Multi-axis numerical control electromachining of bladed disks
AssigneeGeneral Electric Company
InventorsBin Wei, Roger Etherington, Michael Lamphere
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A multi-axis machine, with numerical control on each axis, is used to drive the tool and workpiece movements necessary to machining complex airfoil geometry. Tooling is typically made of a metal such as brass or other low cost material and rotates during machining. The tooling may be any shape(cylindrical, conical) and size depending on application. A DC power (continuous or pulsed) is used to provide voltage across the tool and workpiece. A medium such as water, de-ionized water, or electrolyte (such as sodium nitrite) is provided between the tool and workpiece. Workpiece metal is removed in a controlled manner by high intensity thermal erosion.
Claims23
A multi-axis numerically controlled electromachining device comprising:
- a rotatable tool electrode made of a metal to induce controlled workpiece metal removal via high intensity thermal erosion;
- and
- a numerical control device operatively connected with the tool to control movement of the tool about a plurality of axes to machine complex geometrical configurations, the numerical control device being configured to:
- control a supply of electrical power to the tool,
- monitor erosion intensity by sensing erosion current, determine if persistent arcing or short-circuiting is occurring between a work piece and the tool, and regulate tool feed speed with respect to the work piece by:
- increasing tool feed speed if the erosion intensity is below a set level, and
- reducing tool feed speed if persistent arcing or short-circuiting is occurring.
A method of multi-axis numerically controlled electromachining comprising the steps of:
- rotating a rotatable tool to induce controlled workpiece metal removal via high intensity electro thermal erosion;
- moving the tool about a plurality of axes using a numerical control device operatively connected with the tool to machine complex geometrical configurations;
- monitoring erosion intensity;
- determining if persistent arcing or short-circuiting is occurring;
- and
- regulating tool feed speed with respect to a work piece by:
- increasing tool feed speed if the erosion intensity is below a set level;
- and
- reducing tool feed speed if persistent arcing or short-circuiting is occurring.
A method as set forth 18, comprising the step of delivering fluid from a source of fluid to the tool and between the tool and a workpiece.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.