Abstract: A cartridge assembly for a travelling wire electrode electrical discharge machining apparatus includes a cartridge barrel having a first open end and a second open end, and a wire guide mounted in the first open end of the cartridge barrel for guiding the wire electrode. A current pick-up holder is mounted in the second open end of the cartridge barrel and includes an index pin for engagement with a current pick-up. A current pick-up is provided for delivering current to the wire electrode, the current pick-up being mounted in the pick-up holder and including a longitudinal bore for engagement with the wire electrode. The current pick-up includes a first end and a second end, with a tool engagement portion located at the first end of the current pick-up for engagement of a tool to rotate the current pick-up relative to the current pick-up holder. An index pin receiving portion is located at the second end of the current pick-up for receiving the index pin of the current pick-up holder.

Abstract: An electrical discharge wire cutting machine includes a current pick-up for delivering current pulses from a power supply to an electrode wire. The current pick-up includes a central bore with a continuous curvilinear cross section. The current pick-up is mounted in a holder secured in a first open end of a cartridge barrel. A wire guide for guiding the passage of a wire electrode is mounted in a second open end of the cartridge barrel. A nozzle for directing de-ionized fluid around the wire electrode is secured on the second open end of the cartridge barrel adjacent the wire guide. The current pick-up holder includes a central bore offset from its longitudinal axis in a first direction. A wire pre-guide is mounted adjacent the current pick-up in an enlarged threaded bore of the current pick-up holder. The enlarged threaded bore is offset from the longitudinal axis of the pick-up holder in a second direction.

Abstract: An electrical discharge wire cutting machine (EDWC) includes an apparatus for controlling the flow of electrical energy between an electrically conductive piece part and a wire electrode of the EDWC machine. A pulse type power supply has first and second leads of opposite polarity with the first lead being electrically connected to the piece part and the second lead having first and second portions connected to the wire electrode at two separate, spaced-apart locations. Diodes electrically isolate the first and second portions of the second lead line whereby the first and second portions of the second lead line are electrically independent from one another. Further, first and second independently controllable arrays of capacitors are connected between the first lead line and the first and second portions of the second lead line respectively. The capacitance of these arrays is controllably adjustable to a range of values suitable for the instantaneous cutting conditions.