Discharge machining electrode

Abstract

To provide a discharge machining electrode which secures sufficient rigidity to be capable of performing stable machining.SOLUTION: A discharge machining electrode 10 moves in a processing direction Dp while generating discharge between the electrode and a work-piece W to process the work-piece W along the processing direction Dp. The discharge machining electrode has a thin plate shape where the processing direction Dp thereof is a width direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an electric discharge machining electrode.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an electrode preferably applied to electric discharge treatment for machining small-diameter holes in a substrate material such as a printed wiring board. This electrode is shown to be made of a wire having an L-shape or a fishhook shape and a circular or elliptical cross-section.

Prior Art Document

Patent Document

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the technique described in Patent Document 1 above, the electrode is made of a wire in order to reduce the electrode volume and the parts contributing to machining. For this reason, it is difficult to obtain a shape that ensures rigidity, and stable machining is difficult.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide an electric discharge machining electrode that ensures sufficient rigidity and enables stable machining.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, the electric discharge machining electrode of the present invention is an electric discharge machining electrode that moves in a machining direction while generating an electric discharge between the electrode and a workpiece to machine the workpiece along the machining direction, wherein the machining direction is a width direction and the electrode has a thin plate shape.

[0007] According to the electrical discharge machining electrode of this configuration, it has a thin plate shape in which the machining direction is the width direction. That is, compared with the electrode made of wire, the rigidity can be increased with respect to the machining direction. As a result, deformation during machining can be suppressed, and the workpiece can be machined smoothly. The machining time can be shortened and the consumption of the electrode can be suppressed.

Advantages of the Invention

[0008] According to the electrical discharge machining electrode of the present invention, a sufficient rigidity can be ensured, and an electrical discharge machining electrode capable of stable machining can be provided.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

Figure 1

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Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an electric discharge machining apparatus 100 provided with an electric discharge machining electrode 10 according to the present embodiment and a workpiece W. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the electric discharge machining apparatus 100. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the longitudinal direction of the electric discharge machining apparatus 100. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the width direction of the electric discharge machining apparatus 100.

[0011] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the electric discharge machining electrode 10 according to the present embodiment is provided in the electric discharge machining apparatus 100. The electric discharge machining apparatus 100 is an apparatus that performs electric discharge machining on the workpiece W using the electric discharge machining electrode 10. The electric discharge machining apparatus 100 includes a support mechanism 20, and the electric discharge machining electrode 10 is supported by the support mechanism 20.

[0012] The electric discharge machining electrode 10 is formed in a thin plate shape. The electric discharge machining electrode 10 is formed, for example, from a thin plate made of a metal such as a copper-based, graphite-based, or tungsten alloy-based metal. In this example, the electric discharge machining electrode 10 is formed by bending a long thin plate having a constant width dimension A in the longitudinal direction, and has a pair of side plate portions 11 and a bottom plate portion 12. The side plate portion 11 and the bottom plate portion 12 are formed in a flat plate shape, and the bottom plate portion 12 is continuously provided at the lower end of the side plate portion 11. The electric discharge machining electrode 10 is formed in a concave shape in which the connecting portion between the side plate portion 11 and the bottom plate portion 12 is bent, and the end of each side plate portion 11 is a contact portion 13. In this thin plate-shaped electric discharge machining electrode 10, the width direction thereof is the machining direction when performing electric discharge machining on the workpiece W. Note that the shape of the bottom plate portion 12 is not limited to a flat plate shape, and may be a curved shape that bulges downward. In this case, it becomes a U shape in which the bottom plate portion 12 is continuously provided from the lower end of the side plate portion 11 without bending.

[0013] The support mechanism 20 includes a pair of power supply members 21 and 22 and a pair of support beam portions 25. The electric discharge machining electrode 10 is supported in a state where its contact portion 13 is electrically connected to the power supply members 21 and 22. The power supply members 21 and 22 are connected to a power supply device (not shown). Then, electric power is supplied to the electric discharge machining electrode 10 from the power supply device via the power supply members 21 and 22.

[0014] The support beams 25 are arranged parallel to each other, and electron donors 21 and 22 are provided between these support beams 25. The electron donors 21 and 22 are arranged at intervals from each other. One of the electron donors 21 is provided with a position adjustment screw 23, and by rotating this position adjustment screw 23, position adjustment is possible along the longitudinal direction of the support beam 25. And by adjusting the position of this one electron donor 21, the interval between the pair of electron donors 21 and 22 is changed. The pair of electron donors 21 and 22 have V-shaped locking groove portions 21a and 22a at their lower parts, and the electric discharge machining electrode 10 is connected in a state where the contact portions 13 are inserted into and locked in the locking groove portions 21a and 22a of the respective electron donors 21 and 22.

[0015] The support mechanism 20 is movable in the horizontal plane and in the vertical direction by a moving mechanism (not shown). Thereby, the electric discharge machining electrode 10 supported by the support mechanism 20 is moved in the horizontal plane and in the vertical direction.

[0016] Next, a case where machining is performed on the workpiece W by the electric discharge machining apparatus 100 provided with the above-described electric discharge machining electrode 10 will be described.

[0017] When machining is performed on the workpiece W by the electric discharge machining apparatus 100, the support mechanism 20 is lowered. Then, the electric discharge machining electrode 10 is moved toward one of the vertical holes Ha and Hb (in the direction of arrow Dd in FIG. 1) formed in advance by machining such as mechanical machining in the workpiece W immersed in the machining liquid. Thereby, the electric discharge machining electrode 10 is disposed in one vertical hole Ha of the workpiece W.

[0018] Next, while applying a voltage between the electric discharge machining electrode 10 and the workpiece W by supplying power to the electric discharge machining electrode 10, the support mechanism 20 is moved in the horizontal direction. Thereby, the electric discharge machining electrode 10 is moved in the machining direction (arrow Dp direction in FIG. 1) toward the other vertical hole Hb while performing electric discharge machining with the workpiece 10. Thereby, the workpiece W is cut along the shape of the electric discharge machining electrode 10 between the vertical holes Ha and Hb.

[0019] When the electrical discharge machining electrode 10 reaches the other vertical hole Hb, the support mechanism 20 is raised. As a result, the electrical discharge machining electrode 10 is moved upward (in the direction of arrow Du in FIG. 1) and taken out from the workpiece W. Thereby, a groove portion is machined in the workpiece W, where the space between the vertical holes Ha and Hb is drilled by the electrical discharge machining electrode 10.

[0020] Here, a reference example will be described. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an electrical discharge machining apparatus including the electrical discharge machining electrode 1 according to the reference example. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a state during machining by the electrical discharge machining electrode 1 according to the reference example. FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing a state during machining by the electrical discharge machining electrode 10 according to the present embodiment.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 5, the electrical discharge machining electrode 1 according to the reference example is formed in a concave shape by bending a wire rod made of metal such as a wire, and both ends thereof are supported by the support beam portions 3 of the support mechanism 2. As shown in FIG. 6, in this electrical discharge machining electrode 1 according to the reference example, when moving in the machining direction Dp while performing electrical discharge machining with the workpiece W, it may be deformed by the resistance force received from the workpiece W, making stable machining difficult.

[0022] On the other hand, in the electrical discharge machining electrode 10 according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, since the machining direction Dp when machining the workpiece W has a thin plate shape in which the width direction is the machining direction, the rigidity can be increased with respect to the machining direction Dp. Thereby, deformation during machining of the workpiece W can be suppressed, and the workpiece W can be machined smoothly. Therefore, the machining time can be shortened and the consumption of the electrode can be suppressed.

[0023] Further, the contact portions 13 at both ends of the electrical discharge machining electrode 10 are inserted and locked into the V-shaped locking groove portions 21a and 22a of the power feeders 21 and 22 constituting the support mechanism 20. Therefore, for example, compared with a structure in which the contact portion 13 is brought into contact with a plate-shaped power feeder, problems such as the contact portion 13 slipping and shifting with respect to the power feeders 21 and 22 can be suppressed, and the electrical discharge machining electrode 10 can be supported by the support mechanism 20 with high reproducibility.

[0024] Moreover, one contact portion 13 of the electrical discharge machining electrode 10 is supported by an electron donor 21 whose position can be adjusted by the rotation operation of the position adjustment screw 23. Therefore, the electrical discharge machining electrodes 10 with different positions of the contact portion 13 can be easily supported by the common support mechanism 20. That is, it is possible to eliminate the need for dedicated support mechanisms 20 corresponding to the electrical discharge machining electrodes 10 with different positions of the contact portion 13, and the equipment cost can be reduced.

[0025] Next, an example of electrical discharge machining using the electrical discharge machining electrode 10 will be described. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a molded product 30 formed from a mold machined by the electrical discharge machining electrode 10. FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the electrical discharge machining electrode 10 and the workpiece W for explaining the machining process of the mold by the electrical discharge machining electrode 10 according to the present embodiment.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 8, the molded product 30 formed from the mold machined by the electrical discharge machining electrode 10 has a pair of bosses 31a, 31b. The bosses 31a, 31b are formed in a columnar shape and are arranged parallel to each other. These bosses 31a, 31b are connected by a reinforcing rib 32. The reinforcing rib 32 is formed in a plate shape with an upper edge having a circular arc-shaped cross section. The both side edges of the reinforcing rib 32 are integrally connected along the longitudinal direction with respect to the bosses 31a, 31b, whereby the bosses 31a, 31b are reinforced by the reinforcing rib 32.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 9, in order to machine the mold for molding this molded product 30, first, vertical holes Ha, Hb having a circular cross section are machined in the workpiece W at locations that will become the cavities of the bosses 31a, 31b by means of a drill or the like.

[0028] Next, with respect to the workpiece W immersed in the machining fluid, a thin plate-shaped electrical discharge machining electrode 10 having a curved bottom plate portion 12 bulging downward is disposed in one of the vertical holes Ha, and the width direction of the electrical discharge machining electrode 10 is aligned with the machining direction Dp toward the other vertical hole Hb.

[0029] Thereafter, by supplying power to the electrical discharge machining electrode 10, while applying a voltage between the electrical discharge machining electrode 10 and the workpiece W, the electrical discharge machining electrode 10 is moved toward the other vertical hole Hb, and the portion between the vertical holes Ha and Hb in the workpiece W is cut along the shape of the electrical discharge machining electrode 10.

[0030] When the electrical discharge machining electrode 10 reaches the other vertical hole Hb, the electrical discharge machining electrode 10 is pulled out from the vertical hole Hb.

[0031] In this way, a U-shaped groove portion G in a cross-sectional view, which becomes the cavity of the reinforcing rib 32, is machined between the vertical holes Ha and Hb that become the cavities of the bosses 31a and 31b. Thereby, a mold for molding a molded product 30 in which a pair of columnar bosses 31a and 31b are reinforced by a plate-shaped reinforcing rib 32 is manufactured.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0032] 10 Electrical discharge machining electrode Dp Machining direction W Workpiece

Claims

【Claim 1】 An electric discharge machining electrode that machines the workpiece along the machining direction by moving in the machining direction while generating an electric discharge between the electrode and the workpiece, wherein the machining direction is the width direction and the electrode has a thin plate shape. Electric discharge machining electrode.

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