FIXTURE THAT HOLDS A SPECIMEN DURING ELECTRICAL DISCHARGE MACHINING OF THE SPECIMEN

Abstract

A fixture holds a specimen during electrical discharge machining of the specimen and prevents tensile test samples cut from the specimen from bending or curving during the electrical discharge machining. The fixture has first engagement surfaces that clamp to one end of the specimen and has second engagement surfaces that clamp to the opposite end of the specimen during electrical discharge machining of the specimen. The fixture clamping to opposite ends of the specimen prevents the tensile test samples cut from the specimen from bending during electrical discharge machining of the specimen.

Claims

1. A fixture that holds a specimen for machining of the specimen, the fixture comprising: a first block having a hole through the first block for a profile cut of the specimen and a first groove on the first block for a face cut of the specimen, the hole positioned between and separating a first engagement surface on the first block and a second engagement surface on the first block; a second block having a hole through the second block for a profile cut of the specimen and a second groove on the second block for a face cut of the specimen, the hole positioned between and separating a first engagement surface on the second block and a second engagement surface on the second block; the first block and the second block being attachable together to clamp a specimen between the first engagement surface on the first block and the first engagement surface on the second block and between the second engagement surface on the first block and the second engagement surface on the second block, such that the specimen is accessible for machining through the hole through the first block and through the hole through the second block.

2. The fixture of claim 1, further comprising: a shaft extending from the first block, the shaft being configured for attachment to a device that is operable to machine the specimen.

3. The fixture of claim 2, further comprising: the device being an electrical discharge machine.

4. The fixture of claim 1, further comprising: the hole through the first block, the first engagement surface on the first block and the second engagement surface on the first block substantially match the hole through the second block, the first engagement surface on the second block and the second engagement surface on the second block.

5. The fixture of claim 1, wherein: the first engagement surface on the first block and the second engagement surface on the first block are coplanar; and, the first engagement surface on the second block and the second engagement surface on the second block are coplanar.

6. The fixture of claim 1, further comprising: the first groove extending across the hole through the first block, the first groove having a length dimension that is substantially equal to a width dimension of the hole through the first block; the second groove extending across the hole through the second block, the second groove having a length dimension that is substantially equal to a width dimension of the hole through the second block; and, wherein the specimen is accessible for machining through the first groove on the first block and through the second groove on the second block.

7. The fixture of claim 1, further comprising: the hole through the first block having a first width dimension; the hole through the second block having a second width dimension; and, the first width dimension and the second width dimension being larger than a width dimension of the specimen.

8. The fixture of claim 1, further comprising: the first block and the second block being attachable together by a plurality of fasteners.

9. The fixture of claim 1, further comprising: a dowel pin projecting from one of the first block and the second block; and, a dowel pin hole extending into one of the first block and the second block, the dowel pin being receivable in the dowel pin hole and aligning the first block and the second block.

10. The fixture of claim 1, further comprising: hole notches that pass through the first block and are dimensioned to receive a wire of an electrical discharge machine through the hole notches that pass through the first block; and, hole notches that pass through the second block and are dimensioned to receive a wire of an electrical discharge machine through the hole notches that pass through the second block.

11. The fixture of claim 10, further comprising: groove notches that pass through the first block and are dimensioned to receive a wire of an electrical discharge machine through the groove notches that pass through the first block; and, groove notches that pass through the second block and are dimensioned to receive a wire of an electrical discharge machine through the groove notches that pass through the second block.

12. A fixture that holds a specimen when machining the specimen, the fixture comprising: a first block; a hole through the first block, the hole being positioned between and separating a first engagement surface on the first block and a second engagement surface on the first block; a second block; a hole through the second block, the hole positioned between and separating a first engagement surface on the second block and a second engagement surface on the second block; a shaft extending from the first block; the first block and the second block being attachable together to clamp a specimen between the first engagement surface on the first block and the first engagement surface on the second block and between the second engagement surface on the first block and the second engagement surface on the second block with the specimen being accessible for machining through the hole through the first block and through the hole through the second block; and the shaft being configured for attachment to a device that is operable to machine the specimen clamped between the first engagement surface on the first block and the first engagement surface on the second block and between the second engagement surface on the first block and the second engagement surface on the second block.

13. The fixture of claim 12, further comprising: a first groove extending across the first block and across the hole through the first block; a second groove extending across the second block and across the hole through the second block; at least one hole notch that passes through the first block and intersects the hole through the first block, the at least one hole notch that passes through the first block being dimensioned to receive a wire of an electrical discharge machine through the at least one hole notch that passes through the first block; at least one hole notch that passes through the second block and intersects the hole through the second block, the at least one hole notch that passes through the second block being dimensioned to receive a wire of an electrical discharge machine through the at least one hole notch that passes through the second block; at least one groove notch that passes through the first block at a side of the first groove extending across the first block, the at least one groove notch that passes through the first block being dimensioned to receive a wire of an electrical discharge machine through the at least one groove notch that passes through the first block; and at least one groove notch that passes through the second block at a side of the second groove extending across the second block, the at least one groove notch that passes through the second block being dimensioned to receive a wire of an electrical discharge machine through the at least one groove notch that passes through the second block.

14. The fixture of claim 12, further comprising: the device being an electrical discharge machine.

15. The fixture of claim 12, further comprising: the first engagement surface on the first block and the second engagement surface on the first block are coplanar; and, the first engagement surface on the second block and the second engagement surface on the second block are coplanar.

16. The fixture of claim 15, further comprising: the hole through the first block having a first width dimension; the hole through the second block having a second width dimension; and, the first width dimension and the second width dimension being larger than a width dimension of the specimen.

17. The fixture of claim 12, further comprising: the first block and the second block being releasably attachable together by a plurality of fasteners.

18. The fixture of claim 12, further comprising: a plurality of dowel pins projecting from the first engagement surface on the first block and the second engagement surface on the first block; a plurality of dowel pin holes in the first engagement surface of the second block and in the second engagement surface of the second block; and, the plurality of dowel pins being receivable in the plurality of dowel pin holes and aligning the first block and the second block.

19. A method of machining a specimen, the method comprising: clamping a specimen between a first engagement surface on a first block and a first engagement surface on a second block and between a second engagement surface on the first block and a second engagement surface on the second block with the specimen extending across a hole through the first block and extending across a hole through the second block; and, machining a profile of the specimen through the hole through the first block and through the hole through the second block.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising: machining a face surface of the specimen through a first groove on the first block between the first engagement surface on the first block and the second engagement surface on the first block and machining an opposite face surface of the specimen through a second groove on the second block between the first engagement surface on the second block and the second engagement surface on the second block.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] Further features of the fixture of this disclosure and its method of use are set forth in the following detailed description and in the drawing figures.

[0017] FIG. 1 is a representation of a top, perspective view of a shaft end of a fixture, according to an example embodiment of this disclosure.

[0018] FIG. 2 is a representation of a top perspective view of the end of the fixture opposite the shaft end, according to an example embodiment.

[0019] FIG. 3 is a representation of a top perspective view of the first block of the fixture, according to an example embodiment.

[0020] FIG. 4 is a representation of a top perspective view of the second block of the fixture, according to an example embodiment.

[0021] FIG. 5 is a representation of a perspective view of the first block and second block of the fixture clamped together, according to an example embodiment.

[0022] FIG. 6 is a representation of an additional perspective view of the first block and second block of the fixture clamped together, according to an example embodiment.

[0023] FIG. 7 is a representation of the fixture clamped on an EDM machine, according to an example embodiment.

[0024] FIG. 8 is a representation of the fixture clamped on an EDM machine, with the fixture rotated 90 from the position of the fixture represented in FIG. 7, according to an example embodiment.

[0025] FIG. 9 is a representation of the fixture holding a specimen from which test samples have been cut, according to an example embodiment.

[0026] FIG. 10 is a flow chart of a method of machining a specimen, according to an example embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] FIGS. 1, 2 and 5 of the drawing figures represent a fixture 10 according to an example embodiment of this disclosure. The fixture 10 is designed to hold a specimen during electrical discharge machining of the specimen and prevent bending of the specimen during the machining. The fixture 10 comprises a first block 12, a second block 14, and a shaft 16 projecting from the first block 12. The first block 12, the second block 14 and the shaft 16 are constructed of a material sufficiently strong to securely hold a specimen during electrical discharge machining of the specimen, for example, a metal or other equivalent material.

[0028] The first block 12 is represented in FIG. 3. The first block 12 has a general cubic configuration. As represented in FIG. 3, the configuration of the first block 12 is defined by a proximal exterior side wall 22 and an opposite distal exterior side wall 24, a left side exterior side wall 26 and an opposite right side exterior side wall 28. The cubic configuration of the first block 12 is also defined by an interior surface 32 of the first block 12 and an opposite exterior surface 34 of the first block 12.

[0029] The shaft 16 is integrally attached to the proximal exterior side wall 22 of the first block 12 and is one piece with the first block 12. The shaft 16 has a cylindrical exterior surface 36 that extends from a proximal end surface 38 of the shaft to a distal end surface 42 of the shaft. As represented in FIG. 3, about half of the shaft proximal end surface 38 is formed integrally with the proximal exterior side wall 22 of the first block 12. In other examples, a different amount of the shaft proximal end surface is formed integrally with the proximal exterior side wall 22 of the first block 12. The shaft exterior surface 36 is configured for attachment to a chuck or other attachment mechanism of an electrical discharge machine.

[0030] The first block 12 has a hole 44 extending through the first block. The hole 44 is for a profile cut of the specimen. As represented in FIG. 3, the hole 44 has a general, rectangular configuration defined by a proximal interior side wall 46 and an opposite distal interior side wall 48, a left side interior side wall 52 and an opposite right side interior side wall 54. The hole 44 is positioned between and separates a first engagement surface 56 on the interior surface 32 of the first block 12 and a second engagement surface 58 on the interior surface 32 of the first block 12. The first engagement surface 56 and the second engagement surface 58 are flat and coplanar.

[0031] There are four hole notches 62 that pass through the first block 12 and intersect the hole 44 through the first block 12 at the four corners of the hole 44 through the first block 12. As represented in FIG. 3, the four hole notches 62 have generally semi-circular cross-section configurations and are positioned at the opposite ends of the proximal interior side wall 46 where the proximal interior side wall 46 intersects with the left side interior side wall 52 and the right side interior side wall 54, and are positioned at the opposite ends of the distal interior side wall 48 where the distal interior side wall 48 intersects with the left side interior side wall 52 and the right side interior side wall 54. The four hole notches 62 are dimensioned to receive a wire of an electrical discharge machine through the notches.

[0032] A first groove 64 is recessed into the interior surface 32 of the first block 12. The first groove 64 is for a face cut of the specimen. The first groove 64 extends across the interior surface 32 of the first block 12 and across the hole 44 through the first block 12. As represented in FIG. 3, a first part 64A of the first groove 64 is positioned on one side of the hole 44 through the first block 12 and a second part 64B of the groove 64 is positioned on an opposite side of the hole 44 through the first block 12. The first groove 64 has a length dimension that is substantially equal to a width dimension of the hole 44 through the first block 12. The first groove 64 is positioned on the first block 12 between and separating the first engagement surface 56 on the first block 12 and the second engagement surface 58 on the first block 12.

[0033] Four grooves notches 66 pass through the left side exterior side wall 26 and the left side interior side wall 52 of the first block 12, and through the right side exterior side wall 28 and the right side interior side wall 58 of the first block 12. Pairs of the four groove notches 66 are positioned at opposite sides of the first groove 64 and intersect with and are perpendicular to the four hole notches 62. The four groove notches 66 have general semi-circular cross-section configurations and are dimensioned to receive a wire of an electrical discharge machine through the four groove notches 66.

[0034] Four dowel pins 68 project outwardly from the first engagement surface 56 and the second engagement surface 58 of the first block 12. The four dowel pins 68 are parallel to each other and perpendicular to the first engagement surface 56 and the second engagement surface 58 of the first block 12.

[0035] Three internally threaded fastener holes 72 extend into the first engagement surface 56 and the second engagement surface 58 of the first block 12. As represented in FIG. 3, one of the internally screw threaded holes 72 extends into the first engagement surface 56 and two of the internally screw threaded holes 72 extend into the second engagement surface 58.

[0036] The second block 14 of the fixture 10 is represented in FIG. 4. The second block 14 has a construction that is substantially the same as that of the first block 12, and that is substantially a match of the construction of the first block 12. For instance, in an example, the hole through the first block, the first engagement surface on the first block and the second engagement surface on the first block substantially match the hole through the second block, the first engagement surface on the second block and the second engagement surface on the second block. This matching allows the hole through the first block, the first engagement surface on the first block and the second engagement surface on the first block to align with, respectively, the hole through the second block, the first engagement surface on the second block and the second engagement surface on the second block, when the first and second blocks are attached.

[0037] The second block 14 also has a cubic configuration defined by a proximal exterior side wall 82 and an opposite distal exterior side wall 84, and a left side exterior side wall 86 and an opposite right side exterior side wall 88. The cubic configuration of the second block 14 is also defined by an interior surface 92 of the second block 14 and an opposite exterior surface 94 of the second block 14. The interior surface 32 of the first block 12 opposes the interior surface 92 of the second block 14 in use of the fixture 10.

[0038] A hole 96 extends through the second block 14. The hole 96 is for a profile cut of the specimen. The hole 96 through the second block 14 has substantially the same configuration as the hole 44 through the first block 12. As represented in FIG. 4, the hole 96 through the second block 14 has a general rectangular configuration defined by a proximal interior side wall 98 and an opposite distal interior side wall 102, a left side interior side wall 104 and an opposite right side interior side wall 106. The hole 96 through the second block 14 is positioned between and separates a first engagement surface 108 on the interior surface 92 of the second block 14 and a second engagement surface 112 on the interior surface 92 of the second block 14. The first engagement surface 108 and the second engagement surface 112 are flat and coplanar surfaces.

[0039] Four hole notches 114 pass through the second block 14 at the four corners of the hole 96 through the second block 14. The four hole notches 114 are positioned at opposite ends of the proximal interior side wall 98 where the proximal interior side wall 98 intersects with the left side interior side wall 104 and the right side interior side wall 106, and the opposite ends of the distal interior side wall 102 where the distal interior side wall 102 intersects with the left side interior side wall 104 and the right side interior side wall 106. Each of the four hole notches 114 has a general semi-circular cross-section configuration and is dimensioned to receive a wire of an electrical discharge machine through the notch. The four hole notches 62 and the four hole notches 114 allow for threading a wire of an electrical discharge machine through fixture 10 when the specimen clamped to the fixture 10 covers or substantially covers hole 44 and hole 96.

[0040] A second groove 116 is recessed into the interior surface 92 of the second block 14. The second groove 116 is for a face cut of the specimen. The second groove 116 extends across the interior surface 92 of the second block 14 and across the hole 96 through the second block 14. As represented in FIG. 4, a first part 116A of the second groove 116 is positioned on one side of the hole 96 through the second block 14 and a second part 116B of the groove 116 is positioned on an opposite side of the hole 96 through the second block 14. The second groove 116 has a length dimension that is substantially equal to a width dimension of the hole 96 through the second block 14. The second groove 116 is positioned on the interior surface 92 of the second block 14 between and separating the first engagement surface 108 of the second block 14 and the second engagement surface 112 of the second block 14.

[0041] Four groove notches 118 pass through the left side exterior side wall 86 and the left side interior side wall 104 of the second block 14, and through the right side exterior side wall 88 and the right side exterior side wall 106 of the second block 14. Pairs of the four groove notches 118 are positioned on opposite sides of the second groove 116 on the second block 14. The four groove notches 118 have semi-circular cross-section configurations and are dimensioned to receive a wire of an electrical discharge machine through the groove notches 118. Each of the groove notches 118 also intersects one of the four hole notches 114 through the second block 14 and is oriented perpendicular to the hole notch.

[0042] Four dowel pin holes 122 extend into the interior surface 92 of the second block 14. Two of the dowel pin holes 122 extend into the first engagement surface 108 of the second block 14 and two of the dowel pin holes 122 extend into the second engagement surface 112 of the second block 14. Each of the dowel pin holes 122 has a cross-section dimension that enables one of the dowel pins 68 on the first block 12 to be inserted into each of the dowel pin holes 122 in the second block 14. The dowel pin holes 122 are also positioned on the interior surface 92 of the second block 14 to correspond with the positions of the four dowel pins 68 that project from the interior surface 32 of the first block 12.

[0043] There are also three internally screw threaded holes 124 in the interior surface 92 of the second block 14. The internally screw threaded holes 124 are positioned on the interior surface 92 of the second block 14 to correspond with the positions of the internally screw threaded holes 72 on the interior surface 32 of the first block 12. The internally screw threaded holes 124 on the second block 14 are dimensioned to receive the same screw threaded fasteners as the internally screw threaded holes 72 on the first block 12.

[0044] In use of the fixture 10 in electrical discharge machining of a specimen, the specimen 126 (represented by dashed lines in FIG. 3 and solid lines in FIGS. 7-9) is first positioned between the interior surface 32 of the first block 12 and the interior surface 92 of the second block 14. The specimen 126 is positioned between the first block 12 and the second block 14 before the first block 12 and the second block 14 are releasably attached together. As the first block 12 and the second block 14 are releasably attached together by fasteners such as screw threaded fasteners that are screw threaded through the internally screw threaded holes 124 of the second block 14 and into the internally screw threaded holes 72 of the first block 12, one end of the specimen 126 is clamped between the first engagement surface 56 on the first block 12 and the first engagement surface 108 on the second block 14. The opposite end of the specimen 126 is clamped between the second engagement surface 58 on the first block 12 and the second engagement surface 112 on the second block 14. With the specimen 126 clamped between the first block 12 and the second block 14, the specimen 126 is accessible for machining through the first groove 64 extending across the first block 12 and the second groove 116 extending across the second block 14. The specimen 126 is also accessible for machining through the hole 44 through the first block 12 and the hole 96 through the second block 14.

[0045] With the specimen 126 held between the first block 12 and the second block 14 of the fixture 10, and with the fixture 10 attached by the shaft 16 to an electrical discharge machine 128 (represented schematically in FIGS. 7 and 8), the wire 132 (represented schematically in FIGS. 7 and 8) of the electrical discharge machine is passed through the first groove 64 of the first block 12. More specifically, the wire 132 of the electrical discharge machine 128 is passed through a pair of aligned groove notches 66 at one side of the first groove 64. The electrical discharge machine 128 is then operated to cause the wire 132 to move across a first face surface 134 of the specimen 126 and across the first groove 64 making a rough cut of the first face surface 134 of the specimen opposing the first groove 64 in the first block 12. In an example, an opposite face surface of the specimen is then machined. For instance, the wire 132 of the electrical discharge machine 128 is then cut, removed from the first groove 64 and is passed through a pair of aligned groove notches 118 of the second groove 116 of the second block 14. The electrical discharge machine 128 is then operated to move the wire 132 across the second groove 116 and across a second face surface 136 of the specimen 126 that opposes the second groove 116 to make a rough cut of the second face surface 136 of the specimen 126.

[0046] The wire 132 of the electrical discharge machine 128 is then cut and removed from the second groove 116.

[0047] If needed, a second, finishing cut can then be performed on the first face surface 134 of the specimen 126. The wire 132 of the electrical discharge machine 128 is again threaded through an aligned pair of the groove notches 66 on one side of the first groove 64 in the first block 12. The wire 132 of the electrical discharge machine 128 then makes a finishing cut across the first face surface 134 of the specimen 126 opposing the first groove 64 in the first block 12. The wire 132 of the electrical discharge machine 128 is then cut and removed from the first groove 64 in the first block 12.

[0048] The wire 132 of the electrical discharge machine 128 can then be threaded through a pair of aligned groove notches 118 at one side of the second groove 116 in the second block 14. The electrical discharge machine 128 is operated and the wire 132 of the electrical discharge machine 128 can then make a finishing cut on the second face surface 136 of the specimen 126 that opposes the second groove 116.

[0049] Additional finishing cuts could be made across the first face surface 134 of the specimen 126 and the second face surface 136 of the specimen 126 if needed.

[0050] The fixture 10 can be rotated relative to the electrical discharge machine 128 so as to be in position for a profile cut of the specimen 126. In an example, with the wire 132 removed from the fixture 10, the fixture is then rotated about 90 relative to the electrical discharge machine 128. This is represented in FIG. 8. Within examples, the fixture 10 is rotated manually or by the electrical discharge machine 128. The wire 132 of the electrical discharge machine 128 is then threaded for a profile cut. In an example, the wire 132 is threaded through the hole 44 through the first block 12 and through the hole 96 of the second block 14. In another example, the wire 132 of the electrical discharge machine 128 is threaded through a hole notch 62 of the first block 12 that is aligned with a hole notch 114 of the second block 14. The electrical discharge machine 128 is then operated and the wire 132 is then used to make profile cuts to cut test samples, for example dog bone tensile test samples from the specimen 126. This is represented in FIGS. 8 and 9.

[0051] In the above manner, the fixture 10 holds opposite ends of the specimen 126 during an electrical discharge machining performed on the specimen 126 and prevents the test samples cut from the specimen 126 from bending or curving during the electrical discharge machining.

[0052] FIG. 10 is a flow chart of a method 200 of machining a specimen. Various embodiments of the method 200 may include additional steps not shown in FIG. 10, fewer steps than shown in FIG. 10, and/or different steps than shown in FIG. 10. The method is described with reference to the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1-9.

[0053] At block 202, the method 200 includes clamping a specimen between a first engagement surface on a first block and a first engagement surface on a second block and between a second engagement surface on the first block and a second engagement surface on the second block with the specimen extending across a hole through the first block and extending across a hole through the second block. At block 204, the method 200 includes machining a profile of the specimen through the hole through the first block and through the hole through the second block.

[0054] At block 206, the method includes machining a face surface of the specimen through a first groove on the first block between the first engagement surface on the first block and the second engagement surface on the first block and machining an opposite face surface of the specimen through a second groove on the second block between the first engagement surface on the second block and the second engagement surface on the second block.

[0055] By the term substantially it is meant that the recited characteristic, parameter, or value need not be achieved exactly, but that deviations or variations, including for example, tolerances, measurement error, measurement accuracy limitations and other factors known to skill in the art, may occur in amounts that do not preclude the effect the characteristic was intended to provide.

[0056] As various modifications could be made in the construction of the fixture that holds a specimen for electrical discharge machining of the specimen and its method of operation herein described and illustrated without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the foregoing description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative rather than limiting. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present disclosure should not be limited by any of the above described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims appended hereto and their equivalents.