US 5,852,268 A · Method and apparatus for fine machining with spark erosion using a wire electrode

Abstract

A method of and a spark erosion apparatus for fine machining by spark erosion of a workpiece (2) with a wire electrode (1) eliminates very efficiently process interruptions caused by short circuits, such that at least one gap parameter is continuously monitored for the purpose of detecting a short circuit; when a short circuit is detected, the forward motion of the electrode (1) is arrested at the point (K) where the short circuit occurred; if the short circuit persists, the electrode (1) is moved away from the workpiece (2) to an intervention point (M)--in a direction perpendicular to the path (6) used for trim cutting; at the intervention point (M), one or several measures to eliminate the short circuit are executed once or several times; and after it has been detected that the short circuit is eliminated, the electrode (1) is moved back to the point (K) where the short circuit occurred, whereafter normal machining continues.

Claims27

Dependent claims

A method for trim cutting by fine machining with spark erosion of a workpiece with a wire electrode, comprising the steps of:

a) continuously monitoring at least one gap parameter for detecting a short circuit;
b) arresting the forward motion of the wire electrode upon detecting a short circuit at a point (K) where the short circuit occurred;
c) moving the electrode away from the workpiece to an intervention point (M) upon persisting of the short circuit, in the direction perpendicular to a trim cutting path;
d) carrying out at least a first measure to eliminate the short circuit at the intervention point (M) at least one time;
e) upon detecting the elimination of the short circuit, moving the electrode back to the point (K) where the short circuit occurred;
and continuing machining.

3 more elements

A spark erosion apparatus for trim cutting by fine machining with spark erosion of a workpiece with a wire electrode, comprising

a) a monitor for continuously monitoring one gap parameter for the detecting a short circuit, the monitor having
b) control means connected to the monitor, said control means comprises:
b.1) arrest means, which after receiving an output signal from the monitor indicating that a short circuit has been detected, arrest the forward motion of the electrode at the point (K) where the short circuit occurred;
b.2) first moving means, which if the short circuit persists, move the electrode away from the workpiece to an intervention point (M)--in a direction perpendicular to the path used for trim cutting;
b.3) execution means which at the intervention point (M) executes at least once at least one measure to eliminate the short circuit;
and
b.4) second moving means, which, after detecting that the short circuit is eliminated, moves the electrode back to the point (K) where the short circuit occurred, whereafter machining continues.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method and apparatus for fine machining with spark erosion using a wire electrode

Life of this patent

Method and apparatus for fine machining with spark erosion using a wire electrode

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims27