Lehr Precision, Inc.

Cincinnati Incorporated

Richard F Fussner

John S Reynolds

Norbert A Bruns

Edward C Bruns

Carl W Koors

John J Littley

Frank Lengel

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

An arbor slitter for use in a slitting line, the arbor slitter having at least two pairs of cooperating, blade-carrying arbors. The inboard ends of the arbors of each arbor pair are supported by an inboard bearing housing. The inboard bearing housings of the arbor pairs are mounted on a common base having caster means resting upon a smooth upper surface of a portion of the slitter frame. The base by virtue of its caster means is both shiftable and positionable along this upper surface of the slitter frame so that each arbor pair can be shifted between a working position and a set-up position. The slitter frame has an outboard bearing housing movable thereon into and out of engagement with the outboard ends of the arbors of each arbor pair when in the working position.

Slitter having arbor pairs mounted on a caster supported base shiftable

Growing community of inventors

Brookville, IN, United States of America

Richard F Fussner