Electro-hydraulic forming machine with electrodes that advance within a fluid chamber toward a workpiece

A gap discharge electro-hydraulic forming (EHF) machine for forming a part, the EHF machine comprising:

• a chamber defining an opening;
• a fluid contained in the chamber;
• a one-sided forming die that is assembled to the chamber with the part disposed between the chamber and the die;
• and
• an electrode assembly including:
• a body that is received in the opening;
• a first electrode that is assembled to the body and includes an anti-rotation connector that prevents the first electrode from rotating relative to the body as a result of discharge;
• a second electrode that is assembled to the body, includes an anti-rotation connector that prevents the second electrode from rotating relative to the body as a result of discharge, and is spaced from the first electrode to define a gap between the first and second electrodes;
• a circuit connected to the first and second electrodes that creates a potential voltage difference between the first and second electrodes that is selectively discharged across the gap;
• wherein the length of the gap remains fixed during and between successive discharges, and wherein the spacing between the gap and the part is changed by moving the body relative to the chamber to vary the intensity of the force applied to the part when the circuit is discharged across the gap.