Abstract: A small hole electric discharge machine for forming a small hole in a workpiece by generating electric discharge between a rotating elongate pipe electrode (49) having a diameter of 1.0 mm or less and the workpiece. The small hole electric discharge machine may contain a column (11), a W-axis slider (21, 23) attached to the column so as to be moveable in the direction of a vertical W-axis, a Z-axis slider (31) attached to the W-axis slider so as to be moveable in the direction of a vertical Z-axis, a machine head (40) attached to the Z-axis slider the pipe electrode being attached to the machine head, a linear motor (90) for moving the Z-axis slider, and a gas spring (50) for generating a balance force to counteract the gravitational force acting on the Z-axis slider.

Abstract: A small hole electric discharge machine for forming a small hole in a workpiece by generating electric discharge between a rotating elongate pipe electrode (49) having a diameter of 1.0 mm or less and the workpiece. The small hole electric discharge machine comprises a column (11), a W-axis slider (21, 23) attached to the column so as to be moveable in the direction of a vertical W-axis, a Z-axis slider (31) attached to the W-axis slider so as to be moveable in the direction of a vertical Z-axis, a machine head (40) attached to the Z-axis slider the pipe electrode being attached to the machine head, a linear motor (90) for moving the Z-axis slider, and a gas spring (50) for generating a balance force to counteract the gravitational force acting on the Z-axis slider.