Abstract: An electrode containing a dielectric layer on a surface of the electrode and an active zone containing a metal embedded below the surface of the electrode, wherein the electrode is configured to form a groove pattern on a workpiece by an electrochemical machining process is disclosed. The electrode is capable of manufacturing a workpiece such as a counter plate, a sleeve journal or a conical bearing containing a groove pattern for fluid dynamics bearing, the groove pattern having a pitch of less than 80 microns. The electrode could be made by a method including depositing a dielectric layer on a surface of a metal, depositing a photoresist layer on the dielectric layer, printing a groove pattern on the photoresist layer, etching or physico-chemically removing portions of the dielectric photoresist layers to form grooves in the dielectric layer; removing the photoresist layer; and filling the grooves with a metal to produce the electrode.

Abstract: An electrode (10) is provided for electrochemical reduction of a workpiece (20) that is to be treated. The electrode (10) has a predefined contour and contains an electrically conductive material. The electrically conductive material of the predefined contour forms an electrode core (12). The outside of the electrode core (12) is covered with an insulation layer (13). The insulation layer (13) is porous and is made of an electrically non-conductive material.

Abstract: A device and method for increasing the mass transport rate of a chemical or electrochemical process at the solid and fluid interface in a fluid cell. The device includes a membrane in close contact with surface of the work piece, to separate the process cell into two chambers, so that fluid velocity at the work piece is controlled separately from the main cell flow. Thus the diffusion boundary layer is controlled and minimized by the rate that fluid is withdrawn from the work piece chamber.

Abstract: On a fixture for electro-chemical machining for the production of long, curved cavities (11) in a component (12), the working electrode (3) of the electro-chemical machining tool (1) is connected to a guide body (1a) which moveably rests against the inner walls of the respective cavity by means of power-actuated guide elements (2), with the guide body being connected to a flexurally soft and torsionally stiff guide linkage (5) coupled to a feed and rotary drive. Control of the movement of the guide body is accomplished in dependence of at least one wall thickness measured with a measuring device (13, 14) during feed movement.

Abstract: A method for production of a rotor for centrifugal compressor, wherein the said rotor is produced from a monolithic disc, which is provided with a central hole. The method consists of use, within an isolating medium, of at least one first electrode which has polarity opposite the polarity of the rotor, wherein the said first electrode operates starting from the outer diameter of the monolithic disc, in order to produce the blades and the cavities of the said rotor, and wherein the processing takes place with a continuous path, consisting of a first step of roughing, followed by a second step of finishing with a tool which has a shape similar to that of the electrode used for the first roughing step, in order to produce an accurate geometry of the blades.

Abstract: An electrochemical machining process gives a workpiece such as a honeycomb panel a 3-dimensional profile form having a varying cross-section perpendicular to an axis of the profile form. In the process an electrode is maintained in a constant position relative to the axis and the surface of the profile form is exposed differentially to the action of the electrode in the axial direction to vary the amount of material removal and so vary the cross-section.

Abstract: According to this dynamic pressure groove processing method, dynamic pressure grooves are formed in specified regions by electrochemical machining with the electrode of an electrode tool put close to a workpiece in the initial stage. Through this electrochemical machining, corners of land portions adjacent to the dynamic pressure grooves can be curved and smoothed. Next, by subjecting the workpiece to electrochemical machining with the electrode of the electrode tool put away from the workpiece, the land portions are to undergo weak electrochemical machining. Surface roughness of surfaces of the land portions can be reduced, and the curved corners of the land portions can be made smoother at the same time. Therefore, the abrasion resistance characteristic of the dynamic pressure grooves can be improved further than that achieved by the conventional electrochemical machining, allowing the abrasion resistance characteristic and reliability to be sufficiently improved.

Abstract: A method for producing a separator in which a recessed gas path is formed. Depth fluctuations of the gas path can be reduced. The gas path having plural depths or gradation can be formed easily. An electrically conductive member 3, as a separator, and a processing electrode 16, having patterned electrode projections 20, are immersed in an electrolytic solution facing each other. Current is fed between member 3 and electrode 16 for electrolytic processing to dissolve the portion of the member 3 facing projections 20, thus forming a gas path 30 having a surface roughness Rz on this bottom surface 30e not larger than 1 &mgr;m.

Abstract: An electrode for use in an electrochemical machining process comprising an outer metal skin of corrosion resistant material, an inner core of conductive material, and an insulating coating disposed on an external surface of the outer metal skin. The external surface is partially coated with the insulating coating so as to define a pattern of raised areas to be formed on an internal surface of a predrilled hole in a workpiece.