Lehr Precision, Inc.

General Electric Company

Cincinnati Milacron Inc.

John S Reynolds

Norbert A Bruns

Richard F Fussner

Terry Lievestro

Raymond L Hallbach

Edward C Bruns

Tom Chamberlain

Kenneth R Hutton

Willard Hansen

Norbert A Burns

An ECM apparatus includes a stationary cathode tool having a passage, and a drive mechanism for moving a bar-shaped workpiece through the passage of the cathode tool while simultaneously rotating the workpiece. Electrolyte flows, from a manifold on one end of the cathodic tool to a manifold at the other end, through the passage, between the wall of the passage and the workpiece. An electric current is simultaneously established in the electrolyte, between the wall of the passage and the workpiece. The internal shape of the cathodic tool wall has a gradual transition from a circular entry opening to a lobed exit opening, and lobes formed in the wall of the tool are shaped so that they twist in the direction of workpiece rotation, in order to form helical lobes in the workpiece.

ECM trepan of bars

Electrochemical machining is used to generate the helical lobe profiles of the stator of a progressive cavity pump or motor. A thin, elastomeric liner, of uniform thickness is bonded either to the interior of the stator, or to the exterior of the rotor. Where the elastomeric liner is to be bonded to the interior of the stator, bonding is improved by electrically etching the interior of the stator during the electrochemical machining process to produce a roughened surface.

Progressive cavity pump/motor stator, and apparatus and method to manufacture same by electrochemical machining

An apparatus for electrochemically machining a workpiece having first and second platforms and an airfoil extending transversely therebetween includes a first cathode trio having a center cathode disposed between first and second cathodes. The center cathode is configured for electrochemically machining a first side of the airfoil, and the first and second cathodes are configured for electrochemically machining at least the first and second platforms adjacent to the airfoil first side. The first and second cathodes are movable relative to the center cathode so that they move away from each other and toward the opposing platforms during machining. A second cathode trio is provided for electrochemically machining the airfoil second side. The apparatus is effective for practicing an improved method of electrochemically machining the workpiece by moving the first and second cathode trios toward the workpiece first and second side, and moving the first and second cathodes of each of the cathode trios toward the airfoil first and second sides and toward the first and second platforms relative to movement of the center cathodes thereof. The resulting product formed by the method requires little or no benching of the airfoil and platforms.

Multi-cathode ECM apparatus, method, and product therefrom

A machine for electrochemically machining (ECM) a workpiece having a stacking axis and first and second opposite sides includes a pair of cathode tools. The first and second tools have first and second longitudinal axes, respectively, disposed substantially perpendicularly to the workpiece stacking axis. The first and second tools also include the first and second transverse axes, respectively, disposed perpendicularly to the first and second longitudinal axes, respectively, and substantially parallel to the workpiece stacking axis. The machine is effective for practicing an improved method of moving the first and second tools along the first and second longitudinal axes and along the first and second transverse axes, respectively, toward the workpiece for the electrochemical machining thereof. By moving the respective cathode tools along both longitudinal and transverse axes, a selectively variable resultant feedrate direction is obtained which is inclined relative to the workpiece stacking axis.

Four-axis ECM machine and method of operation

In accordance with a preferred, exemplary embodiment of the invention, a method of forming a blisk from a workpiece is disclosed. The workpiece includes a blank having oppositely facing first and second faces defined by a radially inner housing, a radially outer top, a first edge, and a second edge. The method comprises the steps of:

Method and apparatus for electrochemically machining airfoil blades

In accordance with a preferred, exemplary embodiment of the invention, an apparatus for forming a blisk from a workpiece is disclosed. The workpiece includes a blank having oppositely facing first and second faces defined by a radially inner base, a radially outer top, a first edge, and a second edge. The apparatus includes first and second complementary electrodes positionable about the workpiece blank. Each electrode has a support portion and a working portion. Means for channeling electrolyte from an inlet to an outlet defined between the electrodes, and means for sealing the working portions to prevent leakage are disclosed. Electrolyte is channeled between the first and second edges to finally electrochemically machine an airfoil in a single operation from the blank.

Electrodes for electrochemically machining airfoil blades

A tool changing system for turning machines is disclosed wherein a tool magazine having a plurality of common-based tools carries the tools on a serpentine chain matrix. The tool holders are secured to the links of the chain. The tool storage magazine is removable from the tool changer base, and replaceable with a similar tool storage magazine. A tool interchange arm is carried on a dual slide assembly, wherein a first slide moves a pair of gripper fingers to positions between the tool holder block on the tool turret of the machine and the tool storage magazine. When changing ID tools, which are mounted to the face of a tool turret, a secondary slide is moved relative to the first slide, to provide additional onward stroke positioning, and a turn-around cylinder rotates the interchange arm housing and gripper fingers to bring the tools around to the face of the tool turret. The tool storage magazines may be received in a pallet system, which is a movable rack at the end of the machine, having a pair of tool holder brackets, which may be alternately positioned for receiving and inserting the tool storage magazine.

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Maineville, OH, United States of America

John S Reynolds