Abstract: A wire electric discharge machining apparatus has a wire guide upper unit for slidably retaining a wire electrode above a subject to be machined, a wire guide lower unit for slidably retaining the wire electrode below the subject, an arm member for retaining the wire guide lower unit in a position opposite to the wire guide upper unit, a machining tank filled with machining solution in which the subject is immersed and having a long hole through which the arm member can pass and move, and a scaling unit for suppressing outflow of the machining solution from the long hole. The sealing unit has a sealing plate for blocking the long hole of the machining tank. The wire electric discharge machining apparatus has machining solution jetting unit for jetting the machining solution into a small gap formed between a peripheral portion of the long hole and the sealing plate.

Abstract: In a wire cut electric discharge machine, a correction block is inserted into a corner of a movement path where the wire electrode is moved by the electrode moving device. The correction block does not correspond to the contour of the workpiece to be machined. When it is necessary to change machining condition such as the voltage to be applied to the wire electrode before and after the corner, a changing position to change the machining condition is set on the correction block.

Abstract: A method for adjusting the gap between an upper nozzle of a wire electric discharge machine includes placing a spacer member of a known thickness between a forward end of the upper nozzle and a workpiece. The forward end of the upper nozzle is brought into contact with the spacer member, so that the forward end of the upper nozzle is prevented from coming into direct contact with the workpiece. A Z-axis position of the upper nozzle is controlled on the basis of the thickness of the spacer member and the desired nozzle gap to set the gap between the forward end of the upper nozzle and the workpiece to a predetermined value. In controlling the Z-axis position of the upper nozzle, correction is made to compensate for a deformation of the upper guide, the spacer member, the workpiece, and the upper nozzle, and/or for a displacement of the upper guide resulting from a pressure of a working fluid.

Abstract: Wire electric discharge machine in which traveling direction of wire electrode is changed by lower roller arranged at lower portion of a workpiece, wire electrode is held and pulled by capstan roller and pinch roller, and electric power is supplied between wire electrode and workpiece while wire electrode is traveling so that workpiece is machined by electric discharge energy, capstan roller and pinch roller are arranged so that angle &thgr; by which the traveling direction of wire electrode is changed by capstan roller and pinch roller, can be 0°<&thgr;<90° directed upward with respect to traveling direction of wire electrode, direction of which is changed by lower roller. Breakage of wire electrode can be supressed. Feed of wire electrode can be automated. When wire cutter is used, entry of machining solution into wire cutter can be prevented. When wire cutter is not used, accommodation of used wire electrode can be enhanced.

Abstract: A wire electric discharge machine having a simple mechanism for retracting and collecting a cutoff piece (machined chip or machined product). A cutoff piece receiving basket for receiving a cutoff piece produced during machining is attached to a support bar mounted to a lower guide block, the basket being rotatably supported by a rotary support shaft. A bearing provided in the support bar is located immediately short of a cam block, and then fitted into a slot by X-axis movement. A moment is applied to the support bar by Y-axis movement to rotate the cutoff piece receiving basket around the rotary support shaft, so that the basket is retreated to above a cutoff piece collecting box and then turned over, whereby a cutoff piece received in the basket falls into the collecting box. The cutoff piece receiving basket may be rotated manually or rotated by use of a robot, a special-purpose motor, an air cylinder, etc.

Abstract: A wire cut electric discharge machine having several wire electrode sets is disclosed. It mainly includes a cutting machine, several wire electrode sets, and an adjustable unit. Each electrode set has an upper guiding seat, a lower guiding seat, and a wire electrode. Two ends of each wire electrode can be adjusted independently so that the cutting conditions on the workpiece can be easily and precisely adjusted. Hence, the cutting angles can be adjusted independently and the cutting precision is raised than before.

Abstract: The invention concerns a high-strength erosion electrode having good electrical conductivity. The erosion electrode is made up of a steel core, an intermediate layer of copper or a copper-containing alloy, and an outer layer containing at least 40% zinc or, alternatively, a steel core and a zinc alloy outer layer having a zinc content of from 40-60%. The steel core has a patented structure which contains between 0.6 and 1 wt. % carbon and occupies an area corresponding to between 50 and 75% of the erosion electrode diameter, the intermediate layer occupying an area of between 5 and 40% of the total diameter, the outer layer occupying an area of between 10 and 30%, and the zinc content of the outer layer being between 40 and 60 wt. %. In the alternative embodiment, the steel core occupies an area corresponding to between 50 and 75% of the erosion electrode diameter and the outer layer occupies the balance.

Abstract: A wire electrical discharge machine in which a profile directing unit controls a profile of a portion in the neighborhood of an approach point, which connects an approach path portion with a machining profile portion of the relative movement path of the wire electrode and workpiece on a machined face of the workpiece. A profile of a portion in the neighborhood of the approach point on the machined face of the workpieces can be adjusted to a desired profile according to the use of the workpiece.

Abstract: A wire electric discharge machining apparatus having a structure for supplying power to a wire electrode, the structure being capable of prolonging the life of a power supply element and reducing a manufacturing cost and a running cost with a simple structure. There is provided a guide roller for guiding the wire electrode above and/or below the power supply element formed into a flat plate. The guide roller is driven by a small motor through a lead screw. An oscillating direction is perpendicular to a running direction of the wire electrode and parallel to a flat surface of the power supply element. A contact position of the wire electrode on the power supply element is varied in an area of a wide range, so that the contact position is not focused, thereby creating no groove or the like, that is attributable to friction, in the power supply element and extending the life thereof. The power supply element is formed into a simple flat plate, reducing the manufacturing cost thereof.

Abstract: In order to achieve a reduction in wear of the wire guide rollers, apart from an improvement in the cutting speed and an improvement in current conduction, a wire electrode for spark erosion cutting of metals etc., comprising either a homogenous center (1) made of a metal or of a metal alloy, or a composite center, is provided with a sheath coating (2) whose surface is structured, wherein the indentations (3) created by the structure, are filled by a filler (4) made of an easily vapourable metal or of a metal alloy, so as to achieve a surface with little peak-to-valley height, i.e. with little surface roughness.

Abstract: When die machining including machining processes from a rough machining process to a finish machining process is carried out on the same workpiece along a closed machining path, each of the points equally dividing a length of the closed machining path by the repetition number of machining processes is defined as an approach point, so that the approach points are different from each other for each machining process. This makes it possible to avoid a concentration of the approach points at one points thereby preventing a dent from being formed at the approach point.

Abstract: An automatic wire feeder of a wire electric discharge machine includes an optical sensor for detecting positional information of a wire electrode in an inserting passage between a feed roller for feeding a wire electrode and an upper wire guide; and a control unit for discriminating a state of vibration or deflection of the wire electrode according to the positional information detected by the optical sensor and also for controlling a feeding and rewinding motion of the feed roller according to a quantity of deflection of the wire electrode. Due to the foregoing, buckling caused by an inserting load in the process of automatic wire connection can be positively detected, and the reliability can be enhanced and further the repetition of connecting the wire again can be reduced.

Abstract: A wire electric discharge machine includes storage means for storing threshold value data found from a relation between the normal electric discharge pulse energy and the electric discharge machining energy setting value corresponding to various electric discharge machining conditions; and a controller for controlling the electric discharge machining energy setting value so that the threshold value data can approach an operation point at which wire breakage occurs.

Abstract: A wire electrode for spark erosion cutting of metals, electrically-conducting ceramics etc., comprising either a homogenous centre (1) made of a metal or of a metal alloy, or a composite centre made from a steel core with a coating of copper or copper alloy, wherein the wire electrode comprises at least two sheath coatings made of zinc alloys, with said coatings wearing during erosion. In order to increase performance during high-speed cutting, such a wire electrode comprises an inner sheath coating (2) predominantly comprising &bgr;-brass, and an outer sheath coating (3) predominantly comprising &ggr;-brass, wherein the fraction of &bgr;/&bgr;′-phase or &ggr;-phase in the two sheath coatings is at least 60%. The ratio of the coating thickness of &bgr;-brass to &ggr;-brass is between 0.3 and 7. The sum of the thicknesses of both sheath coatings in relation to the external diameter of the electrode is between 0.1 and 0.3.

Abstract: A wire discharge machining method that involves decreasing gradually a discharge energy from a position (point A) a first predetermined distance (Lpre) prior to a corner portion entry (point B) on machining path of a wire electrode (1), stopping a relative movement between the wire electrode (1) and the workpiece (2) at a corner portion entry (point B), releasing the stopped movement in accordance with a predetermined decision criterion, working the workpiece from the point B to a position (point D) a second distance (L) away from a position (point C) after passing the corner portion with a lower discharge energy that is reduced at a certain reduction to the discharge energy at point A, and working the workpiece by increasing gradually the discharge energy from point D to a position (point E) passing a third distance (Lpost).

Abstract: A base and fixture adapter set-up comprising a bas. The base comprising a main locating surface, an alignment surface, and a second solid surface or stop edge. A compound angle hole in the base for accommodating a clamping bolt and an adapter comprising a corresponding claiming bolt hole. As the clamping bolt is tightened the adapter contacts the main locating surface, then the alignment surface, and finally the stop edge. The adapter for connecting to a plurality of fixtures.

Abstract: An apparatus of asynchronous electric discharge machine for wire cut adopted for use in machine industries employs a first electric discharge machine unit and a second electric discharge machine unit to provide electric energy to a cutting wire to generate alternate ignition and discharge on a work piece. The asynchronous operation uses two different discharge circuits in two different time sequences to reduce the probability of occurring discharge at the same spot and effectively reduce pause time, and prevent the cutting wire from rupturing, thereby to reduce production cost and improve operation efficiency.

Abstract: A wire electrical discharge machine includes a wire bobbin 3 with a wire electrode 1 wound therearound; a fixing base 25 for fixing the wire bobbin 3 so that the wire bobbin 3 does not rotate; a guide pulley 23 for supporting the wire electrode 1; a rotating arm 21 for supporting the guide pulley 23 and for pulling out the wire electrode 1 from the wire bobbin 3 and rotating the wire electrode 1 about the wire bobbin 3; a sliding mechanism 24 for supporting the guide pulley 23 slidably with respect to the rotating arm 21, in correspondence with a winding position of the wire electrode 1 on the wire bobbin 3; and a braking motor 13 for driving the rotating arm 21. It is possible to disperse the wear of the wire electrode 1 and improve the machining rate and machining accuracy. Further, it is possible to improve the reliability and suppress an increase in cost.

Abstract: A method of and a device for adjusting perpendicularity of a wire of a wire-cut electric discharge machine for performing a precise electric discharge machining with low cost. The wire is inclined in a U-axis direction to enable the wire to come into contact with only a lower contact piece of an adjusting jig. The wire is held at fixed positions with no play at an upper wire guide and the lower wire guide in this inclined state. The adjusting jig is move in the Y-axis direction to bring the wire into contact with only the lower wire guide and a position Y1 of the contact is stored. The adjusting jig is move in the X-axis direction to enable the wire to come into contact with only the upper contact piece, and the adjusting jig is move in the Y-axis direction to bring the wire into contact with the upper wire guide and a position Y2 of the contact is stored.

Abstract: In wire electric discharge machining in which electric discharge energy is supplied between a wire electrode (1a) and a workpiece (2) by a machining electric power supply means (16) so as to machine the workpiece (2) when the wire electrode (1a) and the workpiece (2) are relatively traveled with each other by a positioning means, there are provided a first process in which rough machining is conducted in a working solution (4a) and a second process in which finish-machining is conducted in gas (7) such as air, oxygen, nitrogen or inert gas, and the positioning means is controlled by a control means (17) so that a relative traveling speed of the wire electrode (1a) with the workpiece (2) in the second process can be set at a constant rate not lower than a predetermined rate at which a short circuit can not continue between the electrodes for a predetermined period of time and more which has been previously set according to a required specification.

Abstract: A wire electrical discharge machining apparatus for machining a workpiece (2) by supplying discharge energy to a gap between a wire electrode (1a) and the workpiece (2) by working-electric-power supplying means (16) having a dc power supply (17) and switching means (19a, 19b, 19c, and 19d) for switching an output voltage of the dc power supply (17), and by relatively moving the wire electrode (1a) and the workpiece (2) by positioning means includes: controlling means (20) which, during machining in a gas, controls the turning on and off of the switching means (19a, 19b, 19c, and 19d) so that the voltage is set to reverse polarity whereby the polarity of the wire electrode (1a) is made positive and the polarity of the workpiece (2) is made negative.

Abstract: A system and method for accomplishing combined electro-erosion and mechanical cutting of a workpiece which includes an outer metallic jacket and a non-metallic inner core. An elongated wire electrode is provided and is unwound from a supply spool through a pair of forming rollers, during which a specified polygonal and cross sectional shape with a textured outer surface is imparted upon the electrode. Pairs of feed rollers are located to each of supply and take-up sides relative the workpiece, and with the electrode being guidably extended between each of the pairs of rollers. Tensioning rollers are also located on each of the feed and take-up sides of the electrode. An electrical current generating and delivery component is provided in communication with the electrode which electro-erodes the outer metallic jacket of the workpiece.

Abstract: An electrode for electric discharge machining comprises a high strength pearlitic steel wire having a carbon content higher than 0.6% and a tensile strength higher than 3000 N/mm2. The steel wire is coated with a copper free zinc or zinc alloy coating. The electrode is in particular suitable for high precision performance applications.

Abstract: A wire electric discharge machine capable of preventing a straightness error from being caused by consumption of a wire electrode, to thereby eliminate insufficient machining. A correction angle &phgr; is predetermined for preventing the straightness error of the workpiece due to consumption thereof. Correction amounts d1′, d2′ on a program plane and an upper surface of a workpiece, respectively, are determined based on the predetermined correction angle &phgr;, and are added to or subtracted from a predetermined offset amount depending on a wire electrode radius and an electric discharging gap, to thereby determine corrected offset amounts d1, d2 on the program plane and the upper surface of the workpiece, respectively. Correction amounts dlo, dup for lower and upper wire guides in an offset direction are obtained based on the corrected offset amounts d1, d2, respectively, so that motion paths of upper and lower wire guides relative to the workpiece are determined.

Abstract: The wire electric-discharge machining apparatus is provided with an inter-pole voltage correction unit 109 which corrects a voltage corresponding to an inter-pole voltage according to a correction coefficient which increases with an elongation of discharge stop time. A corrected voltage corresponding to the inter-pole voltage output from the inter-pole voltage correction unit 109 is given to a control unit 106 to allow a wire electrode 101 and a workpiece 102 to relatively move according to the corrected voltage corresponding to the inter-pole voltage.

Abstract: In the wire electric-discharge machining apparatus, when a measured voltage exceeds a proportional constant switching voltage that is set higher than a short circuit reference voltage, a relative feed rate determining unit outputs a relative feed rate based on a preliminarily set proportional constant A according to an increase in the measured voltage. When the measured voltage is equal to a reference voltage, the relative feed rate determining unit outputs a target feed rate that becomes a target value, and also outputs a relative feed rate that follows a preset proportional constant B (<A) and that is a positive value when the measured voltage exceeds the short circuit reference voltage but is below the proportional constant switching voltage.

Abstract: Automated wire connection is performed, and when the wire connection succeeds, the wire feed rate during the next connection is set to a value one stage faster. On the other hand, when connection fails the wire feed rate is set to a value one stage slower.

Abstract: A workpiece is machined by consecutively performing at least two of machining in a machining solution, machining in a mist and machining in a gas, such that at a point of time before the start of machining, except for the machining conducted in the machining solution, and a point of time after the operation of an automatic wire connecting device for conducting an automatic wire connection while the wire electrode is being held by a water column, the machining solution nozzles, can change from supplying the machining solution to supplying the pressurized gas. By the machining solution nozzles, liquid of the machining solution adhering to the workpiece and liquid adhering to the machining solution nozzle which is capable of dripping onto a face to be machined of the workpiece, are removed.

Abstract: A system and method for accomplishing combined electro-erosion and mechanical cutting of a workpiece which includes an outer metallic jacket and a non-metallic inner core. An elongated wire electrode is provided and is unwound from a supply spool through a pair of forming rollers, during which a specified polygonal and cross sectional shape with a textured outer surface is imparted upon the electrode. Pairs of feed rollers are located to each of supply and take-up sides relative the workpiece, and with the electrode being guidably extended between each of the pairs of rollers. Tensioning rollers are also located on each of the feed and take-up sides of the electrode. An electrical current generating and delivery component is provided in communication with the electrode which electro-erodes the outer metallic jacket of the workpiece.

Abstract: A wire electric discharge machine capable of preventing breakage of a wire and perform an automatic wire connection/extension process in machining a wall portion of a concave, a groove, a hole, etc. formed on the workpiece. A wire turning unit is attached to one of an upstream wire guide unit and a downstream wire guide unit. The wire turning unit has a first wire turning guide and a second wire turning guide. The first wire turning guide turns the wire fed from the upstream wire guide unit towards the second wire turning guide, and the second wire turning guide turns the wire towards the downstream wire guide unit. After aligning the upstream wire guide unit and the downstream wire guide unit, the wire is automatically connected therebetween. The upstream wire guide unit is moved such that the wire is successively caught by the first wire turning guide and the second wire turning guide.

Abstract: An automatic wire feeder of a wire electric discharge machine in which electric discharge is generated between a traveling wire electrode (1) and a workpiece so as to machine the workpiece by the electric discharge energy, comprises: a feed roller (2) for feeding the wire electrode (1); a slider block (11) supported being capable of going up and down; a guide pipe (9), fixed to the slider block (11), for guiding the wire electrode (1); a hollow member (10), fixed to the slider block (11), the outer diameter of which is reduced in a wire feed direction; and a pressurized gas supply for supplying pressurized gas toward the outer diameter of the hollow member (10), wherein a forward end section of the hollow member (10) is inserted into an inner diameter section of an upper section of the guide pipe (9) while a predetermined overlapping length L is kept, a predetermined clearance D1 is formed between the inner diameter of the guide pipe (9) and the outer diameter of the forward end section of the hollow member (

Abstract: A wire electrical discharge machining apparatus for machining a workpiece (2) by supplying electric discharge energy to a gap between a wire electrode (1a) and the workpiece (2) by machining-electric-power supplying means and by relatively moving the wire electrode (1a) and the workpiece (2) by positioning means has fluid supplying means (12) in which a working-fluid supplying means for supplying a working liquid (4a) to the gap, a mist supplying means for supplying a mist (7) to the gap, a gas supplying means for supplying a gas (8) to the gap, and a cooling-fluid supplying means for supplying the working liquid (4a) which is a cooling fluid for cooling the workpiece (2) are combined and are formed integrally. It is possible to effect wire electrical discharge machining which is suitable for attainment of higher accuracy and higher quality.

Abstract: A method of wire electric discharge machining by which an electric discharge is generated in a gap between a wire electrode (1a) and a workpiece (2) so that the workpiece (2) is machined, includes the steps of: a first step in which electric discharge machining is conducted in a dielectric liquid (4a); a second step in which electric discharge machining is conducted in mist (7); and a third step in which electric discharge machining is conducted in gas (8), such that the machining process is changed over when straightness of the workpiece (2) becomes a predetermined value. It is possible to provide a method of wire electric discharge machining, the productivity of which is high, suitable for highly accurate machining.

Abstract: A wire electrical discharge machining apparatus for discharge-machining a work (1) by relatively moving a wire electrode (5) and the work (1) by drive means (10) and by feeding a machining energy to the space between the wire electrode (5) and the work (1) by machining power feeding means (11). The wire electrical discharge machining apparatus comprises shape specifying means (15) for specifying, depending on the use of the work (1), the shape of a portion in the vicinity of an approach point (O) at which an approach path portion (4) of a relative movement path of the relative movement between the wire electrode (5) on the face to be machined of the work (1) and the work (1) and a machining shape portion (2) are connected, into a convex or concave shape to a desired degree, and adjusting means (16) for adjusting the shape of the portion in the vicinity of the approach point (O) on the basis of the specified value by the shape specifying means (15).

Abstract: A machine tool with a machine frame is disclosed. A first tool guide is provided on the frame to guide a tool to a first guide position. The first tool guide is a movable gantry carrier with a movable first sliding carriage. The tool guide can be moved with respect to the machine frame in a first plane along a first direction and in a second direction which is orthogonal with respect to the first direction. Furthermore, a second tool guide is provided on the machine frame to guide the tool to a second guide position. The second tool guide can be moved with respect to the machine frame in a second plane along a third direction and a fourth direction which is orthogonal to the third direction, independently of the first tool guide. Finally, a tool holder is provided on the machine frame to hold the machined part. The machined part is led between the first and the second guide positions of the tool. The second tool guide is a movable gantry carrier with a movable second sliding carriage.

Abstract: A metal mold is machined via a computer numerically controlled wire-cut electrical discharge technique so as to describe a fractally profiled parallel grooves-and-ridges configuration. Fibers are placed along the mold's grooves. Using the mold combined with the fibers situate in its grooves, a first composite portion is resin transfer molded so as as to describe a complementary fractally profiled parallel grooves-and-ridges configuration, and to include, in its ridges, the fibers situate in the mold's grooves. Fibers are placed along the first composite portion's grooves. Using the first composite portion combined with the fibers situate in its grooves, a second composite portion is resin transfer molded so as as to describe a complementary fractally profiled parallel grooves-and-ridges configuration, and to include, in its ridges, the fibers situate in the first composite portion's grooves, and to effect secondary bonding of the first and second composite portions.

Abstract: A vise with the precision to match the quality expected of a Wire Electrical Discharge Machine. With the quality of the vise you can locate parts with extreme repeatability from part to part enabling to produce parts with exact duplication. With the range of the opening you are able to hold a variety of sizes of parts and with the low compact profile you are less likely to run into interference with the machine while in the cutting operation. Due to the exposure of water in the cutting operation on the Wire Electrical Discharge Machine the vise is made from stainless steel and for wear resistance the stainless steel of a heat treatable grade.

Abstract: A tooling set-up to accurately interchange a wide variety of fixtures to be used in a high precision manufacturing process. With the use of an adapter with standard mounting holes custom or standard fixtures could be linked to the machine tool with extreme accuracy in alignment. With the three surface contact achieved by a single clamping pressure, extreme repeatability is built into the design. This system would enable a manufacturing facility to create a more continuous work flow through their Electrical Discharge Machine Department.

Abstract: Devices and methods for threading a wire electrode in a wire erosion machine are disclosed. A feed-through channel is provided for producing a fluid jet within which the machining electrode is guided. One or more control devices are provided for varying the cross section of the feed-through channel and, thus, the cross section of the fluid jet.

Abstract: Vertically divided reticulated cage 20 is provided for receiving machined chips 2. A lower cage 21 is fitted into a lower guide 11 or a nozzle 14, and the lower cage 21 is detachably mounted thereto. An upper cage 22 is mounted to an upper guide 10 or a nozzle 13. During machining, the upper and lower cages 21 and 22 are brought into close contact with each other, and an electric discharge machining portion is surrounded by the cage 20. A work piece 1 and a clamp member 5 can move relatively with respect to the cage 22 and a wire electrode 12 by a notch 22a formed in the upper cage 22.

Abstract: The wire electric discharge machining apparatus includes apparatus or generating a discharge in a gap between a wire electrode (1a) and a machining subject (2) to machine the machining subject. A gas supplying unit (8) supplies a pressurized gas in the gap between the wire electrode and the machining subject. This wire electric discharge machining apparatus has a high productivity, and it is suitable for high-precision machining.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for the processing of a work piece by electrical discharge, the processing being carried out with at least two wire electrodes. In the process, the offset of both the positions of the at least two wire electrodes relative to one another are determined, which positions the wire electrodes occupy upon their clamping, because of their angles of contact on a corresponding wire guide and their different wire characteristics at the level of the work piece. Further, the positions for the wire electrodes during the processing of the work piece after a change from one wire electrode to the next one are connected on the basis of the offset determined between these wire electrodes.

Abstract: The shape of each electrical supply die for contact-supplying electricity to a wire electrode is changed to a cylindrical shape, and grooves are provided in its outer surface in parallel to the traveling direction of the wire, wherein upper electric supply is effected by contact-supplying of electricity at a projecting surface formed between adjacent ones of the grooves, while lower electric supply is effected by pressure contact-supplying of electricity by causing a concave surface to contact the groove.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for making an object. The invention includes the division of a shape of an object into a plurality of layers, and arranging the thickness of the layers based on the curvature of the object to be made. Further, curving edges of the object are replaced with linear sloping edges on the layers. The invention reduces the cost and improves the speed of rapid prototyping, especially with machining methods such as wire electrodischarge machining and laser machining.

Abstract: A wire guide for an electric discharge machine is designed with three elongated, cylindrical ceramic rods which close around the electrode wire to maintain its center orientation. The ceramic rods are removably held in pivotal clamps for replacement when they become worn. The clamps are inter-linked to move toward and away from one another, with an infinite range of adjustment; and once the rods are positioned to clamp the wire electrode, the jaws are locked in position during the operation of the electric discharge machine.

Abstract: A predicted discharge gap g(n) and a predicted minimum gap gmax(n) between a workpiece (1) and a wire electrode (2) to prevent a short-circuit are added to the machining conditions, and read in doing a program check, and a predicted allowance for machining m(n) in the nth machining is calculated from the predicted discharge gap g(n), a correction amount y(n) of the wire electrode (2) for the workpiece (1) and a wire electrode diameter d, in which the predicted allowance for machining m (n) in the nth machining and the predicted minimum gap gmax (n) between the workpiece and the wire electrode to prevent short-circuiting in the nth machining are displayed on a display unit (17).

Abstract: The method includes the steps of preparing a die main body; performing batch supply hole machining with respect to one principal plane of the die main body to form batch supply holes; using a cutting apparatus to perform slit machining with respect to the other principal plane of the die main body to form slits; without removing the cutting apparatus from the die main body, continuously performing lateral hole machining to form the batch bold portions, which are arranged at least at intersecting portions in the die main body between the batch supply holes and the slits and are arranged corresponding to the slits; and there after removing the cutting apparatus from the die main body to thereby form an integral die. Alternatively, the above slit machining and continuously performing lacteral hole machining steps can be performed first and followed by performing the batch supply hole machining step.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for vertically calibrating a wire of a wire cutting electric discharge machine are provided. The vertical calibration apparatus includes a body, an upper calibration board and a lower calibration board attached to the body and parallel to a machine table, with a circular hole formed through the upper calibration board and on the lower calibration board respectively. The two circular holes are coaxial and have different diameters. The method of wire vertical calibration includes searching for the circle centers of the two circular holes by contacting the circles several times with the wire in a prescribed manner, then passing the wire through the circle centers. The method and apparatus allow wire vertical calibration to be more easily and accurately performed.

Abstract: A device for quality decision of a machining state of an electric spark machine to apply voltage in a pulse form to a machining space between an electrode and a workpiece for contour machining by pulse discharging includes a plurality of machining state detection apparatus each of which detects a different physical quantity that denotes a machining state. The physical quantity being machining speed, machining voltage, machining current, on and off times of voltage applied to an electrode, total number of discharges, number of abnormal discharges, abnormal discharging rate, and discharging frequency. Furthermore, a machining state evaluation and quality decision apparatus (49) synthetically evaluates the machining state and quality decision of the machining state based on a combination of comparison of the physical quantities detected by the machining state detection apparatus with predetermined standard values for each of the physical quantities.

Abstract: The invention concerns an electrode wire comprising a metal core (16) coated with a zinc surface cladding (17) whereof the thickness (E) ranges between 2 and 4 &mgr;m, thereby providing a better compromise between machining speed, precision of workpieces and surface condition of the machined workpieces.