Patent ID: 9314860
Filing Date: 2016-04-19
CPC Classification: B23H,B23Q,Y10T

Claim Text:
1. An electrical discharge machining (EDM) system comprising: a spindle adapted to receive an electrode in an upward direction; an electrode storage system adapted to store a plurality of electrodes, the electrode storage system including an electrode dispensing system adapted to dispense the electrodes one at a time from the electrode storage system; an electrode insertion system adapted to draw an electrode from the electrode dispensing system in a downward direction and to insert the electrode in an upward direction directly into contact with the spindle; a storage transport system adapted to move the electrode storage system horizontally between a dispensing position vertically aligned with the electrode insertion system and a rest position; an electrode removal system adapted to remove a used electrode from the spindle in a downward direction; and a spindle transport system adapted to move the spindle horizontally to selectively align the spindle with (a) the electrode removal system for withdrawal of a spent electrode from the spindle in a downward direction by the electrode removal system, (b) the electrode insertion system for the insertion of an electrode into the spindle in an upward direction by the electrode insertion system, and (c) a workpiece.