A method of making a light weight component is provided. The method including the steps of: forming a metallic foam core into a desired configuration; applying an external metallic shell to an exterior surface of the metallic foam core after it has been formed into the desired configuration; and attenuating the component to a desired frequency by forming a plurality of openings in the external metallic shell.

A replacement determination method: detects the remaining length of the electrode; detects the electrical discharge commencement position, being the position of the electrode when electrical discharge starts; detects the throughole position, being the position of the electrode when the workpiece is pierced; sets the required length for the electrode as required for machining the next throughhole, on the basis of the difference between the detected electrical discharge commencement position and the detected throughole position; compares the detected remaining length and the set required length; and determines whether or not electrode replacement is required.

In an electrical discharge machine, the top end of a vertically extending electrode is supported by an electrode holder so as to be able to be raised and lowered, the circumferential surface of the bottom end of said electrode is supported by an electrode guide that is disposed so as to be able to move vertically with respect to the electrode holder, and the position of said electrode guide is detected by a position detection unit. This electrical discharge machine is provided with a work-tank raising/lowering device. During electrical discharge machining, said work-tank raising/lowering device raises/lowers a work tank, in accordance with the electrode-guide position (Hg) detected by the position detection unit, so as to set the distance from a prescribed part of the work tank to the electrode-guide position (Hg) equal to a prescribed value (Ha).

A method of forming a component for a gas turbine engine, including: casting a component around a ceramic core, wherein the ceramic core forms a pilot channel (40) in the component, the pilot channel oriented from a base (176) to a tip (20) of the component; sinking an ECM electrode into the pilot channel; and enlarging the pilot channel to form an inner surface of an external wall (120) of the component via electro-chemical machining, wherein a contour (94) of the inner surface is different than a contour of the pilot channel.

It is an object to provide a small-hole electrical discharge machining device to discharge the machining debris efficiently and to drill a small hole by electrical discharge machining at a high speed.

It is an object to provide a small-hole electrical discharge machining device to discharge the machining debris efficiently and to drill a small hole by electrical discharge machining at a high speed.

A machining apparatus includes a curved outer conduit, a curved rotary electrode and a driving motor. The outer conduit has a cavity and a fluid inlet in fluid communication with the cavity. The electrode includes a flexible shaft positioned in the cavity and having a first end and a second end, and a machining head having a fluid outlet in fluid communication with the cavity and electrically connected with the first end of the flexible shaft to be powered via the flexible shaft. The motor is mechanically coupled to the second end of the flexible shaft for driving the flexible shaft to rotate. A machining system includes the machining apparatus, a power supply for powering the flexible shaft, an electrolyte supply for providing electrolyte to the fluid inlet and a machine tool onto which the outer conduit and the motor are positioned.

A machining apparatus includes a curved outer conduit, a curved rotary electrode and a driving motor. The outer conduit has a cavity and a fluid inlet in fluid communication with the cavity. The electrode includes a flexible shaft positioned in the cavity and having a first end and a second end, and a machining head having a fluid outlet in fluid communication with the cavity and electrically connected with the first end of the flexible shaft to be powered via the flexible shaft. The motor is mechanically coupled to the second end of the flexible shaft for driving the flexible shaft to rotate. A machining system includes the machining apparatus, a power supply for powering the flexible shaft, an electrolyte supply for providing electrolyte to the fluid inlet and a machine tool onto which the outer conduit and the motor are positioned.

Systems and methods according to one or more embodiments are provided for forming canted holes in materials. In one example, a forming angle and a central axis for a vent through a panel is determined. A vent is formed in the panel about the central axis along the forming angle. The angled vent is formed with a circular shape at a first opening of the vent on a first surface of the panel when viewed at an angle perpendicular to the first surface of the panel. Additional systems and methods are also provided.

Systems and methods according to one or more embodiments are provided for forming canted holes in materials. In one example, a forming angle and a central axis for a vent through a panel is determined. A vent is formed in the panel about the central axis along the forming angle. The angled vent is formed with a circular shape at a first opening of the vent on a first surface of the panel when viewed at an angle perpendicular to the first surface of the panel. Additional systems and methods are also provided.