Page 21 - Fall 2023 EDM Today

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Let’s examine each of these to determine possible
surfaces/points. It is also essential that the clamping
mechanism that secures the workpiece not be allowed to
sources of variation in correctly positioning the individual
electrodes relative to their respective workpieces.
infl uence the workpiece position relative to the datums.
Workpiece Baseplate
Electrode Baseplate
This element would presumably be of substantial
construction (possibly aluminum to minimize the inertial
construction and serve to locate the individual work-
load on the machine tool ram) and serve to locate the
piece holders. It would necessarily include lineup and This element would presumably be of lighter weight
individual electrode holders. It would necessarily include
pickup datums so that it can be aligned to the machine
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lineup and pickup datums so that it can be aligned to the
X-axis and positioned relative to the electrode base-
plate. It would need to include screw and dowel holes
machine X-axis and positioned relative to the workpiece
baseplate. It would need to include screw and dowel
for mounting the individual workpiece holders. It would
holes for mounting the individual electrode holders. It
be essential that the dowel hole positions be accurately
would be essential that the dowel hole positions be accu-
located relative to the baseplate datum, preferably by
rately located relative to the baseplate datum, preferably
either jig boring (if the plate is soft) or jig grinding if the
plate is hardened.
by either jig boring (if the plate is soft) or jig grinding if
Workpiece Locating Fixture
Electrode Holder
Usually, this fi xture would be hardened and ground to the plate is hardened.
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Usually, this fi xture would be hardened and ground to
preclude wear. The fi xture would include hard contact
points/surfaces to locate on workpiece datums. The fi x-
preclude wear. The fi xture would include hard contact
ture would include screw and dowel holes for fastening
surfaces to locate on key electrode features. The length
to the baseplate. It is essential that the dowel holes be jig of contact with the key electrode surfaces in the Z
direction should be substantial in relation to the amount
ground in the correct relationship to the datum contact

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EDM Today, Fall 2023 Issue