An electrical discharge machining (EDM) electrodes and associated methods are provided. An EDM electrode includes a holder rotatable about a rotation axis and a plurality of electrode elements attached to the holder and circumferentially arranged around the rotation axis. Respective positions of the electrode elements are radially adjustable relative to the rotation axis.

Grinding and/or erosion machine (10) for machining a chip-cutting rotary tool including a tool body (18) and several cutting plates (19) per existing pitch (TR). A control device (25) activates an axis arrangement (11) to move a machine tool (12) and the rotary tool (13) to be machined relative to each other. An interface device (26) triggers a data import function for reading-in the position data of the cutting plates (19). The position data (P) describe at least one angular value (1, 2), a first length value (z1) and a second length value (z2). The control device (25) imports the position data (P) in chaotic order and allocates the position data (P) of each cutting plate (19) in the imported machine data set (M) to respectively one separate virtual pitch (TV), independent of whether the cutting plates (19) belong to a common pitch of the rotary tool (13).

Grinding and/or erosion machine (10) for machining a chip-cutting rotary tool including a tool body (18) and several cutting plates (19) per existing pitch (TR). A control device (25) activates an axis arrangement (11) to move a machine tool (12) and the rotary tool (13) to be machined relative to each other. An interface device (26) triggers a data import function for reading-in the position data of the cutting plates (19). The position data (P) describe at least one angular value (1, 2), a first length value (z1) and a second length value (z2). The control device (25) imports the position data (P) in chaotic order and allocates the position data (P) of each cutting plate (19) in the imported machine data set (M) to respectively one separate virtual pitch (TV), independent of whether the cutting plates (19) belong to a common pitch of the rotary tool (13).

An apparatus for electrically machining including a rotatable shaft and an electrode for electrically machining is disclosed. The electrode is movably connected to the rotatable shaft. When the rotatable shaft is rotated, the electrode rotates together with the rotatable shaft and moves relative to the rotatable shaft under an action of centrifugal force. Further disclosed is a method for electrically machining including: movably connecting an electrode to a rotatable shaft; inserting the rotatable shaft into a hole in a workpiece, and keeping a gap between the electrode and the workpiece, wherein the hole has a first diameter; powering on the electrode and the workpiece; rotating the rotatable shaft in the hole to generate centrifugal force; and pushing the electrode relative to the rotatable shaft towards the workpiece under an action of the centrifugal force to remove a portion of a material of the hole.

An apparatus for electrically machining including a rotatable shaft and an electrode for electrically machining is disclosed. The electrode is movably connected to the rotatable shaft. When the rotatable shaft is rotated, the electrode rotates together with the rotatable shaft and moves relative to the rotatable shaft under an action of centrifugal force. Further disclosed is a method for electrically machining including: movably connecting an electrode to a rotatable shaft; inserting the rotatable shaft into a hole in a workpiece, and keeping a gap between the electrode and the workpiece, wherein the hole has a first diameter; powering on the electrode and the workpiece; rotating the rotatable shaft in the hole to generate centrifugal force; and pushing the electrode relative to the rotatable shaft towards the workpiece under an action of the centrifugal force to remove a portion of a material of the hole.

EDM assemblies mount on a machining surface and discharge rotating sub-electrodes against the surface. The sub-electrodes can also revolve about another shared axis while discharging. Rotation and revolution may be achieved with planetary gears fixed with the sub-electrodes and meshing with a stationary sun gear. Several sub-electrodes can be used in a single assembly. Downward movement of the sub-electrodes from a central shaft on the mount allows several inches of the surface to be machined. Assemblies are usable in a nuclear reactor during a maintenance period to machine a hole for a replacement manway cover underwater in the flooded reactor. The differing rotational movements and vertical movement can be independently controlled with separate motors in the assembly. Power and controls may be provided remotely through an underwater connection.

EDM assemblies mount on a machining surface and discharge rotating sub-electrodes against the surface. The sub-electrodes can also revolve about another shared axis while discharging. Rotation and revolution may be achieved with planetary gears fixed with the sub-electrodes and meshing with a stationary sun gear. Several sub-electrodes can be used in a single assembly. Downward movement of the sub-electrodes from a central shaft on the mount allows several inches of the surface to be machined. Assemblies are usable in a nuclear reactor during a maintenance period to machine a hole for a replacement manway cover underwater in the flooded reactor. The differing rotational movements and vertical movement can be independently controlled with separate motors in the assembly. Power and controls may be provided remotely through an underwater connection.

An electrode for use in an electromachining system includes a base and an outer rim extending circumferentially about the base. The electrode also includes a body extending between the base and the outer rim. The body defines a concave surface. The electrode is configured to discharge electrical arcs from the concave surface when electrical current is provided to the electrode.

An electrode for use in an electromachining system includes a base and an outer rim extending circumferentially about the base. The electrode also includes a body extending between the base and the outer rim. The body defines a concave surface. The electrode is configured to discharge electrical arcs from the concave surface when electrical current is provided to the electrode.

The present disclosure provides an electrochemical machining device and a method for a blisk using an electrode array, which relate to the technical field of electrochemical machining. The electrochemical machining device comprises an outer ring-shaped rotating ring, an inner ring-shaped base and a plurality of cathode rods. An inner diameter of the outer ring-shaped rotating ring is larger than an outer diameter of the inner ring-shaped base, and an inner diameter of the inner ring-shaped base is larger than an outer diameter of the blisk. The outer ring-shaped rotating ring and the inner ring-shaped base are coaxially arranged. Middle parts of the cathode rods are connected with the inner ring-shaped base, outer ends of the cathode rods are rotatably connected with the outer ring-shaped rotating ring, and inner ends of the cathode rods are provided with trepanning cathode pieces or radial feeding electrodes.