An EDT apparatus 1 is disclosed, comprising a dielectric fluid return system for use with an EDT machine of the type in which the workpiece is not submersed in dielectric fluid. The return system comprises a first collector 19 for catching spills from a dielectric bath 9 associated with a set of electrodes 10 which apply electrical pulses to the workpiece through the dielectric fluid in the bath. Also, a separate, second collector 21 is positioned substantially beneath the workpiece and arranged both to receive fluid from the first collector 19 and to catch fluid that drips from the workpiece itself, the second collector being connected to a pump 13 which returns the fluid from the second collector to the dielectric bath.

An EDT apparatus 1 is disclosed, comprising a dielectric fluid return system for use with an EDT machine of the type in which the workpiece is not submersed in dielectric fluid. The return system comprises a first collector 19 for catching spills from a dielectric bath 9 associated with a set of electrodes 10 which apply electrical pulses to the workpiece through the dielectric fluid in the bath. Also, a separate, second collector 21 is positioned substantially beneath the workpiece and arranged both to receive fluid from the first collector 19 and to catch fluid that drips from the workpiece itself, the second collector being connected to a pump 13 which returns the fluid from the second collector to the dielectric bath.

The present invention is directed to a current feeding device for the supply of electrical current to a wire electrode traveling in an electro-erosion machine during the machining operation. The current feeding device comprising: a rotary electrically conductive body which is in contact with the wire electrode; at least one bearing for supporting the rotary electrically conductive body at one side; and a brush for electrically contacting the rotary electrically conductive body and for supporting the rotary electrically conductive body at the other side of the body and opposite side to the bearing. The brush is at the rotary axis of the rotary electrically conductive body.

A method of patterning a cylindrical tool, including providing a stamp including a base and a layer of solid state ionic conductor thereon, applying a negative of a predetermined pattern of features on a major surface of the solid state ionic conductor, providing a cylindrical tool having a metallic surface positioned proximate the stamp, and applying an electric field between the metallic surface and a cathode while moving the stamp against the metallic surface in rolling line contact so as to impart the predetermined pattern of features onto the metallic surface, wherein the cathode is either the base or a conductive element positioned adjacent to the base. The positive of the predetermined pattern of features may include a multiplicity of nano-sized features.

An EDT apparatus 1 is disclosed, comprising a dielectric fluid return system for use with an EDT machine of the type in which the workpiece is not submersed in dielectric fluid. The return system comprises a first collector 19 for catching spills from a dielectric bath 9 associated with a set of electrodes 10 which apply electrical pulses to the workpiece through the dielectric fluid in the bath. Also, a separate, second collector 21 is positioned substantially beneath the workpiece and arranged both to receive fluid from the first collector 19 and to catch fluid that drips from the workpiece itself, the second collector being connected to a pump 13 which returns the fluid from the second collector to the dielectric bath.

An EDT apparatus 1 is disclosed, comprising a dielectric fluid return system for use with an EDT machine of the type in which the workpiece is not submersed in dielectric fluid. The return system comprises a first collector 19 for catching spills from a dielectric bath 9 associated with a set of electrodes 10 which apply electrical pulses to the workpiece through the dielectric fluid in the bath. Also, a separate, second collector 21 is positioned substantially beneath the workpiece and arranged both to receive fluid from the first collector 19 and to catch fluid that drips from the workpiece itself, the second collector being connected to a pump 13 which returns the fluid from the second collector to the dielectric bath.

The present invention is directed to a current feeding device for the supply of electrical current to a wire electrode traveling in an electro-erosion machine during the machining operation. The current feeding device comprising: a rotary electrically conductive body which is in contact with the wire electrode; at least one bearing for supporting the rotary electrically conductive body at one side; and a brush for electrically contacting the rotary electrically conductive body and for supporting the rotary electrically conductive body at the other side of the body and opposite side to the bearing. The brush is at the rotary axis of the rotary electrically conductive body.

A method of patterning a cylindrical tool, including providing a stamp including a base and a layer of solid state ionic conductor thereon, applying a negative of a predetermined pattern of features on a major surface of the solid state ionic conductor, providing a cylindrical tool having a metallic surface positioned proximate the stamp, and applying an electric field between the metallic surface and a cathode while moving the stamp against the metallic surface in rolling line contact so as to impart the predetermined pattern of features onto the metallic surface, wherein the cathode is either the base or a conductive element positioned adjacent to the base. The positive of the predetermined pattern of features may include a multiplicity of nano-sized features.

A power delivery and control system for an EOT machine. The system has component assemblies assembled in a densely packed array. Each component assembly including one or a sub-set of a power delivery system and a servo-controller to control a servomotor assembly linked to, and orientated coaxially with, an electrode.

A power delivery and control system for an EOT machine. The system has component assemblies assembled in a densely packed array. Each component assembly including one or a sub-set of a power delivery system and a servo-controller to control a servomotor assembly linked to, and orientated coaxially with, an electrode.