Electric heating – Metal heating – Cutting or disintegrating
Reexamination Certificate
1999-08-05
2001-12-04
Elve, M. Alexandra (Department: 1725)
Electric heating
Metal heating
Cutting or disintegrating
C219S069120, C219S069110, C219S069140, C219S069200
Reexamination Certificate
active
06326579
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to machining and, more particularly, to using an electric discharge machine to machine a work piece.
Electric discharge machining is a process for machining electrical parts and power generation hardware, particularly when high precision is required. High precision machining enhances the efficiency and performance of the parts and work hardware. Precision machining is not only desired for small components, but is needed for larger power generation hardware which is heavy and awkward to handle.
Electric discharge machines typically include a working tank in which the work piece is at least partially submerged in a dielectric liquid. Since at least a portion of the work piece is submerged, the physical size of the work piece is limited by the interference of the working tank. Tanks are typically configured to receive light work pieces and are not sized to accommodate large, heavy work pieces. As a result, larger and heavier work pieces must be tooled and machined using manual tooling and machining methods. Such methods are laborious, depend on the skill of the operator, and are expensive and slow.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In an exemplary embodiment, an electric discharge machine includes a machine base configured to support large and heavy work pieces in comparison to known systems. The machine base includes a y-axis alignment assembly having a first direction of travel and mounted to the machine base, an electrode alignment assembly mounted to the machine base which is configured to receive an electrode during a machining process and has a second, a third, and a fourth direction of travel. Additionally, the machine base includes a rotary indexer configured to support the work piece and moves in a fifth direction of travel.
In operation, the electric discharge machine is automatically controlled by a computer which includes a processor for controlling a plurality of servo drives. The servo drives are connected to the y-axis alignment assembly and the electrode alignment assembly and control the movement of the electrode and the work piece in the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth directions of travel. The electric discharge machine eliminates more costly and more complicated known machining equipment and is highly precise, reliable, cost-effective, and is configured for machining large and heavy work pieces.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4016395 (1977-04-01), Rietveld
patent: 4841126 (1989-06-01), Greber
patent: 5744775 (1998-04-01), Yasuda et al.
Ball Charles L.
Krawczyk David M.
Elve M. Alexandra
General Electric Company
Hess Andrew C.
Ramaswamy V.
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