Improvement of Performance of Pocket-Size Electro-Discharge Machine by Using Additional Piezoelectric Element

Abstract

A pocket-size electro-discharge machine of which electrode-feeding is done by using two piezoelectric elements has been developed. One piezo makes inertial force for the Impact Drive Mechanism (IDM). The other piezo adjusts a gap length between an electrode and a workpiece, or forces an electrode to vibrate. To improve' the machining performance of the pocket-size electro-discharge machine, forced vibration of an electrode (Vibration method) and the electrode-feeding with fine step of 10 nm (Interpolation method) are examined by using the additional piezo. By the vibration method, the machining time is decreased to 67 % of that without the additional piezo. By the interpolation method, which can make the resolution of the precise positioning mechanism utilizing the IDM finer, the machining time is decreased to 74 %. © 1992, The Japan Society for Precision Engineering. All rights reserved.