Importance

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Abstract

An improved method and apparatus for automatically resetting a wire electrode in an operating setup on an electroerosion (e.g. EDM) machine is disclosed. Upon termination of a given machining operation commenced with a starting hole in the workpiece, the wire electrode spanning in a continuous stretch between a supply side and a collection side is broken in a region adjacent to the workpiece and at one of the opposite sides thereof by forming the wire electrode in the region with at least two coplanar grooves substantially symmetrical about the axis thereof and then applying tension to the wire electrode to break the latter in the region. The broken wire electrode is threaded its broken end into and through a new starting hole preformed in a workpiece for machining a contour therein in a subsequent machining operation to reestablish the continuous stretch of the wire electrode between the supply and collection sides. An air jet may be applied at least in the region of the wire electrode to be heated, grooved and broken to blow off residue of the machining liquid which may remain adherent on the wire electrode to allow the latter to be uniformly heated without any localized thermal stress. This also allows the wire electrode which is broken to form a straight broken end.

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First Claim