Abstract: A method for controlling a wire electric discharge machine comprising the steps of: determining of at least one predefined contour deviation (Esmax) of a predefined contour to be cut into the workpiece; determining a curvature of at least one geometry element defining at least one section of the contour to be cut into the workpiece; calculating a displacement (s) of an upper guide (WGU) and a lower wire guide (WGL) based on the predefined contour deviation (Esmax) and on the curvature of the at least one predefined geometry element; and setting the displacement (s) by moving the upper guide (WGU) relative to the lower wire guide (WGL) such that the wire electrode guided by the upper (WGU) and lower wire guides (WGL) is inclined in a current cutting direction of the workpiece during cutting of the geometry element into the workpiece.

Abstract: A method for controlling a wire electric discharge machine comprising the steps of: determining of at least one predefined contour deviation (Esmax) of a predefined contour to be cut into the workpiece; determining a curvature of at least one geometry element defining at least one section of the contour to be cut into the workpiece; calculating a displacement (s) of an upper guide (WGU) and a lower wire guide (WGL) based on the predefined contour deviation (Esmax) and on the curvature of the at least one predefined geometry element; and setting the displacement (s) by moving the upper guide (WGU) relative to the lower wire guide (WGL) such that the wire electrode guided by the upper (WGU) and lower wire guides (WGL) is inclined in a current cutting direction of the workpiece during cutting of the geometry element into the workpiece.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for wire cutting electric discharge machining to achieve precise surfaces with Ra<0.1 microns. An intermittent operation is used with erosion pulses for primarily machining and erosion pulses for measuring any excursion of the wire electrode from the rest position. An evaluation unit is used to determine any excursions of the wire electrode from the rest position that might have been present during the preceding machining time, and a controller controls the machining process so that the wire electrode is practically straight during electroerosion.

Abstract: A method of and a spark erosion apparatus for fine machining by spark erosion of a workpiece (2) with a wire electrode (1) eliminates very efficiently process interruptions caused by short circuits, such that at least one gap parameter is continuously monitored for the purpose of detecting a short circuit; when a short circuit is detected, the forward motion of the electrode (1) is arrested at the point (K) where the short circuit occurred; if the short circuit persists, the electrode (1) is moved away from the workpiece (2) to an intervention point (M)--in a direction perpendicular to the path (6) used for trim cutting; at the intervention point (M), one or several measures to eliminate the short circuit are executed once or several times; and after it has been detected that the short circuit is eliminated, the electrode (1) is moved back to the point (K) where the short circuit occurred, whereafter normal machining continues.

Abstract: The apparatus (1) includes a wire-preparation (18) section upstream of the erosion point (3). Surface plating, especially with zinc, tin, and/or silver, and/or non-metal protective coating is removed from the wire while the wire is being prepared and especially while it is being cleaned and surface-treated. Substances, especially substances already present at the surface of the wire, are thermally diffused throughout that surface.