Importance

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Abstract

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.

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First Claim