A method of manufacturing a gear, the method includes applying a first charge to a workpiece and applying a second, opposite charge to an electrochemical machining (ECM) attachment, the ECM attachment having a pattern. The method further includes simultaneously forming a plurality of surfaces of a gear tooth in the workpiece using the pattern of the ECM attachment while applying the first charge to the workpiece and applying the second charge to the ECM attachment and turning the workpiece and the ECM attachment in opposite rotational directions. The plurality of surfaces includes at least one end face and a top land of the gear tooth.

An electrochemical machining apparatus being capable of performing multiple points and multiple angles machining is provided. The electrochemical machining apparatus includes at least one electrode member, a guiding member and an actuation member. The electrode member includes a conductive end and a free end, wherein the electrode member is rigid and unbendable. The guiding member is for limiting and guiding the electrode member to move. The actuation member is for exerting a force to the free end of the electrode member, thereby enabling the conductive end of the electrode member to form angle variations. A force-exerting direction from the actuation member to the free end is parallel to a central axis of the electrode member or deflects off the central axis so as to form the angle variations.

An electrochemical machining apparatus being capable of performing multiple points and multiple angles machining is provided. The electrochemical machining apparatus includes at least one electrode member, a guiding member and an actuation member. The electrode member includes a conductive end and a free end, wherein the electrode member is rigid and unbendable. The guiding member is for limiting and guiding the electrode member to move. The actuation member is for exerting a force to the free end of the electrode member, thereby enabling the conductive end of the electrode member to form angle variations. A force-exerting direction from the actuation member to the free end is parallel to a central axis of the electrode member or deflects off the central axis so as to form the angle variations.

A wire electrical discharge machine includes: a supporting member for relatively moving a wire electrode relative to a measurement target; servomotors for moving the supporting member; a setting changer for changing the setting of a directive speed; and a motor controller that controls the servomotors in performing move-and-contact detection for detecting contact between the wire electrode and the measurement target by moving the two relative to each other, so that the wire electrode is moved relative to the measurement target based on the directive speed changed and specified by the setting changer.

A wire electrical discharge machine includes: a supporting member for relatively moving a wire electrode relative to a measurement target; servomotors for moving the supporting member; a setting changer for changing the setting of a directive speed; and a motor controller that controls the servomotors in performing move-and-contact detection for detecting contact between the wire electrode and the measurement target by moving the two relative to each other, so that the wire electrode is moved relative to the measurement target based on the directive speed changed and specified by the setting changer.

An electrochemical machining device includes a plurality of electrodes, a guiding member and a plate member. The electrodes are disposed around a workpiece. The guiding member is configured to limit and guide each of the electrodes to move. The plate member is configured to exert a force to each of the electrodes. The driving member is configured to rotate the workpiece. The plate member is connected to each of the electrodes. A force-exerting direction of the force from the plate member to each of the electrodes is parallel to a central axis of each of the electrodes or deflects off the central axis. Each of the electrodes is passed through the guiding member and configured to perform a machining on the workpiece which is rotated by the driving member, and each of the electrodes has an electrochemical machining direction which is perpendicular, oblique or parallel to the workpiece.

An electrochemical machining device includes a plurality of electrodes, a guiding member and a plate member. The electrodes are disposed around a workpiece. The guiding member is configured to limit and guide each of the electrodes to move. The plate member is configured to exert a force to each of the electrodes. The driving member is configured to rotate the workpiece. The plate member is connected to each of the electrodes. A force-exerting direction of the force from the plate member to each of the electrodes is parallel to a central axis of each of the electrodes or deflects off the central axis. Each of the electrodes is passed through the guiding member and configured to perform a machining on the workpiece which is rotated by the driving member, and each of the electrodes has an electrochemical machining direction which is perpendicular, oblique or parallel to the workpiece.

A wire electric discharge machine has a function of performing correction of corner shapes independently on an upper surface and a lower surface of workpiece. On the basis of the positions of upper and lower wire guides and the position and the thickness of the workpiece, the wire electric discharge machine calculates, on the upper and lower surfaces of the workpiece, a shape correction amount in a state in which there is a space between the upper nozzle and the upper surface of the workpiece and also in which there is a space between the lower nozzle and the lower surface of the workpiece, from a correction amount at the time when nozzles of the upper and lower wire guides are closely attached to the upper and lower surfaces of the workpiece. The wire electric discharge machine performs shape correction according to the calculated shape correction amount.

A wire electric discharge machine has a function of performing correction of corner shapes independently on an upper surface and a lower surface of workpiece. On the basis of the positions of upper and lower wire guides and the position and the thickness of the workpiece, the wire electric discharge machine calculates, on the upper and lower surfaces of the workpiece, a shape correction amount in a state in which there is a space between the upper nozzle and the upper surface of the workpiece and also in which there is a space between the lower nozzle and the lower surface of the workpiece, from a correction amount at the time when nozzles of the upper and lower wire guides are closely attached to the upper and lower surfaces of the workpiece. The wire electric discharge machine performs shape correction according to the calculated shape correction amount.

An electrical discharge machining (EDM) system, control system and related methods. Various embodiments include a control system for controlling a plurality of electrode devices in an EDM system to form holes in a workpiece. The control system can be configured to perform a process including: initiating a hole formation program for each of the plurality of electrode devices; determining whether at least one electrode has completed formation of a corresponding hole in the workpiece; and separating at least one electrode from the workpiece in response to determining that at least one electrode has completed formation of the corresponding hole.