US4700038A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for measuring the rate of wear of an EDM electrode tool
Assignee: Agie Charmilles New Technologies SA
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Filing: 1986-03-05
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Granted: 1987-10-13
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Expires: 2006-03-05
Abstract
Abstract The electrode wear rate is determined by using two detectors and a clock to measure the time taken for the voltage across the gap to drop between two preset values which are chosen to measure the speed in which the voltage drops from the no load voltage to the cutting voltage. This value of time is used by an arithmetic circuit which uses an exponential equation to determine the amount of material removed in a single discharge. A second arithmetic circuit is used to sum up the amount of electrode wear taking place and to supply the pulse generator with a control signal for adjusting the pulse generator as a function of the electrode wear rate.
Inventors
- 👤 Dirk Dauw
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 06:00
CPC Classifications
B; B23; B23H; B23H1/00; B23H1/02; B23H1/022
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
79 words
In a method for controlling electrical discharge machining of an electrode workpiece by means of an electrode tool, wherein consecutive voltage pulses are applied across said electrodes for triggering electrical discharges, said method comprising measuring a magnitude representative of the speed at which varies the machining voltage during triggering of said electrical discharge, the improvement comprising developing a signal representative of the volume of material removed from the electrode of a positive polarity as a function of said magnitude.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
79 words
In a method for controlling electrical discharge machining of an electrode workpiece by means of an electrode tool, wherein consecutive voltage pulses are applied across said electrodes for triggering electrical discharges, said method comprising measuring a magnitude representative of the speed at which varies the machining voltage during triggering of said electrical discharge, the improvement comprising developing a signal representative of the volume of material removed from the electrode of a positive polarity as a function of said magnitude.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1 wherein an exponential function of said magnitude is developed.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said function is adjusted relative to machining parameters and the voltaic cell formed by the materials of the electrodes.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
77 words
In a method for controlling electrical discharge machining of an electrode workpiece by means of an electrode tool, wherein consecutive voltage pulses are applied across said electrodes for triggering electrical discharges, said method comprising measuring a magnitude representative of the speed at which varies the machining current during triggering of said electrical discharge, the developing a signal representative of the volume of material removed from the electrode of a positive polarity as a function of said magnitude.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
77 words
In a method for controlling electrical discharge machining of an electrode workpiece by means of an electrode tool, wherein consecutive voltage pulses are applied across said electrodes for triggering electrical discharges, said method comprising measuring a magnitude representative of the speed at which varies the machining current during triggering of said electrical discharge, the developing a signal representative of the volume of material removed from the electrode of a positive polarity as a function of said magnitude.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 4 wherein an exponential function of said magnitude is developed.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 4 wherein said function is adjusted relative to machining parameters and the voltaic cell formed by the materials of the electrodes.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 4 wherein said magnitude is representative of the speed at which vary both the machining voltage and current.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 7 wherein an exponential function of said magnitude is developed.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 7 wherein said function is adjusted relative to machining parameters and the voltaic cell formed by the materials of the electrodes.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
84 words
An apparatus for controlling electrical discharge machining of an electrode workpiece by means of an electrode tool, wherein consecutive voltage pulses are applied across said electrode for triggering electrical discharges, said apparatus comprising a pulse generator connected across said electrodes, a circuit for producing a signal representing the speed at which the machining voltage varies during triggering of the electrical discharge, and a circuit for developing a signal representing the volume of material removed from the electrode tool as a function of said signal.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
84 words
An apparatus for controlling electrical discharge machining of an electrode workpiece by means of an electrode tool, wherein consecutive voltage pulses are applied across said electrode for triggering electrical discharges, said apparatus comprising a pulse generator connected across said electrodes, a circuit for producing a signal representing the speed at which the machining voltage varies during triggering of the electrical discharge, and a circuit for developing a signal representing the volume of material removed from the electrode tool as a function of said signal.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 10 further comprising a circuit for measuring the time period of a machining electrical discharge and a circuit for dividing said function by said time period.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 10 further comprising a circuit for adjusting machining parameters as a function of said volume of material removed from the electrode tool.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 11 further comprising a circuit for adjusting machining parameters as a function of said volume of material removed from the electrode tool.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 10 further comprising a circuit for adjusting machining parameters as a function of said volume of material removed from the electrode tool.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 10 further comprising a circuit for measuring the time period of a machining electrical discharge and a circuit for dividing said function by said time period.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 10 further comprising a circuit for adjusting machining parameters as a function of said volume of material removed from the electrode tool.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 11 further comprising a circuit for adjusting machining parameters as a function of said volume of material removed from the electrode tool.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 15 wherein said signal is representing the speed at which both the machining voltage and current vary.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 18 further comprising a circuit for measuring the time period of a machining electrical discharge and a circuit for dividing said function by said time period.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
84 words
An apparatus for controlling electrical discharge machining of an electrode workpiece by means of an electrode tool, wherein consecutive voltage pulses are applied across said electrode for triggering electrical discharges, said apparatus comprising a pulse generator connected across said electrodes, a circuit for producing a signal representing the speed at which the machining current varies during triggering of the electrical discharge, and a circuit for developing a signal representing the volume of material removed from the electrode tool as a function of said signal.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
84 words
An apparatus for controlling electrical discharge machining of an electrode workpiece by means of an electrode tool, wherein consecutive voltage pulses are applied across said electrode for triggering electrical discharges, said apparatus comprising a pulse generator connected across said electrodes, a circuit for producing a signal representing the speed at which the machining current varies during triggering of the electrical discharge, and a circuit for developing a signal representing the volume of material removed from the electrode tool as a function of said signal.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 14 further comprising a circuit for adjusting machining parameters as a function of said volume of material removed from the electrode tool.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1990-10-12 | 1991-04-13 | 1991-10-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-10-12 | 1995-04-13 | 1995-10-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-10-12 | 1999-04-13 | 1999-10-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |