Abstract:
A spark erosion device including a storage capacitor which is periodically discharged across the gap between the electrode and workpiece. The improvement concerns means for limiting the duration of the arc discharge phase of the operation comprising, a source of constant current for charging the capacitor, means for disconnecting the current source from the capacitor when the gap breakdown voltage is reached, and the addition of an inductor in the capacitor discharge circuit to provide a resonant effect to limit the arc time across the gap.
Abstract:
An electric discharge machining apparatus utilizing a piezoelectric element having two metal coatings which form a capacitor. A voltage is applied to the coatings which causes the piezoelectric element to oscillate, and by controlling the current to the piezoelectric element, the gap distance can be varied. The oscillation frequency is determined by the current supplied and the gap discharge rate.