Abstract:
A wire electrode cutting apparatus for use in a wire-cut electric discharge machine mounted between a supply section for the wire electrode and a pulling section therefor, and comprising a device for applying a constant tensile force to the wire electrode and for sensing that the constant tensile force has been applied thereto, and a power supply for applying an electric current to the wire electrode to heat the same when a predetermined tensile force has been applied thereto.
Abstract:
A CNC process for displacing a movable member along a path on an intricate surface in a three-dimensional coordinate system is disclosed in which the surface is divided into a plurality of elementary characteristic regions each individually definable as one of different geometrical categories such as toroidal, spherical, cylindrical and planar surfaces. The process comprises establishing a general equation for each of these categories and storing the established general equations into a memory unit for a computer. Data required to adapt each of the stored general equations to a corresponding one of the characteristic regions in the three-dimensional coordinate system are inputted into the computer to reduce the general equations to their respective specific equations in which no more than three coordinates are variable. A sequence of incremental two-dimensional positions defined in the system by first and second coordinates thereof are inputted into the computer to allow it to compute, for each position on the path, the value of the third coordinate from the first and second coordinates and the specific equations, thereby determining the path along which the member is moved.
Abstract:
A method of and an apparatus for machining an electrically conductive workpiece with a wire electrode which is originally ferromagnetic or becomes ferromagnetic in the machining zone wherein the magnetic properties of the wire are detected as it passes out of the machining zone and the detected magnetic properties are used to control a machining parameter.
Abstract:
AT (automatic threading) of wire through a workpiece without the need for a preformed through-hole therein is achieved on a TW (traveling-wire) electroerosion machine (TW-E machine) by utilizing a tubular electroerosion electrode positioned in axial alignment with a wire-threading path. Wire from a wire supply is introduced into the tubular electrode so as to extend through a tool holder therefor. The tubular electrode is advanced along the wire-threading path into and through the workpiece while electroerosively forming a bore therein. Wire is dispensed from the supply to allow wire to move out of the tubular electrode while the latter at least partially remains in the bore so that the wire passes into the wire outlet side of the cutting zone towards a takeup assembly. The tubular electrode may then be retracted along the wire-threading path from the workpiece while leaving wire in the bore finished in the workpiece.
Abstract:
A measuring system using the magnetic scale and a sensing head measures a deformation of a deformable member and/or one or more physical quantities, e.g. a strain and internal stress of, or an external force to, the member, which are functions of the deformation. The magnetic scale comprises a succession of discrete, uniformly spaced scaling units each of which individually consists of a pair of magnetic poles (N, S). The magnetic scale is arranged to be displaceable relative to the magnetic sensing head in response to a deformation of the deformable member so that the magnetic pickup head successively senses the passage of the magnetic scaling units. An output circuit unit is connected to the magnetic head for counting the number of magnetic scaling units sensed corresponding to the deformation and produces an electrical output signal representative thereof, and/or one or more of the above physical quantities.
Abstract:
A safety system for a machine tool, e.g. an EDM machine, having a multiplicity of different items of setting procedure to be attended to manually and inspected by the operator before the machine is actuated for performing a given machining operation, employs a loudspeaker associated with the machine. A control unit is used to produce a preselected sequence of multiple, time-spaced electrical signals corresponding to multiple verbal instructions prescribed for alerting the different setting items, respectively, and to apply these signals in that sequence to an electromechanical transducer in the loudspeaker. The transducer responsive to each of the electrical signals produces through the loudspeaker a corresponding unit of the multiple verbal instructions audible to the operator for a corresponding item of the setting procedure. A manual switch is provided so as to be actuated by the operator upon his checking of the item to produce an OK signal therefor, which is applied to the control unit to allow a next of the electrical signals in the prescribed sequence to be issued, thereby permitting the loudspeaker to emit a next corresponding unit of the multiple verbal instructions audible to the operator for a next corresponding item of the setting procedure.
Abstract:
An EDM method and apparatus, utilizing a generic electrode, i.e. a tool electrode independent in shape of a desired cavity or contour to be machined in a workpiece, and utilizing a three-dimensional machining feed displacement, makes use of an assembly for maintaining the contamination of the machining liquid with machining products, e.g. chips and gases, at a certain enhanced level. The assembly includes a pad or block member disposed in the proximity of the workpiece with a small spacing therewith while surrounding the generic electrode to mechanically control or limit discharging of the machining products out of the EDM gap, thereby enabling a stabilized production of machining electrical discharges across the EDM gap maintained substantially constant.
Abstract:
Wire-cut electroerosion method and apparatus whereby breakage of an electrode wire is substantially prevented by limiting air-bubbling in the cutting zone from the electrode wire traveling through a liquid-machining medium. The air-bubbling is limited by cleaning the electrode wire advancing from its storage reel prior to its entry into the cutting zone supplied with the liquid machining medium. The electrode wire may be cleaned by brushing the wire between the storage reel and the wire-braking roller and thereafter cleansed by a showering fluid. Preferably, ultrasonic vibrations are applied to the showering fluid. The braking rollers and a wire-conducting roller are also provided with brushes to prevent contaminants from being introduced onto the cleaned electrode wire by these rollers.
Abstract:
A capacitor-type power supply for electrical machining has a capacitor connected across a machining gap and in the region thereof while a high-frequency power generator is disposed at a location remote from the machining gap and provides a high-frequency electric power. A feeder connects the power generator with the capacitor to permit the capacitor to be charged with pulses of the high-frequency electrical power. The system permits the high-frequency source to be located distally from the machining gap.
Abstract:
A novel method of polishing a workpiece surface comprises passing over the surface in elastically compressive abrasive contact therewith a mass of discrete, elastically deformable pieces each individually consisting of a matrix of elastomeric material containing finely divided abrasive particles substantially uniformly distributed at least along a surface region of the individual piece.