Patent ID: 11858055
Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE PLC
Field: Machine tools (Mechanical engineering)
Classification: CPC B | IPC B

Claim 12:
13. A method of retrofitting a handheld EDM device, the handheld EDM device comprising a drivetrain connected to an electrode cutting head, the method comprising the steps of:
removing the electrode cutting head from the drivetrain; and
attaching a cutting electrode head to the drivetrain, the cutting electrode head comprising:
a housing;
a cutting electrode supported in the housing, the cutting electrode configured to move from a retracted position to an extended position along an electrode axis (C) to cut a workpiece; and
an actuator supported in the housing and movable along a movement axis (E) which is at an angle to the electrode axis (C), the actuator configured to move the cutting electrode by way of a linear cam arrangement,
wherein movement of the actuator (60) along the movement axis (E) causes the cutting electrode to move between its retracted and extended positions, and
wherein the cutting electrode is resiliently biased, by a spring acting between the cutting electrode and the housing or a component fixed to the housing, to its retracted position.