Workpiece surface machined by an electron beam - whose intensity and deviation are modulated, the beam being focussed into an ionised gas surrounding the workpiece

摘要

The machining of a workpiece surface involves directing an electric discharge in a low pressure gas onto the surface of the workpiece and sweeping the surface to be machined across the ionized gas with a focussed electron beam whose intensity and deviation are modulated as a function of the desired machining. Machining by ionic bombardment enables complex machining programmes to be achieved with great accuracy in a manner not attainable with mechanical systems. In addition it enables certain materials to be machined which are incapable of being machined mechanically. It also enables greater machining speeds to be used without excessive localised heating.