Patent ID: 6589402
Filing Date: 2003-07-08
Classification: B23H,C25D,Y10S

Abstract:
A part fabricating apparatus comprising:holding means for holding an object to be machined immersed in an electrolytic solution; a machining electrode for subjecting a surface of the object to an electrochemical reaction to electrolytically machine the surface of the object, the machining electrode having a sharp-edged tip and being coated with an insulator except for the sharp-edged tip; spacing changing means for detecting and changing a spacing between the surface of the object and the machining electrode; a potential/current control unit for controlling a potential/current on the machining electrode; electrolytic solution changing means for supplying a first electrolytic solution for subjecting the surface of the object to be machined to a removal process to fabricate a cast mold, supplying a second electrolytic solution for depositing a first metal on a surface of the cast mold to form a first metal layer, and supplying a third electrolytic solution for depositing a second metal inside the cast mold to form a part; three-dimensional shape information memory means for storing three-dimensional arbitrary shape information; and moving position control means for moving the machining electrode or the object along an arbitrary three-dimensional shape based on three-dimensional arbitrary shape information stored in the three-dimensional shape information memory means.