Water removal mechanism

Abstract

A water removal mechanism (50) of one embodiment has a block (52) formed with a through-hole (52H) that penetrates in a direction intersecting a direction of gravity. A first guide portion (54) and a second guide portion (56) are provided in the through-hole (52H). The block (52) includes a gas flow path (66) that is connected to the through-hole (52H) between the first guide portion (54) and the second guide portion (56), and a discharge hole (72) that is connected to the through-hole (52H) between the first guide portion (54) and the second guide portion (56), extends in the direction of gravity, and is connected to the outside of the block (52).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a dehydration mechanism for removing liquid flowing inside a tube through which the wire electrode is inserted. Background Technology

[0002] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 05-092322 discloses a wire electrical discharge machining (EDM) machine having a guide tube and a dewatering section. The guide tube is a tube used to guide water and the wire electrode. The dewatering section is provided at the discharge end of the guide tube. A suction section connected to an external suction device is provided in the dewatering section. Water flowing inside the guide tube is drawn from the suction section of the dewatering section by the suction device. Summary of the Invention

[0003] However, there is a need for a dewatering mechanism that removes the liquid flowing inside the tube from the wire electrode without using a suction device.

[0004] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems.

[0005] The present invention provides a water removal mechanism that removes liquid flowing inside a tube from a wire electrode, the tube through which the wire electrode is inserted and guided for its delivery.

[0006] The water removal mechanism has the following features:

[0007] A block having a through hole extending in a direction intersecting the direction of gravity, with the discharge end of the pipe disposed at one end of the through hole;

[0008] A first guide portion, disposed between the discharge end of the tube and the other end of the through hole, forms a guide hole for guiding the wire electrode from one end of the through hole to the other end of the through hole; and

[0009] A second guide portion, spaced apart from the first guide portion, is disposed at the other end of the through hole, forming the guide hole.

[0010] The block contains:

[0011] A gas flow path, which connects to the through hole between the first guide portion and the second guide portion, guides externally supplied compressed gas to the through hole; and

[0012] The discharge hole, which is connected to the through hole between the first guide portion and the second guide portion, extends along the direction of gravity and is connected to the outside of the block.

[0013] According to the present invention, processing fluid can be removed from the wire electrode without using a suction device. Specifically, in the embodiment of the present invention, the processing fluid flowing from the first guide portion is discharged through the discharge hole due to its own weight. Furthermore, the processing fluid adhering to the wire electrode is blown away by compressed gas guided to the through hole between the first and second guide portions. Thus, processing fluid can be removed from the wire electrode without using a suction device. Attached Figure Description

[0014] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram showing the structure of the wire electrical discharge machining machine according to the embodiment.

[0015] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of the water removal mechanism in the embodiment.

[0016] Figure 3 This diagram shows the implementation method of a water removal mechanism by focusing on the internal structure of the water removal mechanism.

[0017] Figure 4 This is a diagram showing the flow of the processing fluid in the dehydration mechanism.

[0018] Figure 5 This is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of the water removal mechanism in Modified Example 1. Detailed Implementation

[0019] [Implementation Method]

[0020] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram showing the structure of the wire electrical discharge machining (EDM) machine 10 according to an embodiment. Figure 1 The diagram shows the X, Y, and Z directions extending from the axis of the wire electrical discharge machine 10. Furthermore, the X and Y directions are orthogonal to each other in the plane, and the Z direction is orthogonal to both the X and Y directions. Additionally, the -Z direction is the direction of gravity (gravity direction).

[0021] The wire electrical discharge machining (EDM) machine 10 processes the workpiece by applying a voltage between the workpiece immersed in a liquid and the wire electrode 12, thereby generating a discharge between the electrodes. The wire EDM machine 10 includes: a machining machine body 14, a machining fluid treatment device 16, and a control device 18 that controls the machining machine body 14 and the machining fluid treatment device 16.

[0022] The material of the wire electrode 12 is, for example, a tungsten-based, copper-alloy-based, or brass-based metal. On the other hand, the material of the workpiece being processed is, for example, an iron-based or superhard metal.

[0023] The main body of the processing machine 14 has a supply system 20 for supplying wire electrodes 12 to the workpiece and a recovery system 22 for recovering wire electrodes 12 that have passed through the workpiece.

[0024] The supply system 20 includes: a spool 24, a torque motor 26, a brake shoe 28, a brake motor 30, a tension detection unit 32, and an upper die guide 34. Unused wire electrodes 12 are wound around the spool 24. The torque motor 26 applies torque to the spool 24. The brake shoe 28 applies friction-based braking force to the wire electrodes 12. The brake motor 30 applies braking torque to the brake shoe 28. The tension detection unit 32 detects the tension of the wire electrodes 12. The upper die guide 34 is a component that guides the wire electrodes 12 and is positioned above the workpiece.

[0025] The recovery system 22 includes: a lower die guide 36, a clamping roller 38 and a feed roller 40, a torque motor 42, and a recovery box 44. The lower die guide 36 is a component that guides the wire electrode 12 and is positioned below the workpiece. The clamping roller 38 and the feed roller 40 clamp the wire electrode 12. The torque motor 42 imparts torque to the feed roller 40. The recovery box 44 recovers the wire electrode 12 conveyed by the clamping roller 38 and the feed roller 40.

[0026] The upper mold guide 34 has a support portion 34a for supporting the wire electrode 12, and the lower mold guide 36 has a support portion 36a for supporting the wire electrode 12. In addition, the lower mold guide 36 has a guide roller 36b that changes the orientation of the wire electrode 12 and guides it toward the clamping roller 38 and the feed roller 40.

[0027] Furthermore, the upper mold guide 34 sprays clean machining fluid free of sludge (machining chips) into the space between the wire electrode 12 and the workpiece. This allows the space between the electrodes to be filled with a clean liquid suitable for machining, preventing a decrease in machining accuracy due to sludge generated during machining. The lower mold guide 36, like the upper mold guide 34, can also spray clean machining fluid free of sludge (machining chips) into the space between the wire electrode 12 and the workpiece.

[0028] The main body 14 of the processing machine has a processing tank 46 for storing processing fluid. The processing fluid is the liquid used during processing. Examples of processing fluids include deionized water. The processing tank 46 is mounted on a base 47.

[0029] An upper mold guide 34 and a lower mold guide 36 are arranged inside the processing tank 46, and a workpiece is placed between the upper mold guide 34 and the lower mold guide 36. The upper mold guide 34, the lower mold guide 36, and the workpiece are immersed in the processing fluid accumulated in the processing tank 46.

[0030] A guide tube 48 for feeding the wire electrode 12 is installed on the side wall of the processing tank 46. The tube 48 is connected to the processing tank 46. The wire electrode 12, conveyed by the guide roller 36b, is inserted into the tube 48, and the processing fluid in the processing tank 46 flows in. The wire electrode 12 inserted into the tube 48 is fed out towards the discharge end of the tube 48. The processing fluid flowing into the tube 48 flows towards the discharge end of the tube 48. A dewatering mechanism 50 is provided at the discharge end of the tube 48. The dewatering mechanism 50 removes the processing fluid flowing inside the tube 48 from the wire electrode 12. The wire electrode 12 fed out from the dewatering mechanism 50 is recovered by the recovery box 44 via the pinch roller 38 and the feed roller 40.

[0031] The processing fluid treatment device 16 removes sludge generated in the processing tank 46. Furthermore, the processing fluid treatment device 16 manages the quality of the processing fluid by adjusting resistivity, temperature, and other parameters. The processing fluid, whose quality has been managed by the processing fluid treatment device 16, is returned to the processing tank 46 and is ejected from at least the upper mold guide 34.

[0032] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of the water removal mechanism 50 in the embodiment. Figure 3 This diagram shows the water removal mechanism 50 according to an embodiment, focusing on its internal structure. The water removal mechanism 50 includes: a block 52, a first guide portion 54, a second guide portion 56, and a third guide portion 58.

[0033] Block 52 is a component that forms the basis of the water removal mechanism 50. Block 52 is, for example, fixed to the housing wall of the machine body 14 (see reference). Figure 1 A through hole 52H is formed in block 52, extending in a direction intersecting the direction of gravity. In this embodiment, the through hole 52H extends in a direction orthogonal to the direction of gravity (-Z direction).

[0034] One end of the through hole 52H is the end on the side where the insertion wire electrode 12 is inserted, and the other end of the through hole 52H is the end on the side where the lead wire electrode 12 is output. Hereinafter, one end of the through hole 52H will be referred to as the input end, and the other end of the through hole 52H will be referred to as the output end.

[0035] The discharge end of pipe 48 is disposed at the input end of through hole 52H. The discharge end of pipe 48 is fixed to block 52 by fixing member 59. The imaginary center line of the discharge end of pipe 48 fixed to block 52 is approximately aligned with the imaginary center line VL of through hole 52H. Furthermore, the imaginary center line VL is an imaginary line passing through the center of the cross-section of through hole 52H. In addition, the imaginary center line of pipe 48 is an imaginary line passing through the center of the cross-section of the pipe.

[0036] A cut 60 is provided at the discharge end of pipe 48 to drain the processing fluid flowing out from the discharge end of pipe 48. The cut 60 is provided along the direction of gravity (-Z direction). By providing the cut 60, the interior of the discharge end of pipe 48 is exposed in the through hole 52H of block 52.

[0037] Block 52 is provided with a drainage path 62 that guides the processing fluid flowing out of the cut 60 along the direction of gravity (-Z direction) to the outside of block 52. The drainage path 62 extends along the direction of gravity, passing through the cut 60 and the outside of block 52.

[0038] A first guide portion 54 is disposed between the discharge end of the tube 48 and the output end of the through hole 52H. A guide hole 64 is formed in the first guide portion 54 to guide the wire electrode 12 from the input end to the output end of the through hole 52H. The guide hole 64 has a tapered portion 64A and an extension portion 64B. The imaginary center line passing through the center of the cross-section of the guide hole 64 is approximately aligned with the imaginary center line VL of the through hole 52H.

[0039] The tapered portion 64A is formed such that the aperture becomes smaller as it moves from the input end side of the through-hole 52H toward the output end side. The tapered portion 64A guides the tip of the wire electrode 12 to the extension portion 64B. The extension portion 64B extends toward the output end side of the through-hole 52H with a size similar to that of the aperture at the tip of the tapered portion 64A. The extension portion 64B is formed along the direction in which the through-hole 52H passes. The extension portion 64B guides the wire electrode 12 out of the hole while maintaining its position in a substantially fixed position.

[0040] A second guide portion 56 is provided at the output end of the through hole 52H. The second guide portion 56 is separate from the first guide portion 54. A portion of the second guide portion 56 may also extend from the output end of the through hole 52H to the outside of the block 52. A guide hole 64 is formed in the second guide portion 56.

[0041] The extension 64B of the guide hole 64 in the second guide portion 56 can also be longer than the extension 64B of the guide hole 64 in the first guide portion 54. When the extension 64B of the second guide portion 56 is longer than the extension 64B of the first guide portion 54, compared with the case where the extension 64B of the second guide portion 56 and the extension 64B of the first guide portion 54 are the same, the second guide portion 56 can stably guide the delivery of the wire electrode 12.

[0042] A third guide portion 58 is disposed in the through hole 52H between the first guide portion 54 and the second guide portion 56. The third guide portion 58 is separate from the first guide portion 54 and the second guide portion 56. A guide hole 64 is formed in the third guide portion 58.

[0043] The outlet of the gas flow path 66 of block 52 opens in the through hole 52H between the third guide portion 58 and the first guide portion 54. Additionally, the outlet of the gas flow path 66 of block 52 opens in the through hole 52H between the third guide portion 58 and the second guide portion 56. The gas flow path 66 can be composed of two flow paths having independent inlets for each of the two outlets, or it can be composed of a single flow path having a common inlet for the two outlets. In this embodiment, the gas flow path 66 is composed of two flow paths. Furthermore, one of the two flow paths constituting the gas flow path 66 is referred to as the first gas flow path 66A, and the other of the two flow paths constituting the gas flow path 66 is referred to as the second gas flow path 66B.

[0044] The first gas flow path 66A has an outlet connected to the through hole 52H between the third guide portion 58 and the first guide portion 54, and an inlet connected to the outside of the block 52. The second gas flow path 66B has an outlet connected to the through hole 52H between the third guide portion 58 and the second guide portion 56, and an inlet connected to the outside of the block 52.

[0045] A connector 68 is provided at the inlet of each of the first gas flow path 66A and the second gas flow path 66B. The connector 68 is a component that connects the gas flow path 66 (first gas flow path 66A or second gas flow path 66B) to the gas pipe 70. One end of the gas pipe 70 is installed on the connector 68, and the other end of the gas pipe 70 is installed on the compressor. The compressor may or may not be dedicated to the dehydration mechanism 50. Furthermore, as a compressor not dedicated to the dehydration mechanism 50, examples include compressors that supply compressed gas for cooling when the wire electrode 12 is cut off. Additionally, examples include compressors that supply compressed gas for driving a cylinder valve that controls the flow of water in the processing fluid supplying the wire electrode 12.

[0046] The outlets of the first gas flow path 66A and the second gas flow path 66B are respectively positioned in the opposite direction (+Z direction) to the direction of gravity (-Z direction) of the forward path of the line electrode 12 guided from the input end side to the output end side of the through hole 52H. Furthermore, the outlets of the first gas flow path 66A and the second gas flow path 66B open towards the forward path of the line electrode 12.

[0047] The inlets of the discharge port 72 of block 52 open into each of the through holes 52H between the third guide portion 58 and the first guide portion 54, and between the third guide portion 58 and the second guide portion 56. The discharge port 72 can be composed of two passages having independent outlets relative to each of the two inlets, or a single passage having a common outlet relative to the two inlets, or a single passage having both a common inlet and an outlet. In this embodiment, the discharge port 72 is composed of a single passage having both a common inlet and an outlet.

[0048] The discharge hole 72 extends along the direction of gravity. The inlet of the discharge hole 72 connects to the through hole 52H from between the third guide 58 and the first guide 54 to between the third guide 58 and the second guide 56. The outlet of the discharge hole 72 connects to the outside of the block 52.

[0049] Figure 4 This diagram illustrates the flow of the processing fluid within the dehydration mechanism 50. The wire electrode 12, exiting from the discharge end of pipe 48, is guided sequentially by the first guide 54, the third guide 58, and the second guide 56. The wire electrode 12, guided by the second guide 56, is then exited to the outside of the dehydration mechanism 50.

[0050] On the other hand, the compressed gas supplied from the compressor to the dehydration unit 50 via the gas pipe 70 is blown through the first gas flow path 66A to the wire electrode 12, which is transported from the first guide section 54 to the third guide section 58. Additionally, the compressed gas supplied from the compressor to the dehydration unit 50 via the gas pipe 70 is blown through the second gas flow path 66B to the wire electrode 12, which is transported from the third guide section 58 to the second guide section 56. Furthermore, air is listed as a specific example of the gas used for the compressed gas.

[0051] On the other hand, most of the processing fluid flowing inside the tube 48 falls through the drain path 62 from the cutout 60 at the discharge end of the tube 48. A very small portion of the processing fluid flowing inside the tube 48 disperses into the guide hole 64 of the first guide portion 54. Alternatively, a very small portion of the processing fluid flowing inside the tube 48 flows out from the first guide portion 54 toward the output end side of the through hole 52H. Alternatively, a very small portion of the processing fluid flowing inside the tube 48 adheres to the wire electrode 12.

[0052] The processing fluid that splashes into the guide hole 64 of the first guide 54 flows along the inner wall surface of the first guide 54 in a manner that decreases from the output end side of the through hole 52H toward the input end side, and falls down through the drainage path 62.

[0053] The processing fluid flowing from the first guide section 54 to the output end side of the through hole 52H falls through the discharge hole 72 due to its own weight.

[0054] The machining fluid adhering to the wire electrode 12 is dispersed by the compressed gas blown through the gas flow path 66. The dispersed machining fluid adheres to the inner wall surface of block 52, the inner wall surface of the third guide portion 58, or the inner wall surface of the second guide portion 56. The inner wall surface of the third guide portion 58 or the inner wall surface of the second guide portion 56 slopes downward from the output end side of the through hole 52H towards the input end side. The machining fluid adhering to the inner wall surface flows along the inner wall surface due to its own weight and falls through the discharge hole 72.

[0055] Thus, the block 52 of the dewatering mechanism 50 in this embodiment includes a gas flow path 66 that guides compressed gas through a through hole 52H between the first guide portion 54 and the second guide portion 56. Additionally, the block 52 includes a discharge hole 72 that connects to the through hole 52H between the first guide portion 54 and the second guide portion 56, extends along the direction of gravity, and connects to the outside of the block 52.

[0056] Therefore, the dewatering mechanism 50 of this embodiment can discharge the processing fluid flowing from the first guide 54 to the area between the first guide 54 and the second guide 56 through the discharge hole 72 due to its own weight. Furthermore, the dewatering mechanism 50 can use compressed gas guided to the through hole 52H to blow away the processing fluid adhering to the wire electrode 12 passing through the through hole 52H. As a result, according to the dewatering mechanism 50, processing fluid can be removed from the wire electrode 12 without using a suction device.

[0057] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the outlet of the gas flow path 66 is positioned in the opposite direction to the gravitational direction of the forward path of the wire electrode 12, which is guided from the input end side to the output end side of the through hole 52H. This allows compressed gas to be blown onto the wire electrode 12, guiding the processing fluid adhering to it to the discharge hole 72. Therefore, compared to the case where the outlet of the gas flow path 66 is not positioned in the opposite direction to the gravitational direction of the forward path of the wire electrode 12, processing fluid can be removed more efficiently.

[0058] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a cutout 60 is provided in the wall portion of the pipe 48 in the gravity direction at the discharge side end. A drainage path 62 is formed in the block 52 of the dewatering mechanism 50 to guide the processing fluid flowing out from the cutout 60 to the outside of the block 52 in the gravity direction. As a result, even if the pipe 48 comes into contact with the first guide portion 54, the dewatering mechanism 50 can discharge most of the processing fluid flowing inside the pipe 48 via the drainage path 62. Consequently, the dewatering mechanism 50 can shorten the length of the block 52 in the direction through which the through hole 52H passes. Moreover, the dewatering mechanism 50 can prevent most of the processing fluid flowing out from the discharge side end of the pipe 48 from flowing into the first guide portion 54 and discharge it to the outside of the block 52.

[0059] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the through hole 52H, spaced apart from the first guide portion 54 and the second guide portion 56, has a third guide portion 58. In addition, the gas flow path 66 of the dehydration mechanism 50 is connected to the through hole 52H between the first guide portion 54 and the third guide portion 58, and between the second guide portion 56 and the third guide portion 58. Therefore, compared to the case without the third guide portion 58, the reliability of removing the processing fluid from the wire electrode 12 can be improved.

[0060] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the guide hole 64 has a tapered portion 64A. The tapered portion 64A is formed such that the hole becomes smaller towards the output end side from the input end side of the through hole 52H. As a result, the inner wall surface of the guide portions (first guide portion 54, second guide portion 56, and third guide portion 58) is inclined in a manner that decreases from the output end side of the through hole 52H towards the input end side. Therefore, processing fluid that splashes onto the tapered portion 64A can be discharged through the drainage path 62 or the discharge hole 72.

[0061] [Variation Example]

[0062] The above-described implementation methods can also be modified as follows.

[0063] (Variation Example 1)

[0064] Figure 5 This is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of the water removal mechanism 50 in modified example 1. Figure 5 In this example, structures identical to those described above are marked with the same symbols. Furthermore, in this variation, descriptions that are repeated above are omitted.

[0065] In this modified example, there is no cut 60 at the discharge end of pipe 48. Figure 2 A first guide portion 54 is provided at a distance from the discharge end of pipe 48. As in the embodiment described above, most of the processing fluid flowing inside pipe 48 can be discharged via drainage path 62.

[0066] (Variation Example 2)

[0067] The outlet of at least one of the first gas flow path 66A and the second gas flow path 66B is not limited to the case where it is arranged in the opposite direction from the forward path of the wire electrode 12 towards the direction of gravity. For example, the outlet of at least one of the first gas flow path 66A and the second gas flow path 66B may also be arranged on the inner wall surface of the block 52 where the forward path of the wire electrode 12 is located in the direction of gravity. Alternatively, the outlet of at least one of the first gas flow path 66A and the second gas flow path 66B may also be arranged on the inner wall surface of the block 52 that intersects with the surface that passes through the forward path of the wire electrode 12 in the X direction.

[0068] (Variation Example 3)

[0069] The first gas flow path 66A may also have two or more outlets connected to the through hole 52H between the first guide portion 54 and the third guide portion 58. Similarly, the second gas flow path 66B may also have two or more outlets connected to the through hole 52H between the second guide portion 56 and the third guide portion 58. In these cases, compared to the case where either the first gas flow path 66A or the second gas flow path 66B has only one outlet, the amount of processing fluid adhering to the wire electrode 12 that is blown away can be increased.

[0070] (Variation Example 4)

[0071] Alternatively, the third guide portion 58 may not be provided. Alternatively, two or more third guide portions 58 may be provided in the through hole 52H between the first guide portion 54 and the second guide portion 56. When two or more third guide portions 58 are provided, a gap is provided between adjacent third guide portions 58. Furthermore, the gas flow path 66 has an outlet connected to the through hole 52H between adjacent third guide portions 58. When two or more third guide portions 58 are provided, the amount of processing fluid removed from the wire electrode 12 can be increased compared to the case where there is only one third guide portion 58.

[0072] The invention described below can be understood from the above-described embodiments and variations.

[0073] This invention relates to a dewatering mechanism 50, which removes liquid flowing inside a tube 48 from a wire electrode. The tube 48 is through which the wire electrode 12 is inserted and guides its exit. The dewatering mechanism includes: a block 52 having a through hole 52H extending in a direction intersecting the direction of gravity, with a discharge end of the tube disposed at one end of the through hole; and a first guide portion 54 disposed between the discharge end of the tube and the other end of the through hole, extending laterally from one end of the through hole to the other end of the through hole. The block includes: a guide hole 64 for guiding the wire electrode; and a second guide portion 56, which is spaced apart from the first guide portion and disposed at the other end of the through hole, forming the guide hole; the block includes: a gas flow path 66, which is connected to the through hole between the first guide portion and the second guide portion, and guides compressed gas supplied from the outside to the through hole; and an exhaust hole 72, which is connected to the through hole between the first guide portion and the second guide portion, and extends along the direction of gravity to connect to the outside of the block.

[0074] Therefore, the machining fluid flowing from the first guide section to the output end of the through hole can be discharged through the discharge hole by its own weight, and the machining fluid adhering to the wire electrode can be blown away by the compressed gas guided to the through hole. As a result, the machining fluid can be removed from the wire electrode without using a suction device.

[0075] Alternatively, the outlet of the gas flow path can be positioned in the opposite direction to the gravitational direction of the wire electrode's path, which leads from one end of the through-hole to the other end. This allows compressed gas to be blown onto the wire electrode, guiding the machining fluid adhering to it to the discharge port. Therefore, compared to the case where the outlet of the gas flow path is not positioned in the opposite direction to the gravitational direction of the wire electrode's path, machining fluid removal is more efficient.

[0076] Alternatively, a slit 60 for draining the liquid can be provided in the wall portion of the tube at the discharge end in the gravity direction, and the block includes a drainage path 62 that guides the liquid flowing out of the slit along the gravity direction to the outside of the block. Thus, even if the tube comes into contact with the first guide portion, most of the processing fluid flowing inside the tube can be drained through the drainage path. As a result, the length of the block in the direction of the through hole can be shortened. Furthermore, most of the processing fluid flowing out from the discharge end of the tube can be drained to the outside of the block without flowing into the first guide portion.

[0077] Alternatively, the first guide portion can be provided spaced apart from the discharge end of the tube, and the block includes a drainage path that guides the liquid flowing from the discharge end of the tube to the outside of the block along the direction of gravity. This allows most of the processing fluid flowing inside the tube to be discharged through the drainage path.

[0078] Alternatively, the dehydration mechanism may include a third guide portion 58, which is spaced apart from the first and second guide portions and disposed within the through hole between the first and second guide portions, forming the guide hole. The gas flow path connects to the through hole between the first and third guide portions and between the second and third guide portions. This increases the amount of processing fluid removed from the wire electrode compared to the case without the third guide portion.

[0079] Alternatively, the guide hole may have a tapered portion 64A, which is formed to become smaller towards the other end of the through hole. Thus, the inner wall surface of the guide portion slopes downward from the output end side of the through hole towards the input end side. Therefore, processing fluid that has splashed onto the tapered portion can be discharged via a drainage path or a discharge hole.

Claims

1. A dewatering mechanism for removing liquid flowing inside a tube from a wire electrode, the tube through which the wire electrode is inserted and guided for its delivery, characterized in that, The water removal mechanism has the following features: A block having a through hole extending in a direction intersecting the direction of gravity, with the discharge end of the pipe disposed at one end of the through hole; A first guide portion is disposed between the discharge end of the tube and the other end of the through hole, and a guide hole is formed to guide the wire electrode from one end of the through hole to the other end of the through hole. as well as A second guide portion, spaced apart from the first guide portion, is disposed at the other end of the through hole, forming the guide hole. The block contains: A gas flow path, which connects to the through hole between the first guide portion and the second guide portion, guides externally supplied compressed gas to the through hole; and A discharge hole, which connects to the through hole between the first guide portion and the second guide portion, extends along the direction of gravity and connects to the outside of the block. A slit is provided in the wall portion of the pipe at the discharge end in the direction of gravity to facilitate the drainage of the liquid. The cut is located between one end of the through hole and the guide hole of the first guide portion. The block includes a drainage path that guides the liquid flowing from the cut to the outside of the block along the direction of gravity. Within the through hole between the first guide portion and the second guide portion, a space is formed from the gas flow path to the discharge hole, capable of guiding the compressed gas in the direction of gravity.

2. The water removal mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that, The outlet of the gas flow path is positioned in the opposite direction to the direction of gravity than the path of the wire electrode that leads from one end of the through hole to the other end of the through hole.

3. The water removal mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that, The dewatering mechanism includes: a third guide portion, which is disposed at a distance from the first guide portion and the second guide portion in the through hole between the first guide portion and the second guide portion, and the through hole is formed therein. The gas flow path is connected to the through hole between the first guide portion and the third guide portion, and between the second guide portion and the third guide portion.

4. The water removal mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The guide hole has a tapered portion that is formed to become smaller towards the other end of the through hole.

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