A drilling tool for use in machining a conductive work piece is provided. The tool includes a body portion, a forward electrode coupled to the body portion, and at least one side electrode coupled to the body portion. When electric current is supplied to the forward electrode and the at least one side electrode, material adjacent to the forward electrode and the at least one side electrode is removed from the conductive work piece. Further, the forward electrode 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 body portion, a forward electrode coupled to the body portion, and at least one side electrode coupled to the body portion. When electric current is supplied to the forward electrode and the at least one side electrode, material adjacent to the forward electrode and the at least one side electrode is removed from the conductive work piece. Further, the forward electrode 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.

An electrochemical machining tool (3) includes a tool body (10) which has an electrode (11) which is made of a flexible conductive material having a cylindrical shape extending along an axis (O), and inside which an electrolyte (W) flows toward a leading end (10a) side, and an insulating layer (12) coated on an outer circumferential surface of the electrode (11) to expose a leading end surface of the electrode (11), wherein a non-insulation section (15) which exposes the outer circumferential surface of the electrode (11) is formed on the tool body (11), and the non-insulation section (15) is surrounded by the insulating layer (12) from an axial (O) direction.

An electrochemical machining tool (3) includes a tool body (10) which has an electrode (11) which is made of a flexible conductive material having a cylindrical shape extending along an axis (O), and inside which an electrolyte (W) flows toward a leading end (10a) side, and an insulating layer (12) coated on an outer circumferential surface of the electrode (11) to expose a leading end surface of the electrode (11), wherein a non-insulation section (15) which exposes the outer circumferential surface of the electrode (11) is formed on the tool body (11), and the non-insulation section (15) is surrounded by the insulating layer (12) from an axial (O) direction.

The present invention is an electrochemical machining tool equipped with a tool body that comprises: an electrode that extends along an axial line and inside which a flow channel through which an electrolytic solution flows towards the tip end is formed; an insulating layer covering the outer circumferential surface of the electrode so as to expose the tip end face of the electrode; and a flow channel-partitioning part for partitioning the flow channel into a first flow channel containing the axial line and a second flow channel positioned on the outer circumferential side of the first flow channel. The electrochemical machining tool has a configuration in which a fluid outflow section for directing electrolytic solution, which is flowing through the second flow channel, outward in the radial direction of the tool body is formed on a portion of the circumference of the tool body.

The present invention is an electrochemical machining tool equipped with a tool body that comprises: an electrode that extends along an axial line and inside which a flow channel through which an electrolytic solution flows towards the tip end is formed; an insulating layer covering the outer circumferential surface of the electrode so as to expose the tip end face of the electrode; and a flow channel-partitioning part for partitioning the flow channel into a first flow channel containing the axial line and a second flow channel positioned on the outer circumferential side of the first flow channel. The electrochemical machining tool has a configuration in which a fluid outflow section for directing electrolytic solution, which is flowing through the second flow channel, outward in the radial direction of the tool body is formed on a portion of the circumference of the tool body.

A drilling tool for use in machining a conductive work piece that includes a forward electrode tip including an outer radial portion and an inner radial portion. The outer radial portion includes a forward face, and the inner radial portion extends from the forward face of the outer radial portion. The drilling tool further includes a dielectric sheath that extends circumferentially about the outer radial portion, at least one side electrode coupled to the dielectric sheath, and a protective sheath that extends circumferentially about the dielectric sheath. An opening is defined in the protective sheath such that the at least one side electrode is at least partially exposed.

A drilling tool for use in machining a conductive work piece that includes a forward electrode tip including an outer radial portion and an inner radial portion. The outer radial portion includes a forward face, and the inner radial portion extends from the forward face of the outer radial portion. The drilling tool further includes a dielectric sheath that extends circumferentially about the outer radial portion, at least one side electrode coupled to the dielectric sheath, and a protective sheath that extends circumferentially about the dielectric sheath. An opening is defined in the protective sheath such that the at least one side electrode is at least partially exposed.

A method is provided comprising identifying an alignment point of a workpiece; positioning a first end of an electrode in the direction of the alignment point of the workpiece; applying a first voltage to the electrode wherein the applied first voltage generates a spark; rotating the electrode in a first direction; advancing the electrode toward the alignment point by a first distance wherein advancing the electrode and applying the first voltage creates a first orifice section; applying a second voltage to the electrode and modifying one or more operational parameters of the electrode; advancing the electrode toward the alignment point by a second distance wherein advancing the electrode and applying the second voltage causes formation of at least a second orifice section; wherein the first and second orifice sections cooperate to form an orifice comprising a first flow area and a second flow area.

A method is provided comprising identifying an alignment point of a workpiece; positioning a first end of an electrode in the direction of the alignment point of the workpiece; applying a first voltage to the electrode wherein the applied first voltage generates a spark; rotating the electrode in a first direction; advancing the electrode toward the alignment point by a first distance wherein advancing the electrode and applying the first voltage creates a first orifice section; applying a second voltage to the electrode and modifying one or more operational parameters of the electrode; advancing the electrode toward the alignment point by a second distance wherein advancing the electrode and applying the second voltage causes formation of at least a second orifice section; wherein the first and second orifice sections cooperate to form an orifice comprising a first flow area and a second flow area.