Electrode guide

Claim 2

Apparatus for use with an electrode discharge machine having an electrically conductive electrode supported therein, the electrode having a free end, the apparatus being adapted to guide and support the free end of said electrode, during use, from any significant unintended lateral movement, comprising: a body portion having an aperture therein and being capable of being positioned in close proximity to a workpiece from which material is to be removed; a support sleeve adjustably mounted in the aperture of said body portion, said sleeve having a central axis and an opening offset from said axis; a yoke eccentrically mounted relative to said axis, in said opening in the support sleeve; and guide means carried by the yoke, being electrically nonconductive and operative to guidingly support the free end of the electrode therein during operation of the latter in electroeroding material from said workpiece.

Claim 3

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said guide means comprises a pair of electrically nonconductive rollers spaced apart radially and being complementary in cross section to enable guiding said free end of the electrode therebetween.

Claim 4

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the support sleeve is provided with a worm wheel peripherally thereof, and the body portion carries a worm gear that is manually operable and engages said worm wheel for effecting rotational adjustment of said support sleeve.

Claim 5

The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the guide means are adjustable for variably positioning the electrode.

Claim 6

The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the guide means are adjustable relative to the yoke and include an adapter head for electrodes up to approximately 0.040 inches in diameter.

Claim 7

An electrode guide for use with an electrode discharge machine having an electrically conductive electrode supported therein which has a free end for electroeroding material from a workpiece, said guide being adapted to guide and support the free end of said electrode, during use, from any appreciable unintended lateral movements comprising: a main body portion having a central aperture therein, the body portion being adjustably connectable to one of a supporting stand and head of said machine to be positionable in close proximity to said workpiece; a support sleeve mounted in said aperture and being adjustably movable relative to the body portion, the support sleeve having a central axis and an opening offset from said axis; a yoke mounted in said opening in the support sleeve to be eccentrically movable about said axis; and guide roller means supported by the yoke, being electrically nonconductive and adapted to guidingly engage the free end of the electrode, such that an operator can position said end at a selected location relative to the workpiece.

Claim 8

An electrode guide for use with an electrode discharge machine having an electrically conductive electrode supported therein which has a free end for electroeroding material from a workpiece, said guide being adapted to guide and support the free end of said electrode, during use, from any appreciable unintended lateral movements comprising: a main body portion having a central aperture therein, the body portion being adjustably connectable to one of a supporting stand and head of said machine to be positionable in close proximity to said workpiece; a support sleeve mounted in said aperture and being adjustably movable relative to the body portion, the support sleeve having a central axis and an opening offset from said axis; a yoke mounted in said opening in the support sleeve to be eccentrically movable about said axis; and guide roller means supported by the yoke, being electrically nonconductive and adapted to guidingly engage the free end of the electrode, such that an operator can position said end at a selected location relative to the workpiece.

Claim 9

The electrode guide of claim 6 wherein one of the guide roller means is adjustable relative to the yoke on which it is supported for effecting fine positioning of the free end of said electrode.

Claim 10

The electrode guide of claim 6 wherein an adapter head is provided for cooperating with the guide roller means for accommodating electrodes up to approximately 0.040 inches in diameter.