EDM Power Supply Time Slices for Custom Waveform Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing EDM systems have limited control over waveform modification, with standard waveforms being fixed in frequency, duty cycle, and amplitude, allowing only minor adjustments through hardware changes, restricting the ability to create complex or custom waveforms.

Innovation Solution

A power supply system that defines waveforms using time slices with varying voltages and widths, enabling the creation of custom logical waveforms and frequencies up to the electronics' switching speed, with control over multiple time slices within the positive and negative portions of the wave.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If standard fixed waveforms are used with limited hardware adjustments, then the system is simple and reliable, but waveform flexibility and customization capability are severely restricted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewaveform customization capabilityVSAvoidpower supply control system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The waveform is divided into multiple time slices, where each time slice can be independently controlled with different voltage levels and durations. This segmentation allows complex waveforms to be constructed from simple modular units, providing extensive customization capability while maintaining manageable system complexity through software-based control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The power supply system transitions from fixed hardware-based waveform generation to dynamic software-controlled waveform synthesis. The system can adjust waveform parameters (voltage, time slice duration, sequence) in real-time without physical hardware changes, enabling adaptive waveform customization for different EDM applications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If hardware configuration changes are made to modify waveforms, then waveform adjustment is possible, but the range of modification is extremely limited and requires physical reconfiguration

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewaveform modification rangeVSAvoidwaveform adjustment ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical/hardware-based waveform adjustment with electronic/software-based control. Instead of physically reconfiguring capacitors and resistors, the system uses digital control to synthesize desired waveforms from time slices, making waveform modification as easy as changing software parameters while dramatically expanding the range of possible waveforms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Productivity

If fixed frequency and duty cycle waveforms are used, then the power supply system is simple, but the ability to optimize EDM processes for different materials and applications is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveEDM process optimization capabilityVSAvoidwaveform control simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables independent control of multiple waveform parameters (voltage amplitude, time slice duration, frequency, duty cycle) through software. This allows optimization of EDM processes for different materials and applications by adjusting parameters without complicating the physical system, as all changes are made through programmable control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS11084112B2Electrical discharge machine time slice power supply

Publication Date: 2021.08.10 JOHNSON TECHNOLOGY INC

AI summary

The specification discloses an electrical discharge machining (EDM) system and method capable of defining an unlimited number of waveforms. The system and method define logical waveforms using a plurality of time slices, each having a voltage and a width. The time slices are applied to the system power section where they are amplified and delivered to the electrode.