Method and apparatus for electrode dressing
AssigneeROLLS-ROYCE plc
InventorAlexander Xidacis
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An electric discharge machine template fixture (40) suitable for EDM redressing operations, the fixture (40) comprising a body (42) capable of holding a template (50) and capable of rotating the template (50) about its central axis (58) for consecutive redressing operations.
Claims22
An electric discharge machine template fixture suitable for EDM electrode redressing operations, the fixture comprising:
- a body comprising a formation constructed to hold a template and allow rotation of the template about its central axis for consecutive electrical current redressing operations, wherein the formation generally conforms to the shape of the template.
An electric discharge machine template suitable for use in a complimentary electric discharge machine template fixture and capable of redressing an EDM electrode, the fixture comprises holding means for engaging the template to prevent rotation thereof, having a sprung arm attached to the fixture capable of engaging a template, wherein the template comprises an annular array of angled teeth, the shape of the teeth and the arrangement of the arm allow rotation only in one direction of a predetermined amount.
A method of electric discharge machining, the electric discharge machine comprising:
- a housing;
- an electrode nose guide;
- a movable arm;
- and
- a fixture for holding a component to be machined, the movable arm is arranged to carry a template fixture suitable for electrode redressing operations, the method comprises the steps of:
- d) machining the component;
- e) pivoting the arm into a position to permit redressing of the electrode on the template;
- and
- f) rotating a template being held in the template fixture about its central axis for consecutive redressing operations.
An electric discharge machine template fixture suitable for EDM electrode redressing operations, the fixture comprising:
- a body having means for holding a template, wherein the means is capable of allowing rotation of the template about its central axis for consecutive electrical current redressing operations, and wherein the means for holding a template and allow rotation thereof comprises a sprung arm attached to the fixture and capable of engaging a complimentarily shaped template, the template comprising an annular array of angled teeth.
An electric discharge machine template fixture suitable for EDM electrode redressing operations, the fixture comprising:
- a body having means for holding a template, wherein the means is capable of allowing rotation of the template about its central axis for consecutive electrical current redressing operations, the means for holding a template and allow rotation thereof comprises an extension of a static part formed on the template, and when the arm automatically swings away from and back to the static part the arm rotates the template a predetermined amount.
An electric discharge machine template fixture suitable for EDM electrode redressing operations, the fixture comprising:
- a body having means for holding a conductive template, wherein the means is capable of allowing rotation of the template about its central axis for consecutive electrical current redressing operations, wherein an indicator, audible or visual, is provided and is capable of warning the user that a complete rotation of contact points has been completed or requires replacement and that the template requires turning over or the fixture requires moving.
An electric discharge machine template suitable for use in a complimentary electric discharge machine template fixture and capable of redressing an EDM electrode, characterized in that the template is polygonal or part polygonal.
An electric discharge machine template suitable for use in a complimentary electric discharge machine template fixture and capable of redressing an EDM electrode, characterised in that the template comprises interlocking features which are capable of interlocking with corresponding features formed by the fixture.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.