A drilling tool for use in machining a conductive work piece is provided. The tool includes a forward electrode tip that includes an outer radial portion and an inner radial portion that extends from a forward face of the outer radial portion. The tool also includes a dielectric sheath that extends circumferentially about the outer radial portion, and at least one side electrode coupled to the dielectric sheath. When electric current is supplied to the forward electrode tip and the at least one side electrode, material adjacent to the forward electrode tip and the at least one side electrode is removed from the conductive work piece. The forward electrode tip and the at least one side electrode are selectively operable to form a bore hole having a variable geometry that extends through the conductive work piece when the material is removed therefrom.

A drilling tool for use in machining a conductive work piece is provided. The tool includes a forward electrode tip that includes an outer radial portion and an inner radial portion that extends from a forward face of the outer radial portion. The tool also includes a dielectric sheath that extends circumferentially about the outer radial portion, and at least one side electrode coupled to the dielectric sheath. When electric current is supplied to the forward electrode tip and the at least one side electrode, material adjacent to the forward electrode tip and the at least one side electrode is removed from the conductive work piece. The forward electrode tip and the at least one side electrode are selectively operable to form a bore hole having a variable geometry that extends through the conductive work piece when the material is removed therefrom.

Provided is an electrode capable of increasing a degree of freedom in machining shape with a simple structure, an electrochemical machining apparatus using the electrode, an electrochemical machining method, and a product machined by the method. An electrode 4 has a core tube 41 formed of a material by which a second hole 101b having a direction or a curvature different from that of a first hole 101a having a predetermined curvature can be formed continuously from the first hole 101a and a coating 42 fixed to an outer periphery of the core tube 41.

Provided is an electrode capable of increasing a degree of freedom in machining shape with a simple structure, an electrochemical machining apparatus using the electrode, an electrochemical machining method, and a product machined by the method. An electrode 4 has a core tube 41 formed of a material by which a second hole 101b having a direction or a curvature different from that of a first hole 101a having a predetermined curvature can be formed continuously from the first hole 101a and a coating 42 fixed to an outer periphery of the core tube 41.

In order to easily form curved holes and straight holes of desired shapes, an electrochemical machining tool of the present invention comprises a tool body including: an electrode made from an electrically conductive material in a cylindrical shape extending along an axial line and having flexibility, an electrolytic solution flowing through an internal flow channel of the electrode toward a tip side; and an insulating layer coated on an outer circumferential face of the electrode so as to expose the tip of the electrode. A fluid outflow hole is formed in the tool body, passing through the tool body in a radial direction and guiding the electrolytic solution flowing through the flow channel outward in the radial direction, and the electrochemical machining tool further comprises a tube-shaped member selectively opening and closing the fluid outflow hole.

In order to easily form curved holes and straight holes of desired shapes, an electrochemical machining tool of the present invention comprises a tool body including: an electrode made from an electrically conductive material in a cylindrical shape extending along an axial line and having flexibility, an electrolytic solution flowing through an internal flow channel of the electrode toward a tip side; and an insulating layer coated on an outer circumferential face of the electrode so as to expose the tip of the electrode. A fluid outflow hole is formed in the tool body, passing through the tool body in a radial direction and guiding the electrolytic solution flowing through the flow channel outward in the radial direction, and the electrochemical machining tool further comprises a tube-shaped member selectively opening and closing the fluid outflow hole.

An electrochemical machining system for machining a conductive work piece is provided. The system includes a drilling tool configured to remove material from the conductive work piece. The drilling tool is configured to advance within the conductive work piece along a tool path to form a bore hole having a variable geometry that extends through the conductive work piece when the material is removed therefrom. The system further includes an inspection device configured to determine a position of the drilling tool along the tool path, and a controller configured to communicate with the inspection device. The controller is further configured to compare the tool path to a nominal tool path, and determine a position error of said drilling tool, the position error defined by a difference between the tool path and the nominal tool path.

An electrochemical machining system for machining a conductive work piece is provided. The system includes a drilling tool configured to remove material from the conductive work piece. The drilling tool is configured to advance within the conductive work piece along a tool path to form a bore hole having a variable geometry that extends through the conductive work piece when the material is removed therefrom. The system further includes an inspection device configured to determine a position of the drilling tool along the tool path, and a controller configured to communicate with the inspection device. The controller is further configured to compare the tool path to a nominal tool path, and determine a position error of said drilling tool, the position error defined by a difference between the tool path and the nominal tool path.

Provided is an electrochemical machining apparatus, which includes an electrode (3) that form of a shape which a tube shape is extended, including a flexible conductive material, and is which an electrolyte (W) circulates from a base end side (3b) thereof toward a distal end side (3a) thereof, a current supply unit (6) that causes electric current to flow with respect to the electrode (3) in an extending direction (direction running the Y direction) in which the electrode (3) extends, and a magnetic field generation unit (7) that includes at least one pair of magnets (9) which are disposed to face the electrodes (3) a direction and apply a magnetic field in a direction (X direction) intersecting the extending direction with respect to the electrodes (3).

Provided is an electrochemical machining apparatus, which includes an electrode (3) that form of a shape which a tube shape is extended, including a flexible conductive material, and is which an electrolyte (W) circulates from a base end side (3b) thereof toward a distal end side (3a) thereof, a current supply unit (6) that causes electric current to flow with respect to the electrode (3) in an extending direction (direction running the Y direction) in which the electrode (3) extends, and a magnetic field generation unit (7) that includes at least one pair of magnets (9) which are disposed to face the electrodes (3) a direction and apply a magnetic field in a direction (X direction) intersecting the extending direction with respect to the electrodes (3).