Adaptive control system and method for electrical discharge machining

Abstract

A system for controlling an electrical discharge machining apparatus in which there is an electronic output switch connected between a power source and an electrical discharge machining gap for providing to the gap machining power pulses of predetermined on-off time. The system further includes a current limiting stage for limiting the peak current provided to the gap at certain critical combinations of on-off time ratios so that possibility of gap short circuiting is substantially eliminated. This system further includes a programmable computer operable to receive a plurality of operator provided and memory stored data inputs, including one for controlling pulse on-time and the other as a current limiting signal for the current limiting stage. The system further includes a reference signal and a signal network connected to the gap for providing a feed-back of a gap voltage signal. These two aforesaid signals are processed to provide an off-time control signal whereby the off-time is suitably controlled in response to changes in gap voltage. The system further includes a means for controlling in an automatic fashion the servo-feed system of the apparatus responsive to the gap voltage signal.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.