An EDM machine includes a machine head, a wire guide, a machining wire extending from the wire guide to the machine head, a rotary table mounted to a first surface and a fixed table mounted to the rotary table, and a fixture mounted to the fixed table. The fixture includes a mounting portion substantially circumscribing the fixture. The mounting portion further includes a mounting surface. The mounting surface is closer to a first surface than an upper surface of the fixed table.

A method for the monitoring of a wire electrical discharge machining (WEDM) process, the method comprising the steps of: setting a unit observation length for the signal acquisition, continuously acquiring at least one process signal which is representative of an amount of material removed by at least one discharge and the position (X;Y) of said at least one discharge, and determining, based on said at least one process signal and one or more properties of a current machining, a cumulated amount of material removed per unit observation length along a machining path, including amounts of material removed by travelling in a forward cutting direction and amounts of material removed by travelling in a reverse cutting direction.

A method for the monitoring of a wire electrical discharge machining (WEDM) process, the method comprising the steps of: setting a unit observation length for the signal acquisition, continuously acquiring at least one process signal which is representative of an amount of material removed by at least one discharge and the position (X;Y) of said at least one discharge, and determining, based on said at least one process signal and one or more properties of a current machining, a cumulated amount of material removed per unit observation length along a machining path, including amounts of material removed by travelling in a forward cutting direction and amounts of material removed by travelling in a reverse cutting direction.

A multi-loop controller component for an electric discharge machining (EDM) system includes a plurality of power loop circuits coupled to an output of a power supply of the EDM system and configured to receive DC electric power from the power supply. Each power loop circuits electrically-isolated from other power loop circuits. The multi-loop controller component also includes a plurality of transistors. Each transistor is coupled to a respective power loop circuit and is configured to switch between an ON state and an OFF state to generate a pulse of the DC electric power through the respective power loop circuit. In addition, the multi-loop controller component has a drive controller coupled to the plurality of transistors. The drive controller is configured to transmit at least one control signal to at least one of the transistors to facilitate switching the transistor between the ON state and the OFF state.

A method is provided comprising identifying an alignment point of a workpiece; positioning a first end of an electrode in the direction of the alignment point of the workpiece; applying a first voltage to the electrode wherein the applied first voltage generates a spark; rotating the electrode in a first direction; advancing the electrode toward the alignment point by a first distance wherein advancing the electrode and applying the first voltage creates a first orifice section; applying a second voltage to the electrode and modifying one or more operational parameters of the electrode; advancing the electrode toward the alignment point by a second distance wherein advancing the electrode and applying the second voltage causes formation of at least a second orifice section; wherein the first and second orifice sections cooperate to form an orifice comprising a first flow area and a second flow area.

A method is provided comprising identifying an alignment point of a workpiece; positioning a first end of an electrode in the direction of the alignment point of the workpiece; applying a first voltage to the electrode wherein the applied first voltage generates a spark; rotating the electrode in a first direction; advancing the electrode toward the alignment point by a first distance wherein advancing the electrode and applying the first voltage creates a first orifice section; applying a second voltage to the electrode and modifying one or more operational parameters of the electrode; advancing the electrode toward the alignment point by a second distance wherein advancing the electrode and applying the second voltage causes formation of at least a second orifice section; wherein the first and second orifice sections cooperate to form an orifice comprising a first flow area and a second flow area.

A machining program editor that edits a machining program in which a machining path for a wire electrode of a wire electrical discharge machine is set, the machining program editor including: a path determination unit configured to determine whether or not the machining path includes a linear path section that crosses a boundary line between a thick portion of a workpiece and a thin portion of the workpiece, a thickness of the thin portion being smaller than a thickness of the thick portion in an extending direction of the wire electrode; and a path compensator configured to compensate the machining path so as to form, in the thin portion over a predetermined distance, a protrusion projecting outward from the boundary line when the path determination unit determines that the linear path section is included.

An estimation method and a control device for a wire electrical discharge machine, for estimating whether a wire electrode has disconnected on the basis of information obtained from a motor included in a feed mechanism of the wire electrode. The control device is provided with a roller for feeding a wire electrode in a direction of feeding out, and a motor for causing the roller to rotate. The control device includes: an acquisition unit for acquiring a value for a disturbance load based on a drive current of the motor, a value for the rotational speed of the motor, and/or a value for a torque command for causing the motor to rotate at a commanded speed determined in advance; and an estimation unit for estimating whether the wire electrode has disconnected on the basis of the disturbance load, the rotational speed, and/or the torque command acquired by the acquisition unit.

An estimation method and a control device for a wire electrical discharge machine, for estimating whether a wire electrode has disconnected on the basis of information obtained from a motor included in a feed mechanism of the wire electrode. The control device is provided with a roller for feeding a wire electrode in a direction of feeding out, and a motor for causing the roller to rotate. The control device includes: an acquisition unit for acquiring a value for a disturbance load based on a drive current of the motor, a value for the rotational speed of the motor, and/or a value for a torque command for causing the motor to rotate at a commanded speed determined in advance; and an estimation unit for estimating whether the wire electrode has disconnected on the basis of the disturbance load, the rotational speed, and/or the torque command acquired by the acquisition unit.

An electric discharge machining unit capable of stably supplying working fluid to the vicinity of a portion to be machined. The electric discharge machining unit includes a tool electrode, a housing, an electrode guide, and a working fluid supplying device. The housing includes a fitting hole having a tapered surface. A first supply path is formed in the housing. The electrode guide includes a tapered portion and an ejection opening formed on a lower surface. A first flow path is formed in the electrode guide. The tapered portion is configured to be fitted into the fitting hole to connect the first flow path to the first supply path. The working fluid supplied from the working fluid supplying device to the first supply path and the first flow path is ejected from the ejection opening.