JPH11825A - Electric discharge machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electric discharge machine that can supply useful machinery with integrated functions demanded by a user at a low cost and within a short period of time. SOLUTION: This electric discharge machine A is composed of the following independent units that can be separated individually and can be combined according to an objective of processing: a processing vessel unit 1 that contains working fluid, an electrode forming device unit 3 that feeds an electrode forming wire into the processing vessel unit 1 in forming the electrode, an X-axis table unit 2 and a Y-axis table unit 4 that position the processing vessel unit 1 and the electrode forming device unit 3 with respect to the X- and Y-axis directions, and a processing device unit 5 that forms an electrode by using the electrode forming wire in forming the electrode and performs electric discharge machining of a workpiece by the use of this formed electrode in processing the workpiece.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electric discharge machine for machining a workpiece or forming an electrode by electric discharge machining.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As shown in FIG.
Numeral 0 denotes a machining tank 51 for storing an insulating machining fluid used for electric discharge machining, a Y-axis table 52 for positioning the machining tank 51 at a predetermined position in the front-rear direction (Y-axis direction), and an electrode forming wire at the time of electrode forming. An electrode forming device 53 for feeding the electrode into the processing tank 51, an X-axis table 54 for positioning the Y-axis table 52 and the electrode forming device 53 at predetermined positions in the left-right direction (X-axis direction), The processing tank 5 is rotated by the electrode forming apparatus 53 while rotating in the Z-axis direction).
The electrode is formed by electric discharge machining using the electrode forming wire fed into the apparatus 1, and at the time of work processing, the apparatus is constituted by a machining apparatus 55 for performing electric discharge machining of a work fixed in the machining tank 51 using the electrodes. Elements 51 to 55 are integrated. The predetermined positions in the X, Y, and Z axis directions are instructed by control commands from a controller (not shown).

[0003] In the case of performing fine machining on a work, for example, by using the conventional electric discharge machine 50 having such a configuration, first, an electrode for micromachining is formed, and then the formed electrode is used to process the work. Often do. Hereinafter, respective operations of the conventional electric discharge machine 50 at the time of forming an electrode and at the time of processing a workpiece will be schematically described with reference to FIG.

(At the time of forming an electrode) As shown in FIG.
The electrode forming wire WE and the electrode ER are moved by the Y-axis table 52, the X-axis table 54, and the processing device 55 in the X, Y, and Z directions so that the electrode forming wire WE and the electrode ER are opposed to each other with a very small gap in the working fluid. Is positioned. The electrode forming wire WE is guided by a wire guide WG and travels in a P direction in the figure. On the other hand, the electrode E
R is rotated in the Q direction in the figure.

[0005] Then, in this state, a short-time pulsed arc discharge that causes dielectric breakdown of the working fluid is applied to the machining apparatus 55.
By repeating the above, the electrode ER is sequentially heated, melted, and vaporized sequentially in the upward direction (Z direction) from the lower end portion, whereby the electrode for electric discharge machining can be accurately subjected to electric discharge machining. A similar phenomenon is caused by the electrode forming wire W
Although it also occurs on the E side and is consumed, the local amount of consumption is smaller than that on the electrode ER side because of the polarity of the electrode and the running of the electrode forming wire WE.

[0006] When the discharge electrode is formed as described above, oil is used as a working fluid to perform machining with priority on accuracy.

(At the time of work processing) At the time of work processing, the electrodes formed above are used. In this case, as shown in FIG. 9B, the electrode ER and the work WK are connected to the Y-axis table 52, the X-axis table 54, and the processing so that the electrode ER and the work WK face each other with a very small gap in the working fluid. The positioning is performed in the X, Y, and Z directions by the device 55, respectively. On the other hand, the electrode ER is rotated in the Q direction in the figure. In this state, the workpiece WK is locally heated sequentially from the upper end thereof downward (in the Z direction) by repeating a short-time pulsed arc discharge that causes dielectric breakdown of the working fluid in the processing device 55. The work WK can be subjected to electric discharge machining by melting and vaporizing. The same phenomenon occurs on the side of the electrode ER for electric discharge machining and is consumed. However, depending on the polarity of the electrode, the local consumption is smaller than that of the workpiece WK. When processing a workpiece in this way, speed-priority processing is performed using pure water as a processing liquid.

(Electrode reshaping) As the work is advanced, the electrode ER is gradually consumed, and it is necessary to reshape the electrode ER. In this case, the electrode forming is performed after the depleted portion of the electrode ER is cut by an appropriate method. In this manner, the work WK is subjected to fine processing by repeating the electrode forming and the work processing.

[0009]

In the structure of the above-mentioned conventional electric discharge machine 50, the components 51 to 55 are integrated, and in order to make the most suitable use for the purpose of use, there are many kinds of exclusive use. Machines must be stocked. In addition, when trying to optimize the processing conditions by changing the processing liquid used at the time of electrode forming and at the time of processing the work, the work of changing the processing liquid is required, and the operating rate of the machine is reduced. Further, in this case, maintenance work such as cleaning of the processing tank 51 is also required, and the maintenance is complicated.

On the other hand, as the applications of the electric discharge machine have been expanded, the purpose of use has been diversified, and there has been a demand for providing an inexpensive and short-term mechanical device in which functions required by the user are integrated.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and a main object of the present invention is to provide an electric discharge machine capable of providing a low-cost and short-time device that integrates functions required by a user without waste. Is to provide a machine.

[0012]

Means for Solving the Problems To achieve the above object, the present invention provides a machining tank for charging a machining fluid for electric discharge machining, an electrode forming apparatus for feeding an electrode forming wire into the machining tank at the time of forming an electrode, Electrode forming by electric discharge machining using an X-axis table and a Y-axis table for positioning the processing tank and the electrode forming apparatus at predetermined positions in the left-right and front-rear directions, and an electrode forming wire fed into the processing tank by the electrode forming apparatus during electrode forming. In the electric discharge machine, which consists of a machining device that performs electric discharge machining on the workpiece fixed in the machining tank using electrodes during workpiece machining, each component is made into an independent unit that can be separated from each other, and these independent units are The feature is that the units can be combined according to the processing purpose. In such a configuration, since each component is a separable independent unit,
By combining these independent units according to the machining purpose without having to stock many types of dedicated machines, electric discharge machines for various applications can be easily configured. As a result, it is possible to provide a lean and inexpensive mechanical device in which functions required by the user are integrated.

Further, if the machining tank is further divided into a first machining tank for containing a machining fluid used for forming an electrode and a second machining tank for containing a machining fluid used for electric discharge machining, the respective machining conditions It is possible to use a processing tank containing a processing liquid most suitable for the above. In addition, there is no need to change the working fluid, and it is possible to prevent a decrease in the operating rate of the machine. Further, in this case, maintenance work such as cleaning of the processing tank is not required, and maintenance is simplified.

[0014]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings to provide an understanding of the present invention.
The following embodiments are examples in which the present invention is embodied, and do not limit the technical scope of the present invention.

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing the overall configuration of the electric discharge machine A according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view thereof. As shown in FIG. 1, an electric discharge machine A according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a machining tank unit 1 for charging an insulating machining fluid used for electric discharge machining, and a machining tank unit 1 in a left-right direction (X-axis direction). X) to position at the specified position
The axis table unit 2, the electrode forming device unit 3 that feeds the electrode forming wire into the processing tank unit 1 during electrode forming, and the X-axis table unit 2 and the electrode forming device unit 3 at predetermined positions in the front-rear direction (Y-axis direction). Using the Y-axis table unit 4 to be positioned and the electrode forming wire fed out into the processing tank unit 1 by the electrode forming apparatus unit 3 by rotating and driving the electrodes in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction) during electrode forming. An electrode is formed by electric discharge machining, and the workpiece is constituted by a machining apparatus unit 5 for performing electric discharge machining of a work fixed in the machining tank unit 1 by rotating the electrode while moving the electrode in a vertical direction during work machining. 1 to 5 are separable independent units, and these independent units can be combined with each other according to a processing purpose. Forms. Note that the above X, Y, Z
Each predetermined position in the axial direction is designated by a control command from a controller (not shown).

As shown in FIG. 2, the machining apparatus unit 5 includes a machining unit 6 that holds and rotates the electrodes for electric discharge machining and a Z unit that moves the machining unit 6 in the Z-axis direction.
It comprises a shaft slider unit 7 and a column unit 8 for holding the Z-axis slider unit 7.

The electric discharge machine A shown in FIG. 3 shows a basic mode constituted by using all the units shown in FIG. That is, when the electric discharge machine A is configured by using all of the functional modules divided into the basic module units, the basic form is obtained, and the electric discharge machine A has the same function as the conventional example shown in FIGS. Will be.
In addition, if the processing tank unit 1 is omitted, the apparatus becomes a dedicated electrode forming machine. If the electrode forming device unit 3 is omitted,
Special machine for work processing. Further, when the X-axis table unit 2 is omitted, the machine is a dedicated hole drilling machine for forming holes arranged in one direction. As described above, in the electric discharge machine A, an optimal electric discharge machine according to the application can be easily configured.

When, for example, a work is to be finely processed by the electric discharge machine A having such a configuration, similarly to the conventional example, an electrode for fine processing is first formed, and then the formed electrode is removed. The workpiece is processed by using it. Hereinafter, respective operations of the electric discharge machine A at the time of forming an electrode and at the time of processing a work will be schematically described with reference to FIG.

(At the time of forming the electrode) As shown in FIG.
The X-axis table unit 2, the Y-axis table unit 4 and the processing device unit 5 respectively move the electrode forming wire WE and the electrode ER by X and Y so that the electrode forming wire WE and the electrode ER face each other with a very small gap in the working fluid.
Positioning is performed in the Y and Z directions. The electrode forming wire WE is guided by a wire guide WG and travels in a P direction in the figure. On the other hand, the electrode ER is rotated in the Q direction in the figure. Then, in this state, a short-time pulsed arc discharge that causes dielectric breakdown of the machining fluid is repeated in the machining apparatus unit 5 so that the electrodes ER are sequentially and locally localized in an upward direction (Z direction) from the lower end thereof. By heating, melting, and vaporizing, the electrode for electric discharge machining can be precisely subjected to electric discharge machining. A phenomenon similar to this is the electrode forming wire WE
Although it is also generated and consumed on the side, the local amount of consumption is smaller than that on the electrode ER side because the polarity of the electrode is taken and the electrode forming wire WE is running. When forming an electrode in this way, processing is performed with priority on accuracy using oil as a processing liquid.

(At the time of work processing) At the time of work processing, the electrode formed above is used. In this case, as shown in FIG. 9B, the electrode ER and the work WK are connected to the X-axis table unit 2 and the Y-axis table unit 4 so that the electrode ER and the work WK face each other with a very small gap in the working fluid. And X, Y,
It is positioned in the Z direction. On the other hand, the electrode ER is rotated in the Q direction in the figure. In this state, the workpiece WK is locally heated sequentially from the upper end thereof downward (in the Z direction) by repeating a short-time pulsed arc discharge that causes dielectric breakdown of the working fluid in the processing device 55. The work WK can be subjected to electric discharge machining by melting and vaporizing. The same phenomenon occurs on the electrode ER side and is consumed. However, depending on the polarity of the electrode, the local consumption is smaller than that on the work WK side. In addition,
When processing a workpiece in this way, speed-priority processing is performed using pure water as a processing liquid.

(Electrode Reforming) When the work is advanced, the electrodes ER are gradually consumed, and it is necessary to reshape the electrodes ER. In this case, the electrode forming is performed after the depleted portion of the electrode ER is cut by an appropriate method. In this manner, the work WK is subjected to fine processing by repeating the electrode forming and the work processing.

In the electric discharge machine A, the machining tank unit 1 is provided with an oil machining tank unit (corresponding to a first machining tank) for containing oil, which is a machining fluid used for forming an electrode, and a machining tank used for machining a workpiece. It may be further divided into a pure water processing tank unit (corresponding to a second processing tank) for storing pure water as a liquid, and the oil processing tank unit may be integrated with the electrode forming apparatus unit 3. .

Thus, even if it is attempted to optimize the processing conditions by changing the processing liquid used at the time of forming the electrode and at the time of processing the work, it is possible to cope by selecting and using one of the processing tank units. Therefore, there is no need to exchange the working fluid, and it is possible to prevent a decrease in the operating rate of the machine. Further, in this case, maintenance work such as cleaning of the processing tank unit is not required, and maintenance is simplified. In addition, by dividing the processing tank unit, the processing liquid (for example, pure water) of the work processing tank (for example, pure water processing tank unit) is discharged, the work is attached and detached, exchanged, and the processing liquid is removed within the time required for electrode forming. A series of continuous processing such as injection and setup work can be easily realized, and there is also an effect of greatly increasing the operation rate as compared with the conventional apparatus.

In addition, in the electric discharge machine A, a dedicated table unit 9 for fixing a work, a main body base unit 10 for supporting the Y-axis table unit 4 and the column unit 8 and a unit for appropriately combining the units are used. And the like.

In the electric discharge machine A shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a rod-shaped electrode is used as a workpiece machining electrode. Needless to say, a needle-shaped electrode or a wire-shaped electrode can be used. It is. In this case, it is necessary to replace the processing unit 6 of the processing device unit 5 with another unit. However, the replacement can be performed in units, which is easier than the conventional example.

When the precision of work processing is not so required, the electrode may be used as it is without being formed into a fine processing electrode, or may be subjected to electric discharge machining using a separately prepared electrode.

Further, in the electric discharge machine A, the machining tank unit 1 is mounted on the X-axis table unit 2, and the X-axis table unit 2 and the electrode forming device unit 3 are mounted on the Y-axis.
Although the X-axis table unit 4 is mounted on the axis table unit 4, the X-axis table unit 2 and the Y-axis table unit 4 may be reversely arranged, or an XY-axis table in which both are combined may be used.

[0028]

4 to 7 show front views of respective electric discharge machines which are examples of the above embodiment. FIG. 4 shows that
In the electric discharge machine B according to the first embodiment, a machining unit 6a having a function of removing the machining unit 6 from the basic form A shown in FIG. 3 and sending a needle-shaped electrode in the Z-axis direction.
Is attached. FIG. 5 shows the second embodiment.
Which is equipped with a machining unit 6b having a function of feeding a wire-shaped electrode in the Z-axis direction.

The electric discharge machines B, shown in FIGS.
C shows a needle-like or a wire-like one which has been removed from the basic form A shown in FIG. 3 and has an electrode cutting unit 3a having a high-speed electrode cutting function, and which has been consumed by actual work of electric discharge machining. By continuously cutting and removing the tip portion of the electrode by the electrode cutting unit 3a, a continuous and highly accurate electric discharge machining operation can be realized.

FIG. 6 shows an electric discharge machine D according to a third embodiment. In the electric discharge machine D according to the basic embodiment A shown in FIG. 3, the X-axis table unit 2, the machining tank unit 1, and the dedicated table unit 9 are used. An electrode forming unit 1a in which the processing tank unit 1 is detached and enlarged is mounted, and a spacer unit 11a in accordance with which is enlarged. This electric discharge machine D is most suitable as an electric discharge machine for electrode and shaft machining.

FIG. 7 shows an electric discharge machine E according to a fourth embodiment, in which the electrode forming apparatus unit 3 and the spacer unit 11 are removed from the basic form A shown in FIG. Only the most suitable module unit for continuous hole drilling work is used.

As described above, the electric discharge machines B,
According to C, D and E, it is possible to easily cope with a combination of independent units which are function module units from inexpensive single-function devices to high-grade multifunction devices according to use conditions. In addition, improvement and function change for each independent unit can be easily performed. Furthermore, the effects such as cost reduction and lead time reduction can be obtained by commonization and standardization of independent units. As a result, it is possible to provide a lean and inexpensive mechanical device in which functions required by the user are integrated.

[0033]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, since each component is an independent unit which can be separated, these independent units can be used without having to stock many kinds of dedicated machines. By combining the units according to the machining purpose, an electric discharge machine suitable for various uses can be easily configured. As a result, it is possible to provide a lean and inexpensive mechanical device in which functions required by the user are integrated.

Further, even if it is attempted to optimize the processing conditions by changing the processing liquid used at the time of forming the electrode and at the time of processing the work, it can be dealt with by replacing the processing tank.

Therefore, it is not necessary to change the working fluid, and it is possible to prevent a decrease in the operating rate of the machine. Further, in this case, maintenance work such as cleaning of the processing tank is not required, and maintenance is simplified.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing an overall configuration of an electric discharge machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the electric discharge machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a front view showing a schematic configuration of the electric discharge machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a front view showing a schematic configuration of the electric discharge machine according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a front view showing a schematic configuration of an electric discharge machine according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a front view illustrating a schematic configuration of an electric discharge machine according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a front view illustrating a schematic configuration of an electric discharge machine according to a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 8 is an external perspective view showing an overall configuration of an example of a conventional electric discharge machine.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory view showing operations of the electric discharge machine at the time of forming an electrode and at the time of processing a work.

[Explanation of symbols]

 A to E EDM 1 Machining tank unit 2 X-axis table unit 3 Electrode forming unit 4 Y-axis table unit 5 Machining unit

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continuing from the front page (72) Inventor Hirofumi Yasumoto 1006 Kazuma Kadoma, Osaka Prefecture Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.

Claims (2)

[Claims] A machining tank for containing a machining fluid for electric discharge machining,
An electrode forming device for feeding an electrode forming wire into a processing tank during electrode forming, an X-axis table and a Y-axis table for positioning the processing tank and the electrode forming device at predetermined positions in the left, right, front and rear directions. In the electric discharge machine, which consists of a machining device that performs electrode forming by electric discharge machining using the electrode forming wire fed into the tank and performs electric discharge machining of the work fixed in the machining tank using the electrodes during work processing , Each component is an independent unit that can be separated from each other,
An electric discharge machine characterized in that these independent units can be combined according to a machining purpose. 2. The electric discharge machine according to claim 1, wherein said machining tank is further divided into a first machining tank in which a machining fluid used for forming an electrode is filled and a second machining tank in which a machining fluid used in electric discharge machining of a workpiece is filled. Processing machine.