Abstract: A control device for controlling a machine tool includes at least one memory for storing control data characterizing the instantaneous operating state of the machine tool during machining and a memory management device for managing the control data such that machining can be resumed after an interruption. The control data is separated into dynamic control data and static control data. The method for controlling a machine tool uses the control device and stores the static and dynamic control data in the memory. As a workpiece is machined, the instantaneous operating state of the machine tool is continuously stored so that machining can be resumed after an interruption.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a method and a device for controlling a machine tool, in particular an EDM machine, wherein the control data necessary for machining one or more workpieces is fed from the control device to the machine tool. Therein a list of action data for controlling special procedures (actions) and a list of event data for characterizing prescribed operating states (events), in particular, malfunctions, are permanently provided. The action and event data are linked in setting up the machine such that upon occurrence of one or more events, one or more actions are performed.

Abstract: A method and a device for controlling the entire machining operation of machine tools, in particular EDM machines, whereby the entire machining operation is broken down into individual machining objects, such as workpiece, work step etc., and the current machining status of the machining object is monitored before, during and/or after the entire machining operation and is displayed as needed.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring and/or controlling the tension in a ribbon or wire-type electrode of an electric discharge machine in which the ribbon or wire-type electrode is passed around a rotatable roller which is in operative engagement with a sensor. The roller is adapted to be driven in rotation by a motor or to be retarded by a brake. A support member for the roller and the motor or for the roller and the brake accommodates the weight of the roller and the motor or of the roller and the brake so that no load caused by the motor or the brake plus the roller acts in the direction of the tensile stress of the electrode. Any movement of the support means can be detected by a sensor, and the magnitude of the tension can be derived by a control unit from the output signal of the sensor. In operation, the control unit determines the tension on the wire and causes the unit to either increase or decrease the resistance caused by the roller.

Abstract: A wire guidance arrangement for guiding a wire electrode of a spark erosion machine has several replaceable wire guides, which are mutually spaced to thereby form individual erosion zones. The individual wire guides are held by spring tension in corresponding openings of a guide plate, which rest on a base block. The common plane of the guide plate and the base block forms a reference plane on which are axially centered the undersides of wire guidance members of the individual wire guides. Even in the case of a greater wire electrode fixing length, this always ensures a satisfactory guidance of the wire electrode. In addition, the individual wire guides can be simply replaced without any adjustment being necessary.

Abstract: A pulse generator for spark-erosive metal working contains a charge regulator circuit for charging a storage capacitor. A storage capacitor is sinusoidally discharged across a switching device to a spark gap. Charging always occurs in a defined manner independently of the preceding pulses, so that uniform pulses can be generated. The storage capacitor is charged with an energy excess of required for discharge and the energy still remaining after spark discharge is recovered in a d.c. voltage source. The switching device (3) is non-conductive only when the discharge current has substantially decayed.

Abstract: A power supply component for cutting a wire electrode of an electroerosion machine having a core of hard metal and about it a layer of an electrically conductive material, which is softer than the core. Within a relatively short time, when the machine is in use, the wire cuts a notch in the soft layer, the notch acting as a wire guide. As soon as the notch reaches the harder material of the core, the hard metal prevents any further notch deepening.

Abstract: An electroerosion process and apparatus are used to produce crude electrodes which are shaped thereafter into finished form by wire cutting erosion. The finished electrodes are used in subsequent countersinking of workpieces by electroerosion.

Abstract: For the securing and removal of waste fragments from eroded openings of a workpiece on a spark erosion machine, a collecting plate is provided below the workpiece to retain the waste fragments. In the case of an X/Y-movement of the workpieces, the waste fragments move over the top of the collecting plate. A collecting container is arranged on the edge of the collecting plate and the waste fragments drop into it in the case of a corresponding X/Y-movement of the workpiece. According to another variant, a lifting cylinder can be positioned above the workpiece and with a gripper (e.g. a magnet) grips the waste fragments and draws them upwards out of the eroded opening. By moving the lifting cylinder, the waste fragment is then placed on a conveyor belt or can be directly conveyed into the collecting container.

Abstract: Wire cutting apparatus which includes a mechanism for conveying an electrode and cutting device having rotary cutting elements and a tender tool. A post generator is electrically connected to the cutting elements and the counter tool for purposes of supplying power to the spark erosion machine. The cutting elements are electrically insulated with respect to the drive shaft thereof and the service of the counter tool is electrically insulated relative to the mounting support thereof. Additionally, there is provided an electrical connection which constantly forces the rotary cutting elements and the counter tool to the electrical potential of the electrode.

Abstract: An evaluation circuit for use with electronic system which utilizes a plurality of individual transmitters of light, a like plurality of individual receivers of light, and a like plurality of light conducting paths. Each transmitter is connected to its corresponding receiver by a corresponding path so that the light emitted by any transmitter can only impinge upon the corresponding receiver. The light emitted is in the form of pulses. The transmitters are selectively actuated and deactuated in selected format by a multiplexer. The corresponding receivers are synchronized to respond in the same format by a demultiplexer whereby when the system functions properly each receiver will receive and respond only to the light pulse emitted by the corresponding transmitter. In the circuit, a measuring operation is initiated in which each transmitter-receiver pair is individually actuated in a selected sequence.

Abstract: In the spark erosive cutting of preprogrammed closed contours with the aid of a wire electrode, the electrode is angled in such a way at the end of a closed cutting curve, that a web is left between the workpiece and the fall-off piece. The web only takes up part of the height of cut or the workpiece height. As a result, fault-free surfaces can be obtained along the portion of the cutting curve that is completely cut around the closed contour, at least for a portion of the workpiece height, so that workpieces cut in accordance with this method can be used directly and without reworking.

Abstract: To eliminate short-circuits between a countersink electrode and a workpiece during countersink erosion, when a short-circuit occurs, the countersink electrode is initially moved back by a predetermined path length (.delta.) along the previously travelled path from a first locus (P.sub.K) at which the short-circuit occurred to a second locus or intermediate point (P.sub.R) and it is established at that location whether there is still a short-circuit. If this is the case, the countersink electrode is moved in an upwardly sloping manner along a second path (R), which has a first angle (.alpha.) with respect to the working plane (AE) and has a movement component (R.sub.1) having a second angle (.beta.) with respect to a surface normal to the short-circuit or intermediate point (P.sub.K or P.sub.R). All the parameters (.alpha.,.beta.,.delta.,.vertline.R.vertline.) can be freely preselected and are variable during erosion.

Abstract: A spark erosion machine having the machine table fixed to the machine upright and including a working container for the dielectric fluid that is formed of a fixed component and a movable component. The fixed component includes the machine table plate, which is fastened to the machine table and forms a portion of the bottom of the working container, plus a wall element that forms a portion of a wall of the working container. The movable component forms the remainder of the work container. The movable component can be lowered to permit access to the table plate and, when raised, joins with the fixed component to form a sealed container.

Abstract: A pulse generator for spark erosive machining of a conductive workpiece, including a d.c. voltage source, a switching element such as a switching transistor connected in circuit with an inductive coil and the work gap across the voltage source, and a high frequency transformer, where one winding of the transformer is connected in parallel with the voltage source and the other winding is connected in parallel to the series circuit consisting of the inductance coil and the work gap. When the switching element is turned on, a machining pulse is applied to the gap; when the switching is turned off, stored energy in the inductance coil is dissipated across the gap and, owing to the transformer connection, generates a recuperation current flowing into the voltage source. The switching element is preferably controlled on the basis of the magnitude of the current flow through the circuit.

Abstract: The instantaneous flow state of the scavenging medium in the cutting plant work gap is determined and operating parameters of the spark-erosive cutting process are regulated and/or controlled as a function thereof. These operating parameters include the generator machining parameters such as pulse magnitude, pulse duration and pulse interval; the relative feed rate of the tool electrode; and the supply of the scavenging medium. For this purpose, the cutting plant includes a device for pressure and/or suction scavenging of the work gap and a control device for adaptively controlling the operating parameters, including at least one sensor for determining the instantaneous flow state of the scavenging medium in the work gap and at least one control element.

Abstract: A circuit arrangement for producing machining pulses in a spark erosion installation from a direct current power source that functions without the use of ballast resistors. There are at least two controllable circuits which are parallel to the spark gap and to one another and whose output currents are additively superimposed for a total current flowing through the spark gap. The control inputs of the circuits are connected to a control circuit, which produces time-associated control signals, the nature of the time circuit cooperates with the control elements of the circuits, so that a current pulse is only allowed to pass to the spark gap if the switches controlled by the control elements are simultaneously open.

Abstract: Axial tension on the wire or strip like electrode is achieved by having the electrode looped around a grooved wheel controlled by a hysteresis motor near an upper or lower guide head while the wire drive is located near the other guide head so that in the working zone the electrode is subject to the action of tensile stress necessary for electroerosion and the remaining electrode guide area is kept free from increased tensile stress on the electrode. Additionally an angle coder is used with the hysteresis motor to measure both the rotational speed and the position of the grooved wheel.

Abstract: In the electroerosive machining of workpieces with the aid of a tool electrode, a pulse-like d.c. voltage is applied between the workpiece and electrode, the applied voltage being in the form of pulse groups where the pulse groups are formed of individual pulses having current amplitudes of selected magnitudes. Preferably, the individual current pulses belonging to the pulse group have successively rising amplitudes. Several individually controllable power switching circuits are connected in parallel to the work gap. The primary side of a pulse transformer connected to each power switching circuit is driven by a control device for the time shaping of the pulse groups. At least one controlled switch belonging to each power switching circuit is connected to a second control device for shaping the current pulse amplitudes.

Abstract: A scavenging chamber surrounds the electrode and is brought up to the erosion zone in the workpiece. A slide ring is fixed to the casing of the scavenging chamber and seals the latter with respect to the workpiece surface. The scavenging chamber is provided with a structure for adapting at least the casing portion carrying the slide ring to the slide ring orientation defined by the workpiece surface. Preferably the scavenging chamber is provided with controllable elements for defining the shape of the scavenging chamber casing, which elements can be in particular constructed as flexible annular diaphragms.