A solar cell assembly (200) is presented. The solar cell assembly includes one or more solar cell units (211) coupled in series. The solar cell unit includes a first solar cell series (221) and a second solar cell series (222) connected in parallel. The first and second solar cell series include a plurality of solar cells (202) connecting in series respectively. The solar cell assembly also includes a by-pass diode (201) coupled to each solar cell unit and shared between the first and second solar cell series in each solar cell unit.

An electric discharge machine is configured to perform electric discharge machining on a workpiece in a working fluid stored in a work-pan. The electric discharge machine includes: a measurement piping coupled to the work-pan and having an air space inside; a pressure sensor configured to detect a pressure of the air space; and a working fluid supply portion configured to supply the working fluid to the measurement piping.

The present invention is concerned with a superhydrophobic surface arrangement, an article having the same and a method of making same. The arrangement is configured for generating, upon contact by water droplets, pancaking bouncing and reducing liquid contact time. The arrangement has an array of posts residing on a surface and extending from the surface, said posts having an elongate configuration with a base portion at one end and an upper portion at an opposite end. By way of the configuration of the posts and the Weber number the surface arrangement in use pancake bouncing of liquid droplets and reduction of contact time of the liquid droplets are effected.

Methods of repairing a part having a firtree-shaped feature requiring rework are disclosed. An embodiment of the method includes receiving the part having the firtree-shaped feature requiring rework. The part is installed in a machine configured for wire electrical discharge machining (EDM). A location of the firtree-shaped feature relative to a datum of the machine is then determined. Wire EDM is performed on the firtree-shaped feature.

A fixture holds a specimen during electrical discharge machining of the specimen and prevents tensile test samples cut from the specimen from bending or curving during the electrical discharge machining. The fixture has first engagement surfaces that clamp to one end of the specimen and has second engagement surfaces that clamp to the opposite end of the specimen during electrical discharge machining of the specimen. The fixture clamping to opposite ends of the specimen prevents the tensile test samples cut from the specimen from bending during electrical discharge machining of the specimen.

A spark erosion machine includes a frame with a space for spark erosion of a workpiece, a wire for cutting by spark erosion, and a wire guide head for guiding the wire across the workpiece, so as to detach an offcut from it; an offcut support mounted movably relative to the guide head, the support being configured to move at least between a retention position under the spark erosion space, where it can collect the offcut, and a retracted position; and an offcut extractor.

To provide a wire electric discharge machine which suppresses the machining speed and machining precision from declining, as well as enabling flexible handling in relation to the shapes of various workpieces, and the generation of sludge and gases which varies accompanying the progression of wire electric discharge machining. A wire electric discharge machine that performs electric discharge machining on a workpiece by causing a wire electrode and the workpiece to relatively move, includes an articulated robot, and a suction mechanism provided to a wrist leading end of the articulated robot, and suctions machining waste and gas generated by wire electric discharge machining.

To provide a wire electric discharge machine which suppresses the machining speed and machining precision from declining, as well as enabling flexible handling in relation to the shapes of various workpieces, and the generation of sludge and gases which varies accompanying the progression of wire electric discharge machining. A wire electric discharge machine that performs electric discharge machining on a workpiece by causing a wire electrode and the workpiece to relatively move, includes an articulated robot, and a suction mechanism provided to a wrist leading end of the articulated robot, and suctions machining waste and gas generated by wire electric discharge machining.

A wire electrical discharge machine includes: a drive controller configured to periodically apply voltage pulses between a workpiece and a wire electrode while relatively moving the wire electrode relative to the workpiece according to a machining program and a machining condition; a code analyzer configured to analyze the presence or absence of a condition change code for changing the machining condition in the machining program; and a condition changer configured to change the machining condition in accordance with a ratio indicated in the condition change code when the condition change code is present.

A wire electrical discharge machine includes: a drive controller configured to periodically apply voltage pulses between a workpiece and a wire electrode while relatively moving the wire electrode relative to the workpiece according to a machining program and a machining condition; a code analyzer configured to analyze the presence or absence of a condition change code for changing the machining condition in the machining program; and a condition changer configured to change the machining condition in accordance with a ratio indicated in the condition change code when the condition change code is present.