Patent ID: 7976694
Filing Date: 2011-07-12
Classification: B23H,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A method of hybrid machining a workpiece, comprising the steps of: rotating a cutter, the cutter made of an electrically conductive material and having a non-conductive abrasive material; electrically powering a workpiece and the cutter with a power supply; circulating a coolant therebetween, the coolant containing one or more additives for increasing electrical discharge between the workpiece and the cutter; positioning the workpiece relative to the cutter at a predetermined depth of cut; moving the cutter relative to the workpiece to remove material from the workpiece in a roughing pass machining operation in which material is removed from the workpiece at a relatively high rate using a high-speed electro-erosion (HSEE) process when the power supply provides a first differential electrical potential and the coolant circulates at a first flow rate and a first pressure; and moving the cutter relative to the workpiece to remove material from the workpiece in a finish pass machining operation in which material is removed from the workpiece using precision electro-grinding (PEG) process when the power supply provides a second differential electrical potential and the coolant circulates at a second flow rate and a second pressure, wherein the first pressure is in a range between about 100 psi to about 400 psi, and wherein the second pressure is less than about 200 psi.