Wire supply device on a machine for spark erosion of workpieces

US5861598A · kind A · utility

Inventors

• Norbert Bailer · Biberach an der Riß, DE
• Peter Bailer · Schemmerhofen, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Jul 28, 1997
• Grant date: Jan 19, 1999
• Expiry date: Jul 28, 2017

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B23H7/10
• WIPO field: Machine tools
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

An electrode wire (20) is withdrawn from a pay-off spool (22), passed around guide rolls (24-30) to a machining span (32), and finally wound up on a take-up spool (40). The electrode wire (20) is guided in such a way that it always moves in the same plane at right angles to the axes, both when being wound up on the take-up spool (40) and when being unwound from the pay-off spool (22). Both spools (22, 40) are supported on a common carrier member (50) which is displaceable in axial direction of the spools (22, 40). A measuring device (70) is disposed between the pay-off spool (22) and the first guide roll (24) to detect deviations of the position of the electrode wire (20) from a predetermined position. The carrier member (50) is connected to a slide drive (60) which corrects any deviation detected of the position of the electrode wire (20) being unwound from the pay-off spool (22) by axially shifting the carrier member (50). Thus it also makes sure that the spent electrode wire (20) is wound up properly on the take-up spool (40).