Apparatus attachable to an edm for rotating electrode

Claim 2

Apparatus for attachment to an electrode discharge machine having an electrically conductive electrode, a head, and a supply of pressurized dielectric fluid, said apparatus being operable to support and rotatably drive the electrode on said machine, the apparatus comprising: a base member enabling the apparatus to be secured selectively and removably to the head of the electrode discharge machine; a drive spindle supported by said base member for rotation, the drive spindle being adapted to releasably retain chuck means at one end thereof to grip and carry one free end of the electrode; a sealable housing connected to the base member and adapted to be placed in fluid-flow communication with said supply of pressurized dielectric fluid; a turbine wheel enclosed by said housing and mounted for rotation therein, the turbine wheel being drivingly secured to an other end of the drive spindle and operable to transform pressure energy in dielectric fluid pumped through said housing to kinetic energy causing rotation of the drive spindle and chuck means and electrode carried thereby; and guide means moveably mounted on the base member to be positionable axially of the electrode, the guide means being operable to receive and guidedly support the other free end in close proximity to a workpiece, thus inhibiting any appreciable motion of said free end of the electrode laterally thereof.

Claim 3

The apparatus defined in claim 1, wherein differential gearing is provided and mounted on said apparatus to operatively couple said other end of the drive spindle to the turbine wheel, thereby accommodating a range of speeds at which the chuck means and electrode can be rotated.

Claim 4

The apparatus defined in claim 1, wherein the guide means is slideably movable along a track, and is spring-loaded to enable the guide means to be automatically positioned adjacent said workpiece.

Claim 5

The apparatus defined in claim 1, wherein the guide means is provided with roller bearings to facilitate said axial positioning with minimal friction being generated at surfaces having relative motion therebetween.

Claim 6

Apparatus for attachment to an electrode discharge machine having a head, an electrically conductive electrode with one free end, and a pressurized supply of dielectric fluid, said apparatus being operable to support and rotatably drive said electrode, comprising: a base adapted to enable the apparatus selectively to be secured to the head of said machine, the base having a central opening therein; a drive spindle rotatably mounted in said central opening, said drive spindle having a Blind opening extending axially, said blind opening being operative to receive the other end of said electrode and having a diametrically enlarged open end which is adapted to support a chuck that grips and holds said electrode; a sealable housing connected to the base member and adapted to be placed in fluid-flow communication with the pressurized supply of dielectric fluid; a turbine wheel enclosed by said housing and mounted for rotation therein, said turbine wheel being drivingly connected to the drive spindle and functioning to transform pressure energy of dielectric fluid pumped through said housing into kinetic energy causing rotation of the electrode; and guide means for guiding and supporting the free end of the electrode from any appreciable motion laterally of the axis of said electrode, the guide means being mounted on said base, to enable said free end to be positionable in close proximity to a workpiece from which material is to be removed by spark erosion, the guide means providing such guided support of the free end of the electrode.

Claim 7

Apparatus for attachment to an electrode discharge machine having a head, an electrically conductive electrode with one free end, and a pressurized supply of dielectric fluid, said apparatus being operable to support and rotatably drive said electrode, comprising: a base adapted to enable the apparatus selectively to be secured to the head of said machine, the base having a central opening therein; a drive spindle rotatably mounted in said central opening, said drive spindle having a Blind opening extending axially, said blind opening being operative to receive the other end of said electrode and having a diametrically enlarged open end which is adapted to support a chuck that grips and holds said electrode; a sealable housing connected to the base member and adapted to be placed in fluid-flow communication with the pressurized supply of dielectric fluid; a turbine wheel enclosed by said housing and mounted for rotation therein, said turbine wheel being drivingly connected to the drive spindle and functioning to transform pressure energy of dielectric fluid pumped through said housing into kinetic energy causing rotation of the electrode; and guide means for guiding and supporting the free end of the electrode from any appreciable motion laterally of the axis of said electrode, the guide means being mounted on said base, to enable said free end to be positionable in close proximity to a workpiece from which material is to be removed by spark erosion, the guide means providing such guided support of the free end of the electrode.

Claim 8

The apparatus defined in claim 5, wherein differential gearing is provided, being carried by said apparatus to operatively couple said drive spindle to the turbine wheel, thereby providing controlled adjustability within a range of speeds of rotation of the chuck and electrode.

Claim 9

The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the guide means is provided with roller bearings to facilitate said axial positioning with minimal friction of surfaces having relative motion therebetween.