Ex-cell-o Gmbh

Precision Devices Inc.

Frederick L Fitts

John M Check

Thomas D Walser

William L Clayton, Jr

Myron C Johnson

An improved link arm assembly which couples a surface finish measuring instrument housing to an associated probe which is moved across a workpiece surface to evaluate surface finish characteristics. The link arm assembly enables a probe mounting arm to be rotated from an inoperative, generally vertical position to a rotated generally horizontal operating position in which the probe is positioned in contact with a workpiece surface. In accordance with the present invention, a clutching arrangement is provided which enables the probe mounting arm to be rotated freely from the operating to the normal position but which imposes fluid damping in the opposite direction of rotation which limits the angular velocity of the probe mounting arm and the impact forces which are imposed on the probe when it is being moved into contact with the workpiece. Accordingly, damaging high impact between the probe and workpiece is avoided.

Surface measuring instrument link arm assembly

An electrical discharge machine including a pick-and-place system for transferring electrode refeed cartridges from a storage turret to an EDM work station from either one or two indexable turrets. A plurality of equally spaced electrode cartridge assemblies are each removably mounted on each turret by magnets and guide pins. A slide assembly is vertically positioned between a cartridge assembly load and unload elevation and an EDM work station elevation. The slide assembly includes a movable connector plug assembly selectively driven by an EDM cylinder fixed on the slide assembly. The connector plug assembly supplies refeed cylinders on a slide mounted cartridge assembly and vertically reciprocates a power connector receptacle and drive head on such cartridge assembly. The receptacle and drive head include an electrode guide board guiding one or more electrodes with respect to a workpiece. The slide-mounted, fixed EDM cylinder moves the drive head to position such electrodes toward and away from the workpieces to spark erode desired openings therein. The connector plug assembly and receptacle cooperate to disconnect and connect the respective electrode cartridge assemblies with respect to the drive unit and with respect to a source of air and electricity operative to sense when the respective electrodes become worn and to refeed electrodes to compensate for electrode wear.

Electrical discharge machining apparatus with exchangeable electrode

In a multiple axis electrical discharge machine having a pair of indexable turrets each of which carries a plurality of electrode cartridges each with a supply of electrodes, the improvement of individually releasable electrodes in each cartridge which are configured to be transferred to a tool holder to be precisely positioned therein; the machine further includes a programmable electrode tool holder carousel and opposed tool carriers for moving preselected combinations of tool holders and electrodes between an electrode transfer station and a tool changer for transferring the selected electrode to a servo driven spindle head.

System for positioning and transferring EDM electrodes

An electrical discharge machine including a base frame having secured thereon a workpiece holding fixture and an upright frame member, a support member slidably mounted on the upright frame member, either one or two turrets indexably mounted on the support member, and a plurality of equally spaced electrode cartridge assemblies removably mounted on each turret. Each cartridge assembly includes an electrode guide and one or more electrodes extending through the electrode guide to a position just above a workpiece. A suitable drive unit moves the support member and turret and, hence, the cartridge assembly and electrodes toward and away from the workpieces to spark erode desired openings therein. A coupling assembly serves to disconnect and connect the respective electrode cartridge assemblies with respect to the drive unit and with respect to a source of air and electricity when the respective electrodes becomes worn and require replacement or when several assemblies are required to perform different operations.

Growing community of inventors

Ann Arbor, MI, United States of America

Frederick L Fitts