Spark erosion machine

A spark erosion machine that includes two independently driven portals, each portal mounted on a portal carrier and bearing a header holding an electrode. The machine also has segmented container with a removable inner door separating two subcontainers and side walls forming hermetically sealable access doors.

This invention concerns a structure for a machine-tool, more particularly 
for a spark-erosion machine. 
Machine-tools are at present known using spark-erosion technique for 
machining. These machines replace the conventional machine-bed by a 
container containing di-electric liquid in which are arranged the 
components to be machined and the tools for machining by electrodes. 
On that basis, the applicant is the holder of registered rights 
incorporating new technology in this industrial field of spark-erosion 
machine-tools. Spanish Patent 8702268 may be quoted as an example, 
relating to a portal structure for this type of machine, Spanish patents 
8702267 and 8700408, relating respectively to a system for cleaning the 
filter and the di-electric liquid; also Spanish patents 539,371 and 
539,372 relating to electronic control systems for a penetration 
spark-erosion machine. 
The appropriate technical requirements are such that normal machine 
structures have become outmoded and unviable, although the technologies in 
use remain technically very valid. 
Where for instance there is a need to machine small configurations in large 
components, the said small configurations being very distant from each 
other, the spark-erosion process can prove effective, but it is not viable 
since it is necessary to use under-utilised high technology machines 
successively to achieve small operations, with extensive operational times 
(minimum yield). 
The present invention provides for a new machine-tool structure, 
particularly a spark-erosion machine tool, consisting of: 
a) at least two portals driven in an independent manner, each portal being 
mounted on a portal-carriage and bearing the upper part moving along axis 
O:X in relation to the portal and the assembly being movable along O:Y in 
relation to the machine-bed; 
b) a machine-bed structured to form a sump or container, with one side wall 
at least or both forming side-access doors sealing hermetically in the 
locked position in order to form a working container. 
In addition it is further characterised in that the sump has at least a 
guillotine-type or similar inner door, so as to demarcate between the 
door(s) and the side-walls of the sump a set of independent containers 
with one for each working portal. 
With this, it is possible to machine large-volume components, producing 
various and small configurations, at a distance from each other, resulting 
in appreciably reduced machining-times. 
Using the spark-erosion process it is also possible to machine components 
just as on conventional machine-tools, with the additional advantage of 
grouping together the production from various machines, with the 
maintenance costs (space needed, cleaning filters, etc.) for a single 
machine.

Following the invention and the example shown here, the machine 
tool-structure, particularly a spark-erosion machine-tool, consists 
according to the invention of: 
a base (1); 
a sump or container (2) 
at least two carrier-portals (3) each bearing a header (4); 
one (or several) drive units (5) for moving the portals (3). 
Each portal (3) bears a header carrier (4) moving along axis O:X within the 
portal (3). 
Each header carrier (4) bears a header (40) with a corresponding 
electrode-carrier (41), the header (40) and the carrier electrode (41) 
moving along axis O:Z of the header carrier (4). 
Each portal (3) moves along axis O:Y in relation to the container (2), by 
means of the corresponding drive unit (5). The movement is independent for 
each portal (3); there are as many drive units (5) as there are portals 
(3), or a same drive unit (5) is able to move the portals (3) 
independently. 
The machine sump (2) arrangement itself consists of at least one of its 
side walls (21) forming a door, the other walls (20) remaining fixed. The 
assembly is fitted to the fixed framework (1) of the machine-tool. 
The side door (21), or each existing door comprises: 
means for opening/hermetically sealing in relation to the remainder of the 
machine-sump (20); 
means to ensure the mutual hermetic seal between the door (21) and the 
machine-sump (20) in the closed position. The said means are manual or 
automatic. 
Each door (21) is able to swing or move in a guided and linear manner, in 
ascending/descending manner or transversely between the two open and 
closed end positions. 
This arrangement of the side-doors (21) allowing them to be opened, 
facilitates the entrance/departure of the pallets bearing components for 
machining and machined components. 
An intermediate and detachable wall (22) is also provided to allow the use 
of the sump and consequently of the machine for two independent components 
requiring differing machining or treatment.