An electrode assembly for electrochemically machining a cavity of a component is disclosed. The electrode assembly comprises: an electrode, a mounting body, and an urging means. The electrode comprises a plurality of conductive elements, including an outermost conductive element. The mounting body is coupled to the electrode and engageable with the component to align the electrode within the cavity. The urging means is configured to transition the electrode from a movable configuration to a conforming configuration. In the movable configuration the conductive elements are moveable relative to one another. In the conforming configuration adjacent conductive elements align to define a substantially continuous outer electrode surface.

An electrode assembly for electrochemically machining a cavity of a component is disclosed. The electrode assembly comprises: an electrode, a mounting body, and an urging means. The electrode comprises a plurality of conductive elements, including an outermost conductive element. The mounting body is coupled to the electrode and engageable with the component to align the electrode within the cavity. The urging means is configured to transition the electrode from a movable configuration to a conforming configuration. In the movable configuration the conductive elements are moveable relative to one another. In the conforming configuration adjacent conductive elements align to define a substantially continuous outer electrode surface.

The present invention describes a method for marking an object (18), the object (18) having a surface of a conductive material. The method comprises a step of applying an electric spark to the surface such that the material is at least one of partially melted and partially ablated by the electric spark, thereby forming a pattern on the object (18). Further, the present application relates to a marking system (10) for marking an object (18) using a spark generator (12) having a counter electrode (14) and a connector (16) for electrically connecting the spark generator (12) to the surface of the object (18) to be marked. Further, the present application relates to an authenticating system for authenticating or identifying an object (18) marked by the above described method for marking the object (18).

The present invention describes a method for marking an object (18), the object (18) having a surface of a conductive material. The method comprises a step of applying an electric spark to the surface such that the material is at least one of partially melted and partially ablated by the electric spark, thereby forming a pattern on the object (18). Further, the present application relates to a marking system (10) for marking an object (18) using a spark generator (12) having a counter electrode (14) and a connector (16) for electrically connecting the spark generator (12) to the surface of the object (18) to be marked. Further, the present application relates to an authenticating system for authenticating or identifying an object (18) marked by the above described method for marking the object (18).

The present invention relates to a device comprising a device casing and a first and second flexible contact extending from the casing, each comprising a mounting means and a flexible applicator portion extending therefrom, wherein the first and second flexible contacts are each adapted to receive conductive fluid and subsequently to apply the conductive fluid to a surface, and one of the first and second flexible contacts is positively charged, and the other is negatively charged, relative to one another.

An electrochemical machining apparatus with a clamping device and an electrode aligned in the same direction includes a platen, a lower seat, an anode electrode and a cathode electrode. The platen and the lower seat are located relatively for clamping. A working space is formed between the platen and the lower seat for allowing a workpiece to be placed therein. The anode electrode is disposed on the platen and is electrically connected to the workpiece. The cathode electrode is disposed inside the lower seat and is corresponding to the working space. An isolation layer is disposed between the cathode electrode and the lower seat to avoid an electrical connection. A working gap with a constant distance is preserved between the cathode electrode and the workpiece for allowing an electrolyte to flow therethrough and performing electrochemical machining.

An electrochemical machining apparatus with a clamping device and an electrode aligned in the same direction includes a platen, a lower seat, an anode electrode and a cathode electrode. The platen and the lower seat are located relatively for clamping. A working space is formed between the platen and the lower seat for allowing a workpiece to be placed therein. The anode electrode is disposed on the platen and is electrically connected to the workpiece. The cathode electrode is disposed inside the lower seat and is corresponding to the working space. An isolation layer is disposed between the cathode electrode and the lower seat to avoid an electrical connection. A working gap with a constant distance is preserved between the cathode electrode and the workpiece for allowing an electrolyte to flow therethrough and performing electrochemical machining.

A method for manufacturing a pivot bearing (1) for the pivoting of a timepiece component (2), in particular a pivot stone, includes:boring (E1) a hole (10a) in a bearing blank (1a) along an axis (A1) intended for the pivoting of a timepiece component (2), this hole (10a) forming a start point (13a) of a first pivot zone (13) of the bearing (1), thenlaser engraving (E2), in the blank (1a), in particular using a femtosecond laser, a second clearance zone (14) of the bearing (1), juxtaposed with the start point (13a) of a first pivot zone (13), this second clearance zone (14) of the bearing (1) opening at a first face (11a) of the bearing (1) blank (1a), thenremoving material by wear (E3), in particular by olive-cutting, at the start point (13a) of the first pivot zone (13) of the bearing (1) and a boundary zone (14a) between the start point (13a) and the second clearance zone (14) of the bearing (1) in order to form a first pivot zone (13) and a second clearance zone (14) that are juxtaposed, connected to each other by a rounded connection.

A method for manufacturing a pivot bearing (1) for the pivoting of a timepiece component (2), in particular a pivot stone, includes:boring (E1) a hole (10a) in a bearing blank (1a) along an axis (A1) intended for the pivoting of a timepiece component (2), this hole (10a) forming a start point (13a) of a first pivot zone (13) of the bearing (1), thenlaser engraving (E2), in the blank (1a), in particular using a femtosecond laser, a second clearance zone (14) of the bearing (1), juxtaposed with the start point (13a) of a first pivot zone (13), this second clearance zone (14) of the bearing (1) opening at a first face (11a) of the bearing (1) blank (1a), thenremoving material by wear (E3), in particular by olive-cutting, at the start point (13a) of the first pivot zone (13) of the bearing (1) and a boundary zone (14a) between the start point (13a) and the second clearance zone (14) of the bearing (1) in order to form a first pivot zone (13) and a second clearance zone (14) that are juxtaposed, connected to each other by a rounded connection.

The invention relates to a method and device for electrical Wire electrical discharge machining method (WEDM) for forming a desired pattern on a workpiece by a WEDM machine tool, in which a preliminary voltage pulse is applied to a gap between a wire electrode and a workpiece, and in which, at the breakdown of said preliminary voltage pulse, a first machining discharge pulse is applied to the wire electrode.