A method for profile machining comprises: providing an electrode having an electrode axis, a free axial end with an end face, and a peripheral surface other than the end face; energizing the electrode and a workpiece having a thickness, with one of the workpiece and the electrode as an anode and the other as a cathode; and machining the workpiece with the peripheral surface of the electrode, during which the peripheral surface and the electrode axis of the electrode are across the workpiece in a thickness direction thereof. In addition, an embodiment of present invention relates to a component machined by the method.

A dielectric gel for use in electro-discharge machining. Aspects of the dielectric gel include a liquid solvent phase entrapped in a three-dimensionally cross-linked fibre network.

A dielectric gel for use in electro-discharge machining. Aspects of the dielectric gel include a liquid solvent phase entrapped in a three-dimensionally cross-linked fibre network.

A cutting electrode head for a handheld electrical discharge machining (EDM) device comprising: a housing; a cutting electrode supported in the housing, and configured to move from a retracted position to an extended position along an electrode axis (C) to cut a workpiece; and an actuator supported in the housing and movable along a movement axis (E) which is at an angle to the electrode axis (C), wherein movement of the actuator along the movement axis (E) causes the cutting electrode to move between its retracted and extended positions.

A cutting electrode head for a handheld electrical discharge machining (EDM) device comprising: a housing; a cutting electrode supported in the housing, and configured to move from a retracted position to an extended position along an electrode axis (C) to cut a workpiece; and an actuator supported in the housing and movable along a movement axis (E) which is at an angle to the electrode axis (C), wherein movement of the actuator along the movement axis (E) causes the cutting electrode to move between its retracted and extended positions.

A compact lower guide unit that allows the electrode guide to be attached and detached more easily and reliably. Provided is a lower guide unit including a housing, an electrode guide, and a pull-up mechanism having a guide support, links, and a power cylinder. The guide support includes a biasing member and a displacement member. The biasing member can bias the displacement member, and the displacement member can be displaced between a restriction position and a release position. The links can be rotated by a force applied by the power cylinder. The electrode guide is fixed to the guide support by a biasing force of the biasing member when the displacement member is in the restriction position, and the electrode guide is released from the lower guide unit when the displacement member is displaced to the release position.

A compact lower guide unit that allows the electrode guide to be attached and detached more easily and reliably. Provided is a lower guide unit including a housing, an electrode guide, and a pull-up mechanism having a guide support, links, and a power cylinder. The guide support includes a biasing member and a displacement member. The biasing member can bias the displacement member, and the displacement member can be displaced between a restriction position and a release position. The links can be rotated by a force applied by the power cylinder. The electrode guide is fixed to the guide support by a biasing force of the biasing member when the displacement member is in the restriction position, and the electrode guide is released from the lower guide unit when the displacement member is displaced to the release position.

The present invention relates to an electric discharge machining oil composition and an electric discharge machining method capable of enhancing machining speed in electric discharge machining. This electric discharge machining oil composition is characterized by including (A) a base oil, and (B) one or more types of petroleum resin selected from hydrogenated products of copolymers of dicyclopentadiene and an aromatic compound and having a softening point of 75 to 185 C. and a mean molecular weight (Mn) of 670 to 3000, wherein the kinematic viscosity of the electric discharge machining oil composition at 40 C. is 1 to 10 mm.sup.2/s. Further, the electric discharge machining method is characterized by employing said electric discharge machining oil composition, and includes interposing the electric discharge machining oil composition between a workpiece and an electrode, and generating an electric discharge between the workpiece and the electrode in this state to machine the workpiece.

The present invention relates to an electric discharge machining oil composition and an electric discharge machining method capable of enhancing machining speed in electric discharge machining. This electric discharge machining oil composition is characterized by including (A) a base oil, and (B) one or more types of petroleum resin selected from hydrogenated products of copolymers of dicyclopentadiene and an aromatic compound and having a softening point of 75 to 185 C. and a mean molecular weight (Mn) of 670 to 3000, wherein the kinematic viscosity of the electric discharge machining oil composition at 40 C. is 1 to 10 mm.sup.2/s. Further, the electric discharge machining method is characterized by employing said electric discharge machining oil composition, and includes interposing the electric discharge machining oil composition between a workpiece and an electrode, and generating an electric discharge between the workpiece and the electrode in this state to machine the workpiece.

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.