ELECTRICAL DISCHARGE MACHINING APPARATUS AND METHOD

摘要

An electrical discharge machining (EDM) apparatus and method that utilizes a rotating electrode (16) for performing an electric discharge machining operation to form a desired profile in a workpiece (14) surface. A dressing tool (28) located at a side of the rotating electrode (16) opposite from the workpiece (14) is operable to dress the surface of the rotating electrode (16). Operation of the dressing tool (28) is controlled in part by a monitor (30) that monitors changes in the character and condition of the surface of the rotating electrode (16) from certain starting parameters and initiates a dressing operation as needed to restore the starting parameters.