Arrangement method of electrode jig for arranging electrical discharge machining

Abstract

The invention discloses an arrangement method for arranging electrode jigs for electric discharge machining. The arrangement method comprises the following steps: respectively establishing electrode jig information according to electric discharge machining conditions of a plurality of electrode jigs; the electric discharge machining machine divides the multiple pieces of electrode jig information into a rough machining category, a finish machining category and a pouring gate machining category; next, the electric discharge machine not only arranges the above three categories into a rough machining category, a finish machining category and a pouring gate machining category in sequence, but also arranges information of a plurality of electrode jigs of each category from large to small according to the size of the area where the electrode jigs conduct electric discharge machining, and therefore the electric discharge machining accuracy is improved. According to the machining sequence arrangement method, the use sequence of the multiple electrode jigs can be correctly arranged, so that the use sequence of the multiple electrode jigs cannot be wrongly ranked due to practical experience of operators, and the selected electrode jigs can be used at opposite time points relative to an electric discharge machining machine.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a method for arranging electrode fixtures for electrical discharge machining (EDM) in conjunction with an EDM machine, and more particularly to a method for arranging electrode fixtures for EDM that can correctly arrange the usage sequence of multiple electrode fixtures before the EDM machine performs EDM on the workpiece. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, almost all workpieces are machined using traditional machining tools (such as lathes, milling machines, drilling machines, planers, or grinding machines) to achieve a preset shape and size. However, with the continuous advancement of technology, both the size and surface precision of workpieces are constantly improving, leading to the development of various precision machining tools (such as electrical discharge machining) to perform precision machining on workpieces.

[0003] Among them, most of the existing precision operations use electrical discharge machining (EDM), which is a non-traditional cutting method. EDM mainly involves moving the electrode fixture of the EDM machine to the vicinity of the workpiece. Then, the EDM machine applies voltage through the electrode fixture to generate a spark discharge phenomenon. The EDM machine uses the high temperature generated by the spark discharge phenomenon to melt and cut the workpiece so that the workpiece can meet the requirements of precision machining.

[0004] However, during the electrical discharge machining (EDM) process, various electrode fixtures are constantly being changed to ensure that the machine uses the selected fixture at the appropriate time to achieve the desired shape and size. Currently, the order of use of these multiple electrode fixtures relies on the operator's practical experience. If the operator incorrectly arranges the order, the EDM will use the wrong fixture at the wrong time. Consequently, the workpiece may not only fail to achieve the desired shape and size, but it may also be processed into an undesirable shape and be scrapped, increasing material costs. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The main objective of this invention is to provide a method for arranging electrode fixtures for electrical discharge machining (EDM), which allows the correct arrangement of multiple electrode fixtures without relying on the operator's practical experience, enabling the selected electrode fixtures to be used at appropriate times relative to the EDM machine.

[0006] To achieve the aforementioned objective, the present invention provides a method for arranging electrode fixtures for electrical discharge machining (EDM), which is used to arrange the usage sequence of multiple electrode fixtures. The electrode fixture has an electrode body and an electrode end located at one end of the electrode body. The method for arranging electrode fixtures for EDM includes the following steps: an information establishment step, an electrode fixture processing classification step, a discharge area size order arrangement step, and a processing classification order arrangement step.

[0007] The information establishment step is as follows: an electronic device establishes electrode fixture information based on the electrical discharge machining conditions of each electrode fixture. The electrode fixture information includes a machining classification item and an intersection area value. The machining classification item indicates whether the electrode fixture is used for roughing, finishing, or gating. The intersection area value is the surface area of ​​the electrode head, which indicates the size of the area where the electrode fixture can perform electrical discharge machining on the workpiece.

[0008] The electrode fixture processing classification step involves obtaining the information of the multiple electrode fixtures by an electrical discharge machining (EDM) machine, and classifying the information of the multiple electrode fixtures into a roughing category, a finishing category, and a gating processing category according to the processing classification items.

[0009] The discharge area size order arrangement steps are as follows: The electrical discharge machining machine arranges the multiple electrode fixture information of the roughing category, the finishing category and the gating category in descending order according to the value of the intersection area, so that the roughing category, the finishing category and the gating category are transformed into a roughing sequence, a finishing sequence and a gating sequence respectively.

[0010] The processing classification sequence arrangement steps are as follows: the roughing sequence, the finishing sequence, and the gating sequence are arranged by the electrical discharge machining machine, so that the electrical discharge machining machine forms an electrical discharge machining sequence table with the roughing sequence, finishing sequence, and gating sequence in sequence.

[0011] In this embodiment, when a portion of the electrode fixture information in one of the three categories—roughing, finishing, and gating—has the same intersection area value, the electrical discharge machining machine will randomly arrange the portion of the electrode fixture information with the same intersection area value in sequence during the process of arranging the order of the discharge area size.

[0012] Furthermore, the electrode fixture information further includes a machining depth value, which is used to represent the thickness of the electrode head.

[0013] The key feature of this invention is that when the electrical discharge machining (EDM) machine uses the electrode fixture arrangement method, it first classifies multiple electrode fixture information into roughing, finishing, and gating categories based on the processing classification items. Next, the EDM machine not only arranges these three categories sequentially as roughing, finishing, and gating, but also further arranges the multiple electrode fixture information for each category from largest to smallest based on the value of their intersection area. This allows the EDM machine to generate an EDM sequence table, which in turn enables it to perform EDM on the workpiece. Therefore, this processing sequence arrangement method eliminates the need for operator experience to correctly arrange the usage order of multiple electrode fixtures, preventing errors due to insufficient operator experience. This ensures that the selected electrode fixture is used at the appropriate time. Attached Figure Description

[0014] Figure 1 This is a flowchart of the steps for arranging electrode fixtures for electrical discharge machining according to the present invention;

[0015] Figure 2 This is a block diagram of an electrical discharge machining (EDM) machine.

[0016] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of an electrode fixture;

[0017] Figure 4 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram illustrating the steps involved in establishing information;

[0018] Figure 5 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the processing and classification steps for the middle electrode fixture;

[0019] Figure 6 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the steps for arranging the discharge regions in order of size;

[0020] Figure 7 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the processing and classification sequence arrangement steps;

[0021] Figure 8 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the electrical discharge machining (EDM) steps.

[0022] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures: 10-Electrical discharge machining machine; 11-Electrode fixture; 111-Electrode body; 112-Electrode end; 12-Microprocessor; 13-Memory unit; 14-Reading unit; 20-Electronic device; 30-Workpiece; S1-Information establishment step; S2-Electrode fixture processing classification step; S3-Discharge area size order arrangement step; S4-Processing classification order arrangement step. Detailed Implementation

[0023] The present invention will be further described below with reference to specific embodiments and accompanying drawings, and the advantages and features of the present invention will become clearer with the description.

[0024] Please see Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the electrode fixture arrangement method of the present invention for electrical discharge machining is used in conjunction with an electrical discharge machining machine 10, such as... Figure 2 As shown, the electrical discharge machining (EDM) machine 10 is equipped with multiple electrode fixtures 11. Furthermore, the EDM machine 10 has a microprocessor 12 for processing information, a memory unit 13 for storing information, and a read unit 14 for acquiring external information. Both the memory unit 13 and the read unit 14 are electrically connected to the microprocessor 12. Figure 3 As shown, the electrode fixture 11 has an electrode body 111 and an electrode end 112 located at one end of the electrode body.

[0025] Please see Figure 1 and Figure 4 As shown, the electrical discharge machining (EDM) machine 10 operates on a workpiece 30 (e.g., ...). Figure 8 Before performing electrical discharge machining (EDM), the EDM machine 10 first executes the processing sorting method of the automated electrode fixture 11. First, the operator prepares an electronic device 20 (e.g., a computer), and the operator uses 3D drawing software installed on the electronic device 20 to draw each electrode fixture 11 according to its shape and size, so that the electronic device 20 stores multiple 3D files, and each electrode fixture 11 has a corresponding 3D file. Next, the operator uses the electronic device 20 to create electrode fixture information according to the EDM conditions of each electrode fixture 11, so that each electrode fixture information corresponds one-to-one with one electrode fixture 11. Furthermore, the operator inputs whether each electrode fixture 11 is used for roughing, finishing, or gating through the electronic device 20, so that each electrode fixture information contains a processing classification item indicating whether the electrode fixture 11 is used for roughing, finishing, or gating.

[0026] In addition, the electronic device 20 acquires each 3D drawing file, and calculates the surface area of ​​the electrode head 112 of each electrode fixture 11 based on the dimensions of the 3D drawing file, so that the electronic device 20 can know the relationship between each electrode fixture 11 and the workpiece 30 (e.g., ...). Figure 8 When performing electrical discharge machining (EDM) as shown, the intersection area between the electrode head 112 of the electrode fixture 11 and the workpiece 30 is used to generate an intersection area value in each electrode fixture information to represent the size of the area where the electrode fixture 11 can perform EDM on the workpiece 30. In addition, the electronic device 20 calculates the thickness of the electrode head 112 of each electrode fixture 11 based on the 3D drawing to generate a processing depth value. When each electrode fixture information has the processing classification item, intersection area value and processing depth value, the electronic device 20 randomly arranges multiple electrode fixture information to form an electrode fixture list, thereby completing an information establishment step S1. In this embodiment, the EDM machine 10 may perform EDM on a single workpiece 30 or on multiple workpieces 30 simultaneously. When the EDM machine 10 may perform EDM on multiple workpieces 30 simultaneously, the electrode heads of some electrode fixtures 11 will have the same shape and size, so that the processing classification item and intersection area value of some electrode fixture information will have the same value.

[0027] Please see Figure 1 and Figure 5As shown, after completing the information establishment step S1, the electrode fixture processing classification step S2 begins. During the electrode fixture processing classification step S2, the electronic device 20 is electrically connected to the reading unit 14 of the EDM machine 10, enabling the reading unit 14 to obtain the electrode fixture list containing multiple electrode fixture information from the electronic device 20. Furthermore, the reading unit 14 transmits the electrode fixture list to the EDM machine's memory unit 13 via the EDM machine's microprocessor 12, so that the memory unit 13 stores multiple electrode fixture information. Then, the EDM machine's microprocessor 12 classifies the multiple electrode fixture information stored in the memory unit 13 according to the processing classification items, thereby... A portion of the electrode fixture information is classified into a roughing category for roughing, another portion into a finishing category for finishing, and the remaining portion into a gating category for gating. In this embodiment, after the microprocessor 12 of the EDM machine 10 classifies the multiple electrode fixture information stored in the memory unit 13 into roughing, finishing, and gating categories, the multiple electrode fixture information belonging to the roughing category will be randomly arranged, the multiple electrode fixture information belonging to the finishing category will also be randomly arranged, and the multiple electrode fixture information belonging to the gating category will also be randomly arranged.

[0028] Please see Figure 1 and Figure 6As shown, after the microprocessor 12 of the EDM machine 10 classifies the multiple electrode fixture information stored in the memory unit 13 into roughing, finishing, and gating categories, it begins a step S3 of arranging the order of discharge area sizes. First, the microprocessor 12 of the EDM machine 10 arranges the multiple electrode fixture information belonging to the roughing category from largest to smallest according to the value of the intersection area, so that the roughing category is transformed into a roughing order in which multiple electrode fixture information is arranged from largest to smallest according to the value of the intersection area. Then, the electrode fixture information with the largest intersection area value is placed in the first position in the roughing order, and the electrode fixture information with the smallest intersection area value is placed in the last position in the roughing order. Next, the microprocessor 12 then arranges the multiple electrode fixture information belonging to the finishing category from largest to smallest according to the value of the intersection area, so that the finishing category is transformed into a roughing order in which multiple electrode fixture information is arranged from largest to smallest according to the value of the intersection area. The finishing process sequence is arranged from largest to smallest intersection area value. Then, the microprocessor 12 further arranges multiple electrode fixture information belonging to the gating processing category from largest to smallest according to the value of the intersection area value. This transforms the gating processing category into a gating processing sequence where multiple electrode fixture information are arranged from largest to smallest intersection area value. In the finishing process sequence, the first electrode fixture information has the largest intersection area value, and the last electrode fixture information has the smallest intersection area value. Similarly, in the gating processing sequence, the first electrode fixture information has the largest intersection area value, and the last electrode fixture information has the smallest intersection area value. Thus, when the roughing, finishing, and gating processing categories are transformed into the roughing, finishing, and gating processing sequences, respectively, the discharge area size order arrangement step S3 is completed.

[0029] In this embodiment, as Figure 6As shown, in the roughing category, there are two electrode fixtures with an intersection area value of 421.57. During the discharge area size ordering step S3, the EDM machine 10 will arrange the two electrode fixtures with an intersection area value of 421.57 together, so that the two electrode fixtures with an intersection area value of 421.57 are randomly arranged in sequence. Therefore, there will be no other electrode fixtures with intersection area values ​​between the two electrode fixtures with an intersection area value of 421.57. However, the presence of electrode fixtures with the same intersection area value in the roughing category is only for illustrative purposes. That is, when a portion of the electrode fixtures in either the finishing category or the gating category contain the same intersection area value, the EDM machine 10 will randomly arrange the electrode fixtures with the same intersection area value in sequence during the discharge area size ordering step S3.

[0030] Please see Figure 1 and Figure 7 As shown, after completing the discharge area size order arrangement step S3, the processing classification order arrangement step S4 begins. The microprocessor 12 of the EDM machine 10 arranges the roughing sequence, finishing sequence, and gating sequence in the following order: roughing sequence, finishing sequence, and gating sequence. This creates an EDM sequence table with the order of roughing sequence, finishing sequence, and gating sequence in the EDM machine 10. Please refer to [link to relevant documentation]. Figure 1 and Figure 8 As shown, once the electrical discharge machining machine 10 forms the electrical discharge machining sequence list, the electrical discharge machining machine 10 completes all the steps of the electrode fixture arrangement method for electrical discharge machining of the present invention. Then, the electrical discharge machining machine 10 can select different electrode fixtures 11 to perform electrical discharge machining on the workpiece 30 through the electrical discharge machining sequence list.

[0031] The above description is illustrative only and not restrictive to the present invention. Those skilled in the art will understand that many modifications, variations or equivalents can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, and all such modifications, variations or equivalents will fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A method for arranging electrode fixtures for electrical discharge machining (EDM), used to arrange the usage sequence of multiple electrode fixtures, wherein each electrode fixture has an electrode body and an electrode end located at one end of the electrode body, characterized in that, The method for arranging electrode fixtures for electrical discharge machining includes: Information establishment step: An electronic device establishes electrode fixture information based on the electrical discharge machining conditions of each electrode fixture. The electrode fixture information includes a machining classification item and an intersection area value. The machining classification item indicates whether the electrode fixture is used for roughing, finishing, or gating. The intersection area value is the surface area of ​​the electrode head, which indicates the size of the area where the electrode fixture can perform electrical discharge machining on the workpiece. Electrode fixture processing classification steps: An electrical discharge machining (EDM) machine obtains information on the multiple electrode fixtures, and the EDM machine classifies the information on the multiple electrode fixtures into a roughing category, a finishing category, and a gating category according to the processing classification items; The discharge region size ordering step involves the electrical discharge machining (EDM) machine arranging multiple electrode fixture information from the roughing, finishing, and gating categories in descending order based on the numerical value of their intersection area. This transforms the roughing, finishing, and gating categories into a roughing sequence, a finishing sequence, and a gating sequence, respectively. The first step in arranging the processing classification sequence is as follows: the roughing sequence, the finishing sequence, and the gating sequence are arranged by the electrical discharge machining (EDM) machine, so that the EDM machine forms an EDM sequence table with the roughing sequence, finishing sequence, and gating sequence in that order. Specifically, when a portion of the electrode fixture information in one of the three categories—rough machining, fine machining, and gating machining—contains an intersection area value with the same value, the electrical discharge machining machine can randomly arrange the portion of the electrode fixture information with the same intersection area value in sequence during the process of arranging the order of the discharge area size.

2. The method for arranging electrode fixtures for electrical discharge machining according to claim 1, characterized in that: The electrode fixture information also includes a machining depth value, which is used to represent the thickness of the electrode head.

Images