Abstract: The present invention includes at least one sensor that senses the characteristic of one or more parameters associated with a stochastic machining process and provides one or more measurement signals indicative thereof, and further includes a signal processor having a model indicative of a correspondence between the characteristic of the parameters associated with the stochastic machining process and the characteristic of the resulting product attribute, and uses the model to generate a signal indicative of the predicted characteristic of the attribute of the product.

Abstract: A method of inspection for a fluid to determine its suitability for use as a dielectric medium in an EDM system and a method of maintenance for an EDM system having a dielectric fluid include generating an indication of the density of a sample of the fluid, providing at least one reference associated with at least one measure of suitability of the fluid, and comparing the indication to the at least one reference to determine, in the case of the method of inspection, the suitability of the fluid for use in the system, and in the case of the method of maintenance, whether to replace the fluid in the EDM system.