Tool electrodes for and methods of electrical discharge machining are provided. In one exemplary aspect, a tool electrode for machining features into a workpiece is provided that allows for increased machining speed without sacrificing the quality of the machined features. Moreover, a tool electrode is provided that eliminates or reduces the high cost associated with customized tool electrodes. In particular, a tool electrode is provided that includes a plurality of electrode elements arranged and spaced apart in a digitized matrix representative of a tooling shape for machining features into a workpiece. The plurality of electrode elements are spaced apart from one another and arranged in the digitized matrix by digitizing an analog electrode tool configured to machine the feature into the workpiece or a volume of the feature to be machined into the workpiece.

Provided is an electrochemical machine. More particularly, provided is an electrochemical machine which removes an electrolytic product generated while electrochemical machining (ECM) so as to improve the quality of ECM and allows micro ECM. The electrochemical machine according to an embodiment of the present invention may include: a processing tub filled with an electrolyte; a processed object immersed in the electrolyte filled in the processing tub; a storage unit for storing the electrolyte; an electrolyte supply unit for supplying the electrolyte stored in the storage unit to the processing tub; a manifold comprising an inflow path, to which the electrolyte supplied by the electrolyte supply unit flows, and an outflow path connected to the inflow path for discharging the electrolyte flowing to the inflow path to the processed object, wherein a discharge hole of the outflow path is immersed in the electrolyte filled in the processing tub; an electrode which is fixed to the manifold so as for one end thereof to pass the outflow path and to be projected toward a lower part of the discharge hole and is electrically connected to the processed object; and a power unit for supplying power to the electrode and the processed object.

An electrode guide assembly for an EDM process includes a guide tube having a first end and a second end, a fluid feed portion, a fluid return portion, and an electrode. The guide tube has a set of at least two supporting protrusions, with the protrusions projecting radially inwardly from an inner diametral surface of the guide tube. The electrode is slidably accommodated within the guide tube, with an outer diametral surface of the electrode abutting against the set of supporting protrusions. The first end of the guide tube is in fluid communication with the second end of the guide tube to thereby provide a fluid feed channel, and the second end of the guide tube is in fluid communication with the first end of the guide tube to thereby provide a fluid return channel.

The invention relates to the production of a device for holding one or more electrode(s) for electrical discharge machining, comprising a body (41) having a rectilinear portion (43a) in which at least one first duct (45) is provided for the passage of one or more electrode(s) (21). The body further has an integral curved portion (43b) in which (at least) one second curved dielectric fluid supply duct (47) is provided and in which is provided a curved extension (45b) of said at least one first duct. The curved extension and the second curved duct are made of ceramic, with an inner mean roughness of: Ra<2 m.

The present disclosure provides an electrochemical machining apparatus including a pressurized tank, a cap, a stabilizing plate, a guiding element, and an electrode. The pressurizing tank has a top surface and a chamber, wherein the top surface is disposed with an opening and a limiting portion. The cap fits in the opening and is limited by the limiting portion to seal the pressurized tank. The stabilizing plate is spaced from the top surface or the cap by a distance. The guiding element penetrates the stabilizing plate to connect with the cap and provides a channel to the chamber. The electrode is guided by the guiding element and penetrates the chamber via the channel. When the electrode processes a workpiece in the chamber during an electrochemical machining operation, the cap takes a pressure generated during the electrochemical machining operation, and the stabilizing plate stabilizes the electrode and the guiding element.

A method for preprocessing data related to a tool electrode, which is applied in an EDM machine to manufacture a part comprises: generating an electrode model for the tool electrode based on the geometry of the part; generating the cavity shape model (volume of the part to erode), combining the electrode and cavity shape model, dividing the resulting model into a plurality of slices in a plurality of parallel planes, wherein at least one slice is composed of at least two sections, which are topologically disconnected; and generating for each slice a slice-geometry data, and generating an electrode-geometry data including the slice-geometry data.

A machining method for three-dimensional open flow channel using high-speed arc discharge layered sweep, which arranges an axial line of an installation shaft of a tool electrode with six degrees of freedom to be perpendicular to an axial line of a to-be machined work piece in an arc discharge process, with the tool electrode sweeping in a closed path in a plane or a curved surface perpendicular to the installation shaft, wherein the path of the sweeping satisfies: a space of an enveloped space being formed by the tool electrode moving in the path and being coincident with a removed portion of the work piece does not exceed a preset machined cavity of the flow channel. The present invention is based on high-speed arc discharge of hydrodynamic arc breaking and realized layered milling and surface machining for three-dimensional open flow channels.

An electrode guide for use in electrical discharge machining is described, along with methods for construction and use. A notch can be made in a portion of the guide to allow for greater maneuverability in situations of small clearances. An alternative embodiment uses a bridge offset to achieve greater maneuverability and range of motion.

Provided is an electrochemical machine. More particularly, provided is an electrochemical machine which removes an electrolytic product generated while electrochemical machining (ECM) so as to improve the quality of ECM and allows micro ECM. The electrochemical machine according to an embodiment of the present invention may include: a processing tub filled with an electrolyte; a processed object immersed in the electrolyte filled in the processing tub; a storage unit for storing the electrolyte; an electrolyte supply unit for supplying the electrolyte stored in the storage unit to the processing tub; a manifold comprising an inflow path, to which the electrolyte supplied by the electrolyte supply unit flows, and an outflow path connected to the inflow path for discharging the electrolyte flowing to the inflow path to the processed object, wherein a discharge hole of the outflow path is immersed in the electrolyte filled in the processing tub; an electrode which is fixed to the manifold so as for one end thereof to pass the outflow path and to be projected toward a lower part of the discharge hole and is electrically connected to the processed object; and a power unit for supplying power to the electrode and the processed object.

The present disclosure concerns an electrode holder (100, 200) for electrical discharge machining, the electrode holder (100) comprising: a frame (103) having a first end (104) and an opposing second end (105); and a cartridge (110, 200) moveably mounted to the frame (103) and having a resilient sealing member (201) with a series of holes (308) each configured to receive a first end of one of a plurality of tubular electrodes (102, 301), the cartridge (110, 200) having an inlet for receiving a pressurised supply of dielectric fluid for transmission to each of the tubular electrodes (102, 301), wherein a cross-section of the resilient sealing member (201) in a plane parallel to a longitudinal direction of the tubular electrodes (102, 301) has a narrow central portion (305) between broader outer portions (306, 307).