Page 24 - Fall 2023 EDM Today

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QUALITY CORNER | CONTINUED

Recommendations to client:
removing the rectangular base. This will allow the
electrode holder to locate on actual product features,
Regularly verify alignment of both electrode and
•
facilitate a longer electrode and reduce electrode
frame fi xture bases relative to machine axes as well
as alignment of datums to each other
instead of CNC milled
Remove cup points from electrode clamping set
•
Verify the positioning of the assembled workpiece
screws • cost by allowing the electrode to be surface ground
holder datum elements relative to the fi xture datums
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Clean electrode and workpiece fi xture datum
•
on a CMM
surfaces at each electrode or workpiece exchange
One Additional Recommendation to Our Readers
•
Replace current vee design electrode holders:
Consider the possibility of designing electrode and/or
o With a design that datums on the actual electrode
workpiece holders as a single piece with multiple sta-
cutting surfaces and clamps the electrodes with-
tions (with all critical geometry Wire EDM’d in one opera-
out infl uencing their true position location or
tion) to eliminate the tolerance accumulation associated
vertical alignment
o Increase electrode holder length by a factor of
two to improve the ratio of overhang to datum in with multiple holders.
Conclusion
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the Z-axis
Multiple electrode/workpiece EDM machining can be a
good production alternative to single piece operations if,
•
Verify completed, revised, and assembled six
and only if, proper design considerations and tight toler-
electrode holders datum positioning relative to
fi xture base datums not only in X and Y, but also
ances are maintained for all aspects of the application.
paying particular attention to datum surfaces
Roger Kern
squareness in Z in a CMM
Principal Consultant
•
Modify electrode design to a “stick” type electrode,
International Technology Professionals
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