Abstract: A process method for planetary erosion of an existing depression using a finishing or dressing operation. A non-circular target path is used instead of the prior art method of a circular target path and predominantly circular translational movements so that the geometric shape of the electrode does not result in the workpiece volume being eroded much slower at the non-corner surface regions than in the corner regions. A preset target value path is defined for each planetary revolution by determining the actual movement of at least one preceeding planetary revolution based on the difference between the target value path and the actual value path, with each preset target value path being delimited by the final target value path.