The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Oct. 18, 1988
Filed:
Sep. 22, 1987
Joseph Josserand, Cruseilles, FR;
Charmilles Technologies S.A., Geneva, CH;
Abstract
A method and apparatus for automatically rethreading the electrode wire of a traveling wire EDM apparatus through a pair of close tolerance wire support and guide members, one disposed on one side of a workpiece and the other on the other side of the workpiece, and for threading the end of the wire through a starting aperture in the workpiece. Prior to threading or rethreading the wire, the wire is heated in a heating zone while a pull is exerted on the wire such as to elongate the heated portion of the wire to reduce its diameter. After cutting off the wire at the beginning of its reduced diameter portion, the reduced diameter portion of the wire is threaded through the wire guide members and the aperture in the workpiece. The threading of the wire is effected by a feed mechanism disposed upstream of the first wire guide member which preferably is the same mechanism as the brake mechanism effecting a pull on the wire during normal operation of the EDM apparatus.