Method of manufacturing electrically conductive elements particularly EDM or ECM electrodes
AssigneeNational Research Council of Canada
InventorGavin McGregor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method of manufacturing electrically conductive elements such as electrodes for EDM, ECM or other electromachining processes comprises the steps of designing a digital representation of the element, making a three-dimensional replica of the element from an intermediate material, e.g. a polymer, based on the digital representation, and coating the replica with a layer of a good electrical conductor. The replica is made using a tool-less prototyping process. The method is faster and less expensive than conventional machining of copper or graphite EDM or ECM electrodes, especially those having an intricate shape.
Claims8
A method for manufacturing an electrode, the method comprising the steps of:
- a) providing a digital representation of at least a working portion of the electrode,
- b) forming a three-dimensional solid replica of the at least working portion of the electrode from, or based on, the digital representation, and
- c) coating at least a part of the replica with a uniform, non-detachable layer of electrically conductive material, the shape of the outer surface of the conductive material being substantially a positive of the shape of the corresponding underlying part of the replica, to produce an electrode wherein the non-detachable conductive layer is integral with the underlying solid replica.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.