Apparatus and method for hybrid machining a contoured, thin-walled workpiece
US7976694B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 17, 2007 |
| Grant date | Jul 12, 2011 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 10, 2030 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T409/30868
- WIPO fieldMachine tools
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An apparatus and method for hybrid machining a workpiece is disclosed. The workpiece is powered as an anode, a cutter is powered as a cathode and a cutting fluid or coolant is circulated therebetween. The cutter is made of a conductive material and a non-conductive abrasive material. The hybrid machine performs a roughing pass machining operation in which material is removed from the workpiece at a relatively high rate using a high-speed electro-erosion (HSEE) process. Then, the hybrid machine performs a finish pass machining operation in which material is removed from the workpiece using precision electro-grinding (PEG) process at a different differential electrical potential and/or flushing rate than the roughing pass machining operation to provide a smooth finish without thermal effects on the workpiece.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.