Method of manufacturing a split master link by electrical discharge machining

A method of manufacturing a split master link for use in an endless track, the method comprised of:

• forming a split master link process blank;
• machining a first bore and a second bore in said split master link process blank separated by a distance A';
• securing the split master link process blank in an electrical discharge cutting machine by placing a first mandrel through said first bore and a second mandrel through said second bore;
• calculating a cutting path and storing said calculated cutting path in a memory means in the electrical discharge cutting machine tool;
• actuating a cutting element of the electrical discharge cutting machine along said cutting path to generate complimentary fit-up faces in the split master link process blank and to cut said split master link process blank into a first part and a second part.

A method of manufacturing a split master link for use in an endless track, the method comprised of:

• forming a plurality of split master link process blanks;
• machining a first link pin bore and a second, parallel link pin bore spaced apart from said first link pin bore by a distance A' in each said split master link process blank, and a securing means hole between and having an axis perpendicular to the axis of said first and second link pin bores;
• securing each of said plurality of the split master link process blanks in an electrical discharge cutting machine by placing a first mandrel through said first bore and a second mandrel through said second bore of each of said split master link process blanks;
• calculating a cutting path and storing said calculated cutting path in a memory means in the electrical discharge cutting machine;
• actuating a cutting element of the electrical discharge cutting machine along said cutting path to generate complimentary fit-up faces in each split master link process blank and to cut each said split master link process blank into a first part and a second part;
• placing a securing means in the link securing hole of each said split master link process blank;
• and
• removing said split master link from said electrical discharge cutting machine.