Abstract: A spark erosion machine having a machine table fixed to the machine upright and on which can be arranged a working container for the dielectric fluid by joining a vertically movable, cross-sectionally C-shaped component to an L-shaped component in longitudinal section. The L-shaped component comprises a fixed vertical wall element forming the rear wall of the working container and the machine table plate, which is detachably connected to the fixed wall element through a seal. The machine table plate is fixable in the reference plane of the machine table by means of rapid fastening and centering devices.

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 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: 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: 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: An apparatus for severing a strip-like or wire-like electrode of a spark erosion machine has a belt conveyor formed by two belts positioned face-to-face and having formed in the belts corresponding cutting openings. Cutting elements and pressure plates engage through said cutting openings and severe the wire guided and conveyed between the belts. During cutting, the wire is held between the two belts and is subsequently conveyed towards a disposal container. The belts, cutting elements and pressure plates are operated synchronously so that the cutting openings are synchronized with the action of the cutting elements and pressure plates.

Abstract: A workpiece pallet suitable for fixing and transferring workpieces on machine tools is provided with direction-bound guidance on transfer holders. The transfer holders cooperate with a workpiece loading mechanism. The direction-bound guidance devices are located outside the working range of the fixed workpiece or outside the working range of the machining tools belonging to the machine tool. This ensures an all-round accessibility to the fixed workpiece during machining. With the aid of a quick-clamping device, the pallet can be rapidly and precisely used on the machine tool, independently of the workpiece clamping insert. Even in the case of the mass production of items, it is possible to maintain a particularly high precision in the reproduced position of the workpieces and consequently in the machining quality. The pallet can additionally be provided with a controllable waste piece locking system.

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: A spark erosion machine having two spaced apart wire electrode guidance heads, which are forcibly coupled with one another in such a way that the guidance heads are always coaxial to one another. The forced coupling takes place by a hydraulic system that includes adjusting cylinders for the guidance heads and associated control cylinders. The piston rods of the adjusting cylinders are coupled to one another. By the use of hydraulic circuits, a displacement of the piston rods of the control cylinders leads to a corresponding displacement of the piston rods of the associated adjusting cylinders, so that the orientation of both wire guidance heads is always the same. As a result of this hydraulic system, there is no need to couple the upper and lower wire guidance heads by a mechanical linkage, so that the working zone between the heads and the lateral area for the workpiece connected thereto can be of a random magnitude.

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.

Abstract: The tool changing mechanism is provided with means for the direct transfer of tools through the working sleeve or spindle. The transfer means preferably have rapid clamping means, which are controlled by the working movement of the spindle or sleeve, so that there is no need for a separate transfer station for the tools from the magazine to the spindle or sleeve, so that much space is saved. The magazine is preferably essentially arranged around the assembly for receiving and guiding the working spindle or sleeve. Preferably, the magazine is substantially located over the projected base surface of the machine working table.

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: The invention describes methods and means for optimum process control in spark erosive machining when there are considerable changes to the machining surface. By following a mathematically described process control strategy, it is possible to work in all spark erosion machining ranges without any interventions in the process control on the part of the operator.

Abstract: A displacement machine for compressible media comprising a displacement compartment bounded by an inwardly situated spiral-shaped side wall and an outwardly situated spiral-shaped side wall, the displacement compartment describing a span angle which exceeds 360.degree. and extends from an inlet to an outlet. The displacement compartment is provided with a displacement element which carries out a circulatory movement relative to the displacement compartment and likewise possesses the shape of a spiral and has practically the same span angle as the displacement compartment. The displacement element, during the course of the circulatory movement, always contacts both the outer situated side wall and the inner situated side wall at least at one respective advancing contact line. A pole of a first section, spanning approximately 360.degree.