Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing a honeycomb compact-body molding die having material feed bores for supplying material therethrough and slit recesses formed in a polygonal lattice pattern to mold the material in a compact body with a honeycomb shape are disclosed. The slit recesses are formed on a recess forming surface of the molding die using an electrode having electrode segments, formed in a lattice pattern corresponding to shapes of the slit recesses each of which has a wall thickness of 0.1 mm or less, to generate an electrical discharge between the molding die and the electrode to form the slit recess on the molding die. When the electrode is worn by a given amount, an apical end cut-off processing step is executed to cut off an apical end of the electrode using a dress plate to expose a new apical end formed with an electrical discharge surface.

Abstract: A method and water-jet laser processing device for forming a honeycomb structure molding die are disclosed. The water-jet laser processing device includes a bed on which a workpiece is set, a nozzle injecting a high-pressure water stream in a water column onto the workpiece at a recess forming position thereof, a laser head for guiding the laser beam through the water column to be irradiated onto the recess forming position of the workpiece, a window member disposed between the laser head and the nozzle and transmitting and focusing the laser beam through the water column, and moving means for moving the bed and the nozzle relative to each other to shift a laser beam irradiating position along the recess forming position.