Abstract: A contact detection unit, after executing a first detection operation of contact between the wire electrode and the workpiece at a first relative movement speed and a first pulse cycle, executes a second detection operation of contact between the wire electrode and the workpiece, at a second relative movement speed which is slower than the first relative movement speed, and at a second pulse cycle which is longer than the first pulse cycle, and a movement speed control unit, after execution of the first detection operation, and prior to execution of the second detection operation, causes the wire electrode and the workpiece to relatively move in a distancing direction.

Abstract: A wire electrical discharge machine determines the position of an endface of a workpiece by relatively moving a wire electrode toward the workpiece. The wire electrical discharge machine includes: a voltage application control unit configured to continuously apply voltage pulses between the wire electrode and the workpiece; a voltage detection unit configured to detect a voltage between the wire electrode and the workpiece; a pulse occurrence ratio calculation unit configured to calculate a pulse occurrence ratio that is a ratio of the number of the voltage pulses detected by the voltage detection unit to the number of the voltage pulses applied per a predetermined time by the voltage application control unit; and an endface position determination unit configured to determine the position of the endface of the workpiece based on the pulse occurrence ratio.

Abstract: A float floating in a liquid has a spherical body having a spherical shape from which parts are cut off so as to form a regular hexagonal shape when viewed from one direction. In addition, the float is shaped so as to form a regular hexagonal shape when viewed from the above-mentioned one direction, and the floats are arranged in a honeycomb geometry to thereby reduce the contact area between the liquid and air.

Abstract: A float floating in a liquid has a spherical body having a spherical shape from which parts are cut off so as to form a regular hexagonal shape when viewed from one direction. In addition, the float is shaped so as to form a regular hexagonal shape when viewed from the above-mentioned one direction, and the floats are arranged in a honeycomb geometry to thereby reduce the contact area between the liquid and air.