The invention relates to a method and a device for electrochemically processing a material, which contains a hard phase and a binder phase. The method comprises preparing an aqueous, alkaline, complexing-agent-containing electrolyte and bringing the material to be processed into contact at least in part with the electrolyte and with a current source. In order to electrochemically oxidize the material, a pulsed electrical current is delivered to the material by means of the current source, the pulse sequence of the delivered electrical current being adjusted to the amount of the binder phase in the material to be processed. By means of the method and by means of the device, it is also possible to process materials having a high content of binder phase in such a way that matter can be removed from the material evenly (homogeneously), i.e. both from the hard phase and from the binder phase of the material.

A method for the monitoring of a wire electrical discharge machining (WEDM) process, the method comprising the steps of: setting a unit observation length for the signal acquisition, continuously acquiring at least one process signal which is representative of an amount of material removed by at least one discharge and the position (X;Y) of said at least one discharge, and determining, based on said at least one process signal and one or more properties of a current machining, a cumulated amount of material removed per unit observation length along a machining path, including amounts of material removed by travelling in a forward cutting direction and amounts of material removed by travelling in a reverse cutting direction.

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.

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.

The present invention relates to an electric discharge machining device. The electric discharge machining device includes: a first switch provided between the positive pole of a power supply and a work piece; a second switch provided between the negative pole of the power supply and the work piece; a third switch provided between the negative pole of the power supply and a tool electrode; a fourth switch provided between the positive pole of the power supply and the tool electrode; and a pulse generating device. In order to supply current pulses with a straight polarity, the pulse generating device repeatedly switches on and off either the first or third switch while the other switch is on. In order to supply current pulses with a reverse polarity, the pulse generating device repeatedly switches on and off either the second or fourth switch while the other switch is on.

The present invention relates to an electric discharge machining device. The electric discharge machining device includes: a first switch provided between the positive pole of a power supply and a work piece; a second switch provided between the negative pole of the power supply and the work piece; a third switch provided between the negative pole of the power supply and a tool electrode; a fourth switch provided between the positive pole of the power supply and the tool electrode; and a pulse generating device. In order to supply current pulses with a straight polarity, the pulse generating device repeatedly switches on and off either the first or third switch while the other switch is on. In order to supply current pulses with a reverse polarity, the pulse generating device repeatedly switches on and off either the second or fourth switch while the other switch is on.

An electrical discharge machining device provided, using a floating capacitance to provide a machining target with improved surface roughness. An electrical discharge machining device 1 includes a current supply circuit 3 that supplies a current to a gap between an electrode 17 and a machining target 19 so as to provide electrical discharge machining. A floating capacitance portion 21 occurs between the electrode 17 and the machining target 19 in the electrical discharge machining. The floating capacitance portion 21 supplies its stored charge to the gap in the electrical discharge machining. A capacitor 11 stores a charge before the floating capacitance portion 21 is discharged. After the floating capacitance portion is discharged, the capacitor 11 charges the floating capacitance portion 21. The floating capacitance portion 21 is discharged again after it is charged. Such an operation generates a pulse current, thereby providing electrical discharge machining.

An electrical discharge machining device provided, using a floating capacitance to provide a machining target with improved surface roughness. An electrical discharge machining device 1 includes a current supply circuit 3 that supplies a current to a gap between an electrode 17 and a machining target 19 so as to provide electrical discharge machining. A floating capacitance portion 21 occurs between the electrode 17 and the machining target 19 in the electrical discharge machining. The floating capacitance portion 21 supplies its stored charge to the gap in the electrical discharge machining. A capacitor 11 stores a charge before the floating capacitance portion 21 is discharged. After the floating capacitance portion is discharged, the capacitor 11 charges the floating capacitance portion 21. The floating capacitance portion 21 is discharged again after it is charged. Such an operation generates a pulse current, thereby providing electrical discharge machining.

The invention relates to a method and a device for electrochemically processing a material, which contains a hard phase and a binder phase. The method comprises preparing an aqueous, alkaline, complexing-agent-containing electrolyte and bringing the material to be processed into contact at least in part with the electrolyte and with a current source. In order to electrochemically oxidize the material, a pulsed electrical current is delivered to the material by means of the current source, the pulse sequence of the delivered electrical current being adjusted to the amount of the binder phase in the material to be processed. By means of the method and by means of the device, it is also possible to process materials having a high content of binder phase in such a way that matter can be removed from the material evenly (homogeneously), i.e. both from the hard phase and from the binder phase of the material.

The invention relates to a method and a device for electrochemically processing a material, which contains a hard phase and a binder phase. The method comprises preparing an aqueous, alkaline, complexing-agent-containing electrolyte and bringing the material to be processed into contact at least in part with the electrolyte and with a current source. In order to electrochemically oxidize the material, a pulsed electrical current is delivered to the material by means of the current source, the pulse sequence of the delivered electrical current being adjusted to the amount of the binder phase in the material to be processed. By means of the method and by means of the device, it is also possible to process materials having a high content of binder phase in such a way that matter can be removed from the material evenly (homogeneously), i.e. both from the hard phase and from the binder phase of the material.