sensor (140) and the electrode (110) positioner.
A method, comprising:
- electrical discharge machining a conductive workpiece (112) using an electrode (110) having a tip and a non-working end opposite the tip, a three-dimensional position of the electrode (110) known from an electrode (110) positioner;
- determining a length of the electrode (110) using a sensor (140) positioned around the non-working end of the electrode (110) and operatively coupled to the electrode (110);
- and
- determining a depth of the electrode (110) in the conductive workpiece (112) based on the length of the electrode (110) and the three-dimensional position of the electrode (110).
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.