Abstract: A method and apparatus control relative movement between an electrode of an DM machine and a workpiece. The method provides for positioning each point of a path of relative movement between the electrode and the workpiece by the distance of the point from an axis of rotation, rotating the workpiece, positioning the point also by an angle through which the workpiece is rotated, memorizing the position of each point of the path, and repeating the steps of positioning the points. The apparatus includes a rotatable work table driven by a servo motor and encoder to rotate the table to a desired angle. A device for polarizing the workpiece is provided to avoid interference with the rotation of the table on which the workpiece is mounted. The apparatus further includes machinery for translating the work table or the electrode along an axis that intersects the axis of rotation for the table.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
December 28, 1987
Date of Patent:
June 20, 1989
Assignee:
McWilliams Machinery Sales, Division of Bridgeport Machines Inc.