Electronic system for electrodischarge machining

The nature of the electrodischarge machining process(e.d.m.) is described with references to previous work in the field. The requirements of the general electrodischarge machine are discussed, and these are summarised in the form of a functional block diagram. A realisation of the resulting system is described which employs new methods of thyristor spark control, along with the design of circuitry to accomplish automatic feed down and short-circuit clearance over a wide range of machining conditions. The successful operation of the equipment is then reported, and a brief discussion of the variables of the e.d.m. process, along with their optimisation, is presented.