Abstract: A wire guiding device for enabling the guiding of a wire electrode at an angle with respect to the normal straight line of wire travel. The wire is placed at an angle by the upper and/or lower wire guide assemblies being displaced from one another. The wire guiding device includes a guide member having a bore that increases in diameter toward a first opening and wherethrough the wire electrode is received. The guide member is pivotally supported and is allowed to pivotally move about a point along the longitudinal axis of the bore about two axes of rotation. Pivotal movement of the guide member is caused by the wire electrode traveling at an angle between the guide assemblies with respect to the normal straight line of wire travel. Fluid under pressure is caused to be directed through the guide member and out toward a workpiece substantially surrounding the wire electrode for flushing the workpiece cutting area.

Abstract: A current pickup assembly for placing electrical current on a moving wire electrode in an electrical discharge machine apparatus and having a normal straight line of travel. The current pickup assembly includes a current pickup having a bore therethrough for receiving the wire electrode. The bore longitudinal axis is at an angle with respect to the normal straight line of wire travel and the moving wire electrode contacts the bore contact wall therein. A pivot means is provided for selectively pivoting the carbide pickup longitudinal axis at an angle with respect to the straight line of wire travel. A rotation means rotates the current pickup about the bore longitudinal axis. In the alternative, the current pickup is supported on a gimball means for selectively pivoting the pickup about two mutually perpendicular and intersecting axes of rotation intersecting at a point.

Abstract: A guide assembly for guiding an electrical discharge machine apparatus moving wire electrode through a workpiece. The guide assembly includes first, second, and third guide members, each having a bore for receiving the moving wire electrode and a current pickup is located between the second and third guide members. The first guide member is closest to the workpiece. The first and second guide members are mounted on a guide body at respective first and second openings communicating with one another through a wire passageway through the guide body. The guide body includes a threaded portion and a nut member is used for engaging the threaded portion and attaching the guide body to the support assembly. The nut member includes a housing defining a fluid passageway and an outlet bore for creating a threading fluid stream.

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.