A wire electrical discharge machine for performing electrical discharge machining on a workpiece by applying voltage across an electrode gap between a wire electrode stretched between an upper nozzle and a lower nozzle and the workpiece to generate electrical discharges, includes a lifting mechanism configured to move the workpiece in the travelling direction of the wire electrode.

A wire electrical discharge machine for performing electrical discharge machining on a workpiece by applying voltage across an electrode gap between a wire electrode stretched between an upper nozzle and a lower nozzle and the workpiece to generate electrical discharges, includes a lifting mechanism configured to move the workpiece in the travelling direction of the wire electrode.

The disclosure provides an electric discharge machining apparatus. The apparatus includes: temperature sensors respectively attached to an upper portion, a middle portion, and a lower portion of the electric discharge machining apparatus and measuring temperatures of the electric discharge machining apparatus at predetermined time intervals; a control device calculating values of temperature environment diagnostic indexes, which are indexes for determining machining accuracy of the workpiece obtained when electric discharge machining is performed in a current temperature environment, from measurement results of the temperature sensors, comparing the values of the temperature environment diagnostic indexes with reference values of the temperature environment diagnostic indexes recommended for achieving desired machining accuracy, and outputting determination results indicating a degree of whether the current temperature environment around the electric discharge machining apparatus is appropriate for achieving the desired machining accuracy according to differences; and a storage part storing the reference values and the determination results.

The disclosure provides an electric discharge machining apparatus. The apparatus includes: temperature sensors respectively attached to an upper portion, a middle portion, and a lower portion of the electric discharge machining apparatus and measuring temperatures of the electric discharge machining apparatus at predetermined time intervals; a control device calculating values of temperature environment diagnostic indexes, which are indexes for determining machining accuracy of the workpiece obtained when electric discharge machining is performed in a current temperature environment, from measurement results of the temperature sensors, comparing the values of the temperature environment diagnostic indexes with reference values of the temperature environment diagnostic indexes recommended for achieving desired machining accuracy, and outputting determination results indicating a degree of whether the current temperature environment around the electric discharge machining apparatus is appropriate for achieving the desired machining accuracy according to differences; and a storage part storing the reference values and the determination results.

A wire electrical discharge machine includes: a gap voltage detector for detecting a voltage across an electrode gap; a first voltage control unit for applying a first voltage to the electrode gap; a discharge determiner for determining whether or not the electrode gap is in a discharging state during application of the first voltage; and a second voltage control unit for supplying a machining current through the electrode gap when the electrode gap is in a discharging state. After a supply of the machining current to the electrode gap, even when a discharge is induced by the next application of the first voltage to the electrode gap, the second voltage control unit prohibits application of a second voltage to the electrode gap.

A method for hole formation using an electrical discharge machining tool configured to penetrate metal. The method includes the steps of: penetrating the metal using an electrode to form a hole by moving the electrode away from a starting point; verifying that the hole is complete using the electrical discharge machine; and wherein the verifying step includes the step of probing the hole with the electrode.

A machining time-estimating method for a wire electrical discharge machine for estimating the remaining machining time (Tr) during the machining of a workpiece comprises: a step for setting a predicted machining velocity; a step for determining the actual machining velocity; a step for determining an estimated machining velocity so as to incorporate the predicted machining velocity and the actual machining velocity at a specified ratio, that is, a reference ratio; and a step for calculating remaining machining time from the estimated machining velocity. By executing the actual machining velocity-determining step to the remaining machining time-calculating step repeatedly to estimate remaining machining time moment by moment, remaining wire electrical discharge machining time is estimated with reduced error.

A machining time-estimating method for a wire electrical discharge machine for estimating the remaining machining time (Tr) during the machining of a workpiece comprises: a step for setting a predicted machining velocity; a step for determining the actual machining velocity; a step for determining an estimated machining velocity so as to incorporate the predicted machining velocity and the actual machining velocity at a specified ratio, that is, a reference ratio; and a step for calculating remaining machining time from the estimated machining velocity. By executing the actual machining velocity-determining step to the remaining machining time-calculating step repeatedly to estimate remaining machining time moment by moment, remaining wire electrical discharge machining time is estimated with reduced error.

A deburring subassembly has a controller to generate an electrical current and move a deburring tool bit from a non-deburring position to a range of deburring positions. The electrical current permits deburring of the workpiece without damaging it. A workpiece securement subassembly secures the workpiece for formation on a computer numerical controlled (CNC) machine tool and also holds the workpiece in place for deburring. The electrical current is provided to a deburring tool bit. The controller thereby controls movement of the deburring tool bit to the range of deburring positions and generates the electrical current to deburr the workpiece.

A deburring subassembly has a controller to generate an electrical current and move a deburring tool bit from a non-deburring position to a range of deburring positions. The electrical current permits deburring of the workpiece without damaging it. A workpiece securement subassembly secures the workpiece for formation on a computer numerical controlled (CNC) machine tool and also holds the workpiece in place for deburring. The electrical current is provided to a deburring tool bit. The controller thereby controls movement of the deburring tool bit to the range of deburring positions and generates the electrical current to deburr the workpiece.