APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR WORKING ELECTRICALLY CONDUCTIVE MATERIALS BY ELECTRIC EROSION

摘要

Surface texturing and machining of workpieces by a process of electrical erosion, utilising an electrode arranged to be placed next to the workpiece leaving a gap across which electrical discharges are made to occur by the application of a voltage between the electrode and workpiece. Sensors are arranged at positions along the gap between the electrode and workpiece to detect where along the gap discharging is taking place so as to give an indication of the relative orientations of the electrode and workpiece. Any necessary adjustment of the relative orientation of the electrode and workpiece can be made in the light of this information. Further sensing means are arranged to detect the strength of the voltage discharges occuring in the gap, to give an indication of the texturing conditions. Necessary alterations can be made to the texturing conditions in the light of this information. Readings of discharges are taken by a sample and hold circuit.