Rifling cathode, method, and device

Abstract

The invention relates to a rifling cathode (18) for producing a profile on an inner wall of a projectile-guiding tube by means of electrochemical machining, having a cathode body (20) which comprises an electrically conductive material, having at least one exposed machining surface (22) which is formed from the electrically conductive material and, during a machining operation, causes material to be removed from a tube to be machined, wherein at least one exchangeable guide element (26) is fastened in a non-destructively releasable manner to the cathode body (20), which guide element guides the rifling cathode (18) along the inner wall of the tube during the movement of the rifling cathode (18) through the projectile-guiding tube, wherein a circumferential surface (28) of the guide element (26) projects beyond the machining surface (22) in the radial direction. The invention also relates to a method and to a device (10) for producing a profile on an inner wall of a projectile-guiding tube by means of electrochemical machining.

Description

[0001] Rifling cathode, method and apparatus

[0002] The invention relates to a rifling cathode for producing a profile on the inner wall of a projectile-carrying tube by electrochemical ablation, and to a method for producing a profile on the inner wall of a projectile-carrying tube by electrochemical ablation. A projectile-carrying tube typically serves as the barrel of a handgun or other artillery piece. Furthermore, the invention relates to a device for producing a profile on the inner wall of a projectile-carrying tube by electrochemical ablation.

[0003] To create a profile on the inner wall of a projectile-carrying tube, material is removed from the inner wall of the projectile-carrying tube by means of electrochemical ablation, such that grooves are formed in the bore.

[0004] A profile on the inner wall of a projectile-carrying tube serves to stabilize the projectile's trajectory. Such profiles are also referred to as "grooves." The grooves are typically helical, so that a projectile acquires a spin around its longitudinal axis as it moves through the tube.

[0005] In the known manufacturing process, a rifling cathode is moved through the tube and the tube itself acts as the anode.

[0006] A disadvantage of the known manufacturing process is that the rifling cathode is subject to high friction as it moves through the tube. To increase the lifespan of the rifling cathode, it is usually coated. However, this coating also wears off over time, necessitating regular replacement of the rifling cathode. Since projectile-carrying tubes can be up to one meter or more in length, considerable abrasion can occur, requiring correspondingly frequent replacement of the rifling cathode.

[0007] It is therefore an object of the present invention to increase the lifetime of a Rifling cathode.

[0008] This problem is solved according to the invention by a rifling cathode for producing a profile on the inner wall of a projectile-carrying tube by means of electrochemical ablation, comprising a cathode body that includes an electrically conductive material and has at least one exposed machining surface formed from the electrically conductive material, which causes material removal from the tube during a machining operation. At least one replaceable guide element is detachably and non-destructively attached to the cathode body, which guides the rifling cathode along the inner wall of the tube during its movement through the projectile-carrying tube, with a circumferential surface of the guide element projecting radially beyond the machining surface.

[0009] Consequently, there is no direct contact between the cathode body and the inner wall of the projectile-carrying tube, as the guide element keeps the cathode body at a distance from the tube's inner wall. Therefore, there is no wear on the cathode body due to friction, but only on the at least one guide element. This significantly extends the service life of the cathode body. Most of the wear occurs on the at least one guide element. However, this element can be easily replaced if necessary due to its detachable attachment to the cathode body.

[0010] The at least one guide element is, in particular, a cost-effectively manufactured replacement part.

[0011] For example, the circumferential surface of the at least one guide element projects up to 200 pm, in particular up to 100 pm, and preferably up to 50 pm, beyond the cathode body. This reliably prevents abrasion of the cathode body, while simultaneously ensuring that the distance between the cathode body and the inner wall of the tube is so small that the electrochemical erosion process is not impaired. To achieve stable support of the rifling cathode within the tube, two guide elements are preferably provided, attached to opposite axial ends of the cathode body. More precisely, the use of two guide elements ensures a uniform distance between the rifling cathode and the inner wall of the tube.

[0012] The at least one guide element can be fitted onto the cathode body by means of a press fit, thereby simultaneously achieving the fastening and centering of the guide element on the cathode body.

[0013] Alternatively, the guide element could be attached to the cathode body using screws. However, this is particularly challenging from a manufacturing perspective, especially with small diameters. Bonding the guide element to the cathode body is also possible, but in this case, replacing the guide element is more complex, as it requires not only removing the adhesive (e.g., by applying heat) but also cleaning the cathode body of any remaining adhesive before a new guide element can be attached.

[0014] According to one embodiment, the at least one guide element has circumferentially spaced guide surfaces. These guide surfaces are the areas with which the guide element rests against the inner wall of the tube. The fact that the guide surfaces are spaced apart from one another means that there are recessed areas between them. This creates more favorable flow conditions within the tube when the rifling cathode is moved, allowing the guide element to move particularly smoothly. In other words, the flow resistance within the tube is reduced during the axial movement of the rifling cathode.

[0015] The at least one guide element has, for example, an insertion ramp at one axial end, particularly at the end facing away from the cathode body. This simplifies the insertion of the rifling cathode into the projectile-guiding tube.

[0016] According to one embodiment, the at least one guide element is multi-part and has a base body and at least two, in particular at least three, circumferentially spaced guide bodies mounted in the base body, which project radially beyond the circumferential surface of the base body. In particular, the guide bodies project beyond the circumferential surface of the base body by up to 200 pm, preferably by up to 50 pm. The guide bodies are, for example, rolling guide balls or guide rollers, i.e., rolling elements, or sliding guide elements, such as guide cylinders.

[0017] The guide elements roll or slide along the inner wall of the pipe, reducing friction between the pipe and the guide element and thus extending the service life of at least one guide element itself. This allows for further cost reductions.

[0018] The guide elements are made of a ceramic material, for example. To further reduce friction between the guide balls or sliding guide elements and the inner wall of the pipe, they can be coated with a friction-reducing coating.

[0019] For example, the base body is in two parts, with the two parts being detachably attached to each other, and with at least two receptacles provided along the division of the base body, each for one of the at least two guide bodies. This makes it possible to replace only the guide bodies instead of the entire guide element, thus making the repair of the Rifling cathode even more cost-effective.

[0020] The sliding guide elements are oriented such that their longitudinal axis runs transversely to the longitudinal axis of the rifling cathode. This means that the sliding guide elements rest with one end face against the inner wall of the tube and slide along it. The at least one machining surface is preferably helical relative to a longitudinal axis of the rifling cathode, with an inclination between 0.005 and 0.002. This means that with a cathode feed rate of between 200 mm and 500 mm, one complete rotation of the cathode takes place. This is also referred to as a "twist." By helically shaping the machining surface, the profile is produced in a helical form. Due to the corresponding profile shape, a projectile acquires a spin around its longitudinal axis as it moves through the tube, as already mentioned in the introduction.

[0021] The guide bodies, for example, lie on an extension of at least one machining surface. This means that when the rifling cathode is advanced inside the tube, the guide bodies traverse the same areas of the inner wall as the machining surface. Thus, material is removed from the areas of the tube's inner wall that were in contact with the guide bodies. The advantage of this is that if the inner wall has been damaged by contact with the guide bodies, for example, scratched, the damaged areas are removed.

[0022] The cathode body is, for example, made of an electrically conductive material, and an electrically insulating coating is preferably applied to at least one processing surface on the cathode body. Electrochemical erosion occurs only between the processing surface and the tube. The shape of the processing surface can be easily and flexibly defined by applying the coating accordingly.

[0023] Unlike the at least one guide element, the coating is not applied to the cathode body in a way that allows it to be removed without damage.

[0024] In an alternative embodiment, the cathode body can be an insulator with metal inserts.

[0025] The at least one guide element can overlap the coating on the cathode body in the axial direction. The coating is applied continuously around the entire circumference of the overlap area. This overlap creates an electrical seal. This means that the cathode body cannot emit electrical radiation at the interface with the guide element, thus preventing undesirable side effects that could result in faulty processing of the tube. In other words, process accuracy is improved. An axial stop for the at least one guide element can be provided on the cathode body, allowing for particularly easy positioning of the guide element in the axial direction.

[0026] Preferably, the at least one guide element is machined, resulting in high dimensional accuracy. Consequently, post-processing of the guide element, as would be necessary with an injection-molded guide element, is not required.

[0027] The at least one guide element consists, for example, of polyetheretherketone or Ultern. Both materials have high strength and good machinability. In particular, the machinability of polyetheretherketone is close to that of aluminum.

[0028] To further increase the strength of the guide element, glass fibers can be incorporated into the material.

[0029] The problem is further solved according to the invention by a method for producing a profile on the inner wall of a projectile-carrying tube by means of electrochemical ablation. The method comprises, in a first step, the provision of a tube. Subsequently, a rifling cathode according to the invention is inserted into the tube, the rifling cathode being designed such that the at least one guide element rests against the inner wall of the tube. In a further step, a voltage is applied between the rifling cathode and the tube, which acts as the anode when the voltage is applied. The rifling cathode is then moved along the tube and simultaneously rotated, whereby the electrochemical ablation of material along the inner wall of the tube takes place, such that the desired profile is formed.

[0030] As already explained in connection with the rifling cathode, the cathode body of the rifling cathode is held at a distance from the inner wall of the tube by the at least one guide element as it moves through the tube. This extends the service life of the rifling cathode and consequently reduces the manufacturing costs of the projectile-carrying tube. After completion of the electrochemical processing, the rifling cathode can be moved out of the tube and into a cleaning device, in particular, the movement of the rifling cathode out of the tube and into the cleaning device being a linear movement. In the cleaning device, deposits that formed on the at least one processing surface during the electrochemical processing are removed.

[0031] Such deposits can lead to a short circuit.

[0032] By removing the deposits from the machining surface, it is ensured that the electrochemical removal in subsequent machining takes place reliably and that the profiling can be produced with sufficient dimensional accuracy.

[0033] According to one embodiment, the deposits are removed mechanically, in particular by brushing. This represents a particularly simple and cost-effective method for removing deposits.

[0034] Alternatively, it is conceivable to remove the deposits using high-pressure nozzles.

[0035] Alternatively or additionally, the deposits can be removed chemically, particularly using an acidic medium, for example, by an acid rinse. Nitric acid is a suitable acidic medium, for instance.

[0036] According to one approach, mechanical and chemical cleaning can be combined, in that the deposits are removed by brushing in an acidic medium. This allows for particularly effective cleaning.

[0037] The cleaning device can be positioned immediately following the profile to be processed, so that the rifling cathode is moved directly from the profile to be processed into the cleaning device.

[0038] The cleaning device is not limited to use for cleaning the rifling cathode according to the invention, but is fundamentally suitable for cleaning any type of rifling cathode and is an innovation in its own right.

[0039] The problem is further solved according to the invention by a device for producing a profile on an inner wall of a projectile-carrying tube by means of electrochemical ablation, with a holder for a projectile-carrying tube, a rifling cathode according to the invention which can be moved through the tube to be processed, and with a cleaning device, wherein the rifling cathode is driven in such a way that it can be moved into the cleaning device.

[0040] The use of a rifling cathode according to the invention in a device that also includes a cleaning device has the particular advantage that both abrasion of the rifling cathode and deposits on the processing surfaces of the rifling cathode are avoided. This allows for a particularly long service life of the rifling cathode.

[0041] Further advantages and features of the invention will become apparent from the following description and from the accompanying drawings, to which reference is made. The drawings show:

[0042] Figure 1 shows a device for machining a projectile-carrying tube,

[0043] Figure 2 shows the device from Figure 1 in an extended state,

[0044] Figure 3 shows a Rifling cathode according to the invention, which can be used in the device according to Figure 1,

[0045] Figure 4 shows the Rifling cathode from Figure 3 in an exploded view.

[0046] Figure 5 shows the Rifling cathode from Figure 3 in a sectional view.

[0047] Figure 6 shows a Rifling cathode according to a further embodiment of the invention,

[0048] Figure 7 shows the Rifling cathode from Figure 6 in an exploded view.

[0049] Figure 8 shows the Rifling cathode from Figure 6 in a sectional view.

[0050] Figure 9 shows an exploded view of a rifling cathode according to a further embodiment of the invention, Figure 10 shows a side view of the rifling cathode from Figure 9,

[0051] Figure 11 shows the Rifling cathode from Figures 9 and 10 in a frontal view, and

[0052] Figure 12 shows a cleaning device for cleaning the, or more generally, a rifling cathode.

[0053] Figures 1 and 2 show a device 10 for producing a profile on an inner wall of a projectile-carrying tube by means of electrochemical ablation.

[0054] In the exemplary embodiment, the device 10 has a holder 12 with several receiving positions 14 for pipes, for example three receiving positions 14.

[0055] In order to accommodate pipes of different lengths, the device 10 has a height-adjustable section 16. For example, pipes with a length of up to 0.8 meters or more can be accommodated in the device 10.

[0056] Since such devices are generally known, the exact design of device 10 will not be discussed further below.

[0057] To create a profile on the inner wall of a pipe, a pipe is first provided and clamped into the device 10.

[0058] The tube is then filled with an electrolyte solution.

[0059] A Rifling cathode 18 (see Figure 3) is then inserted into the tube from above.

[0060] A voltage is applied between the Rifling cathode 18 and the tube, which acts as the anode when the voltage is applied.

[0061] While the voltage is applied, the rifling cathode 18 is moved axially along the tube and simultaneously rotated. The cathode 18 is thus guided along the inner wall of the tube. During this process, electrochemical material removal takes place along the inner wall of the tube, such that the desired profiling is formed. A first embodiment of the rifling cathode 18 used here is shown in Figures 3 to 5.

[0062] The Rifling cathode 18 comprises a cathode body 20, which in the exemplary embodiment is made of an electrically conductive material.

[0063] The cathode body 20 has several machining surfaces 22 spaced apart from one another in the circumferential direction of the cathode body 20. These surfaces cause material removal from a pipe being machined during a machining operation. In Figure 3, the machining surfaces 22 are shown with a pattern for illustrative purposes. In reality, however, the machining surfaces 22 are smooth surfaces. Circumferentially, between adjacent machining surfaces 22, there is a region with a minimal radial depression compared to the machining surfaces 22.

[0064] The machining surfaces 22 are uniformly helical relative to a longitudinal axis of the rifling cathode 18, with an inclination between 0.005 and 0.002. The inclination determines the so-called twist of the rifling cathode 18. For example, with an inclination in the aforementioned range, the rifling cathode 18 is rotated completely around its axis once for every 200 mm to 500 mm of pipe length as it moves through the tube.

[0065] In the exemplary embodiment, the machining surfaces 22 are delimited from one another by means of a coating 24 (see also Figure 5) which is applied to the cathode body 20. Consequently, the machining surfaces 22 are each formed by an exposed surface of the cathode body 20.

[0066] The coating 24 is made of an electrically insulating material.

[0067] A guide element 26 is arranged at each axial end of the cathode body 20. The guide elements 26 guide the rifling cathode 18 along the inner wall of the tube as it moves through the tube.

[0068] For this purpose, a circumferential surface 28 of each guide element 26 projects radially beyond the machining surfaces 22. This is not clearly visible in the figures, however, as the projection of the circumferential surface 28 beyond the machining surfaces 22 is only up to 200 pm. The guide elements 26 are optionally machined, for example from polyetheretherketone or from llitem.

[0069] The guide elements 26 are interchangeably attached to the cathode body 20. This means that the guide elements 26 can be detached from the cathode body 20, in particular without damage. Therefore, the guide elements 26 do not need to be machined.

[0070] In the exemplary embodiment, this is achieved by an interference fit, as can be seen from Figures 4 and 5, which show the Rifling cathode 18 in an exploded view and a sectional view.

[0071] As can be seen in Figures 4 and 5, the cathode body 20 has a processing section 30 in which the processing surfaces 22 are located.

[0072] At the axial ends of the machining section 30, the cathode body 20 has a cylindrical section 32.

[0073] The cylindrical section 32 serves as a seat for one of the two guide elements 26.

[0074] In addition, an axial stop 34 is provided on the cathode body 20 for each guide element 26, e.g. a step.

[0075] In the exemplary embodiment, the axial stop 34 is realized by a corresponding shape of the coating 24, as can be seen in Figure 5.

[0076] Each cylindrical section 32 is connected to a shaft-shaped section 36.

[0077] The shaft-shaped sections 36 can be formed integrally with the cathode body 20, as is the case in the illustrated embodiment (see Figure 5). However, it is also conceivable that a separately manufactured, continuous shaft-shaped section 36 is present and the cathode body 20 is pressed onto the shaft-shaped section 36.

[0078] At one end, the shaft-shaped section 36 is completely covered by one of the two guide elements 26. The corresponding guide element 26 is cap-shaped. At the opposite end, the shaft-shaped section 36 projects beyond the guide element 26. In this case, the guide element 26 is sleeve-shaped.

[0079] The exposed part of the shaft-shaped section 36 serves to couple with a drive unit, which moves the rifling cathode 18 through the tube. For this purpose, a thread 38 is provided at the end of the shaft-shaped section 36.

[0080] Regardless of whether the guide element 26 is cap-shaped or sleeve-shaped, it has circumferentially spaced guide surfaces 40. The guide surfaces 40 project from a base body 41 of the guide element 26. This creates fin-like structures on the guide elements 26, which reduce flow resistance when the rifling cathode 18 moves through the tube.

[0081] In the exemplary embodiment, the circumferential surface 28 of the guide elements 26, which extends beyond the machining surfaces 22, corresponds to the guide surfaces 40.

[0082] To facilitate the insertion of the rifling cathode 18, an insertion ramp 42 is provided at one axial end of the guide elements 26.

[0083] The coating 24 extends on the cathode body 20 to the end of the cylindrical section 34, as can be seen in the sectional view in Figure 5.

[0084] The guide elements 26 therefore overlap with the coating 24. This ensures an electrical and fluidic seal at the interface between the guide elements 26 and the machining section 30. In other words, it prevents the rifling cathode 18 from emitting electrical radiation at the interface between the guide elements 26 and the machining section 30, which could lead to undesirable side effects during the machining of the tube. Figures 6 to 8 illustrate another rifling cathode 18. This rifling cathode 18 differs from the rifling cathode 18 illustrated in Figures 3 to 5 in the design of one of the two guide elements 26.

[0085] Specifically, in the embodiment illustrated in Figures 6 to 8, one of the two guide elements 26, in particular the cap-shaped guide element 26, has a base body 44 in which several, in the exemplary embodiment four, guide bodies 46 are mounted, which are designed as rolling elements, e.g. rollers or guide balls.

[0086] However, it is also conceivable that the sleeve-shaped guide element 26 or both guide elements 26 have corresponding guide bodies 46.

[0087] In order to accommodate the guide elements 46 in the base body 44, the base body 44 is made in two parts (see Figure 7), with the two parts of the base body 44 being detachably attached to one another. For example, the two parts of the base body 44 are screwed or pressed together.

[0088] Along the division of the base body 44, a receptacle 48 is provided for each guide body 46, in which the guide body 46 is inserted.

[0089] In the case of the guide element 26 containing the guide body 46, the circumferential surface 28 is provided on the guide bodies 46, meaning that the base body 44 of the guide element 26 does not directly contact the inner wall of the tube. Instead, the guide bodies 46 rest against the inner wall and slide along it. In the case of spherical guide bodies 46, the guide bodies 46 roll along the inner wall. This results in particularly low friction between the guide element 26 and the tube.

[0090] Another advantage is that the guide bodies 46 can be replaced if necessary, while the base body 44 can continue to be used. This makes this solution particularly sustainable.

[0091] The guide bodies 46 can be made of a ceramic material and are therefore particularly wear-resistant.

[0092] Figure 6 illustrates, with a dashed line, that the guide bodies 46 each lie on an extension of the elongated machining surfaces 22, in the direction of their longitudinal axis. This means that, during a feed of the rifling cathode 18, the guide bodies 46 contact those areas of the inner wall where material is subsequently removed by the machining surface 22.

[0093] Figures 9 to 11 show another form of a Rifling cathode 18.

[0094] The Rifling cathode 18 according to figures 9 to 11 is similar to the Rifling cathode according to figures 6 to 8, however, the guide bodies 46 are not designed as guide balls, but as sliding guide elements, here e.g. as guide cylinders.

[0095] The guide cylinders are aligned such that a longitudinal axis of the sliding guide elements runs transversely, or more precisely perpendicularly, to a longitudinal axis of the Rifling cathode 18. The end faces of the sliding guide elements thus constitute the contact surface with the inner wall of the tube.

[0096] In the embodiment according to Figures 9 to 11, both guide elements 26 are provided with guide bodies 46.

[0097] Another significant difference from the embodiment shown in Figures 6 to 8 is that, in the case of sliding guide elements, such as guide cylinders, the base bodies 44 do not need to be made of two parts, but can be made of one part. The cylindrical guide bodies 46 can be inserted into the receptacles 48 from the outside.

[0098] For example, in this case the guide bodies 46 are pressed or glued into the receptacles 48 to prevent them from being lost. Pressing the guide bodies 46 in place is preferred, however, as this allows them to be replaced when worn.

[0099] As can be seen from Figure 10, in this embodiment the guide bodies 46 are also each located on an extension of the machining surfaces 22.

[0100] Figure 12 shows a cleaning device 50 for the Rifling cathode 18. The cleaning device 50 is part of the device 10. The cleaning device 50 is arranged, for example, below a receiving position 14 in the device 10.

[0101] Thus, after completion of the electrochemical processing process, the rifling cathode 18 can be moved out of the tube and into a cleaning device 50, in particular in a straight-line movement.

[0102] In the illustrated embodiment, the cleaning device 50 has brushes 52 arranged around a receiving area 54.

[0103] By moving the rifling cathode 18 up and down and / or rotating it in the cleaning device 50, deposits that have formed on the machining surface during the electrochemical machining process are mechanically removed from the rifling cathode.

[0104] Additionally, an acidic medium such as nitric acid can be added to the cleaning device 50 to remove deposits chemically.

Claims

Patent claims 1. Rifling cathode (18) for producing a profile on an inner wall of a projectile-carrying tube by means of electrochemical ablation, comprising a cathode body (20) comprising an electrically conductive material, with at least one exposed machining surface (22) formed from the electrically conductive material, which causes material ablation on a tube to be machined during a machining operation, wherein at least one replaceable guide element (26) is detachably attached to the cathode body (20) in a non-destructive manner, which guides the rifling cathode (18) along the inner wall of the tube when the rifling cathode (18) moves through the projectile-carrying tube, wherein a circumferential surface (28) of the guide element (26) projects radially beyond the machining surface (22).

2. Rifling cathode (18) according to claim 1, characterized in that two guide elements (26) are provided which are attached to opposite axial ends of the cathode body (20).

3. Rifling cathode (18) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the at least one guide element (26) is fitted onto the cathode body (20) by means of a press fit.

4. Rifling cathode (18) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one guide element (26) has circumferentially spaced guide surfaces (40).

5. Rifling cathode (18) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one guide element (26) has an insertion ramp (42) at an axial end.

6. Rifling cathode (18) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one guide element (26) is multi-part and has a base body (44) and at least two, in particular at least three circumferentially spaced guide bodies (46) in the form of rolling elements or sliding elements mounted in the base body (44), which project radially beyond the circumferential surface (28) of the base body (44).

7. Rifling cathode (18) according to claim 6, characterized in that the base body (44) is in two parts, wherein the two parts of the base body (44) are detachably attached to one another, and wherein at least two receptacles (48) are provided along the division of the base body (44) for each of the at least two guide bodies (46).

8. Rifling cathode (18) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one processing surface (22) is helical relative to a longitudinal axis of the rifling cathode (18), wherein the inclination is between 0.005 and 0.

002.

9. Rifling cathode (18) according to claim 8 and additionally according to one of claims 6 and 7, characterized in that the guide bodies (46) lie on an extension of the at least one processing surface (22).

10. Rifling cathode (18) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cathode body (20) is formed from an electrically conductive material and an electrically insulating coating (24) is applied outside the at least one processing surface (22) on the cathode body (20).

11. Rifling cathode (18) according to claim 10, characterized in that the at least one guide element (26) overlaps in the axial direction with the coating (24) present on the cathode body (20).

12. Rifling cathode (18) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an axial stop for the at least one guide element (26) is provided on the cathode body (20).

13. Rifling cathode (18) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one guide element (26) is manufactured by machining.

14. Rifling cathode (18) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one guide element (26) consists of a polyetheretherketone or of Ultern.

15. Method for producing a profile on an inner wall of a projectile-carrying tube by electrochemical ablation, comprising the following steps: Providing a pipe, Inserting a rifling cathode (18) according to one of the preceding claims into the tube, wherein the rifling cathode (18) is designed such that the at least one guide element (26) rests against the inner wall of the tube, - Applying a voltage between the Rifling cathode (18) and the tube, which acts as the anode when the voltage is applied, Moving the rifling cathode (18) along the tube and simultaneously rotating the rifling cathode (18) and thereby electrochemically removing material along the inner wall of the tube, such that the desired profiling is formed.

16. Method according to claim 15, characterized in that the rifling cathode (18) is moved out of the tube and into a cleaning device (50) after completion of the electrochemical processing process, in particular wherein the movement of the rifling cathode (18) out of the tube and into the cleaning device (50) is a linear movement, wherein deposits are removed from the at least one processing surface (22) in the cleaning device (50) which have formed on the processing surface (22) during the electrochemical processing process.

17. Method according to claim 16, characterized in that the deposits are removed mechanically, in particular by brushing.

18. Method according to claim 16 or 17, characterized in that the deposits are chemically removed, in particular by means of an acidic medium.

19. Device (10) for producing a profile on an inner wall of a projectile-carrying tube by means of electrochemical ablation, with a holder (12) for a projectile-carrying tube, a rifling cathode (18) according to one of claims 1 to 14, which can be moved through the pipe to be processed, and with a cleaning device (50), wherein the rifling cathode (18) is driven in such a way that it can be moved into the cleaning device (50).

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