PRODUCTION METHOD OF HONEYCOMB DIE-FORMING ELECTRICAL DISCHARGE MACHINING ELECTRODES AND PRODUCTION METHOD OF HONEYCOMB DIES

Abstract: When producing an electrical discharge machining electrode (3) for use in forming a honeycomb-making die, a plurality of grooves (4) are cut in an electrode material by a grinding wheel (1) formed with a reverse tapered shape in which the grinding width is gradually widened toward its periphery. Subsequent to the cutting of a groove, the grinding wheel and the electrode material are relatively moved by an integral number of pitches in a direction perpendicular to the grinding direction, and the grinding surface of the grinding wheel is dressed after a desired number of such pitch movements to narrow the grinding width. Thereby a plurality of projecting electrode portions (5) are formed between the electrode grooves and the thickness of the projecting electrode portions are controlled so as to increase continuously or stepwise.

Description: This invention relates to a method for the production of an electrical discharge machining electrode for forming a honeycomb die and to a method for the production of a honeycomb die. Specifically, but not exclusively, it is concerned with a production method of an electrical discharge machining electrode suitable for use in forming an extruding die for forming a honeycomb structure (hereinafter referred to as "honeycomb die"), in which an electrical discharge machining electrode for cutting forming grooves in the honeycomb die by electrical discharge machining, the dimensions in width of said forming grooves being controlled so as to become greater continuously or stepwise from its center toward the periphery, is produced with high accuracy and efficiency, and with a method for the production of a honeycomb die making use of the honeycomb die-forming electrical discharge machining electrode. In general, honeycomb structures, particularly, ceramic-made honeycomb structures have been widely used in various fields as carriers for catalysts useful for purifying exhaust gases from internal combustion engines and combustion furnaces for various kinds of industries, heat-accumulating members of heat exchangers and the like. Extruder-die assemblies have been employed in production of the honeycomb structures. Namely, each of the extruder-die assemblies is equipped with a honeycomb die, in which forming grooves are provided having a configuration corresponding to the profile of a honeycomb structure. A raw material is pressed in and extruded through the forming grooves of the honeycomb die, thereby forming the honeycomb structure. Highly accurate electrical discharge machining has been known to date as a means for machining the forming grooves of the above honeycomb die. When the forming grooves of the honeycomb die are machined by the electrical discharge machining, an electrical discharge machining electrode having a configuration corresponding to the forming grooves is required. Accordingly, in order to machine forming grooves in a honeycomb die, the width of said forming grooves becomes greater continuously or stepwise from the center toward the periphery by way of example. Thus, it is necessary to produce an electrical discharge machining electrode having a configuration corresponding to the forming grooves. It is not easy to produce the electrical discharge machining electrode having such a complex configuration with high accuracy and efficiency. For this reason, there has been a demand for the realization of a production method of an electrical discharge machining electrode for forming a honeycomb die, in which an electrical discharge machining electrode capable of machining forming grooves in the honeycomb die, the dimensions in width of said forming grooves becoming greater continuously or stepwise from the center toward the periphery, as described above, is successfully produced with high accuracy and efficiency. Needless to say, there has also been a demand for the production of the honeycomb die by making use of the electrical discharge machining electrode thus produced with high precision. In one aspect the present invention can provide a method for the production of an electrical discharge machining electrode for forming a honeycomb die, as set out in claim 1. In another aspect, the invention can provide a method for the production of a honeycomb die by electrical discharge machining, using an electrode formed by the method of claim 1. Features and advantages available with the invention will be readily appreciated from the embodiments of this invention which will be described subsequently in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the accompanying drawings: FIG. 1 is an explanatory illustration, in cross section, of a grinding wheel suitable for use in forming or machining an electrical discharge machining electrode according to this invention; FIG. 2 is an explanatory illustration showing a production method of an electrical discharge machining electrode for forming a honeycomb die according to this invention; FIG. 3 is an explanatory illustration showing one embodiment of an electrical discharge machining electrode produced in accordance with a production method of this invention; FIG. 4 is an explanatory illustration showing another embodiment of an electrical discharge machining electrode produced in accordance with the production method of this invention; FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the electrical discharge machining electrode illustrated in FIG. 3; FIG. 6 is an explanatory illustration showing one embodiment of a honeycomb die produced in accordance with a production method of this invention; FIG. 7 is an explanatory illustration showing another embodiment of a honeycomb die produced in accordance with the production method of this invention; FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the honeycomb die illustrated in FIG. 6. FIG. 1 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a grinding wheel 1 employed in the production method of the honeycomb die-forming electrical discharge machining electrodes according to this invention. Namely, the grinding wheel 1 is formed into a reverse tapered shape in which the grinding width in cross section is gradually widened toward its peripheral direction. Therefore, it is possible to control the grinding width W (distance between grinding edges 2' and 2') of a grinding surface 2 to a desired distance by dressing the grinding surface 2. The production method of the electrodes in this invention, which is conducted by making use of the above grinding wheel 1, will hereinafter be described with reference to FIG. 2 through FIG. 4. In the production method of electrodes in this invention, as is illustrated in FIG. 2, the grinding wheel 1 is relatively moves in a depth direction in the drawing on an electrode material 3 to form a electrode groove portion 4. A plurality of parallel electrode groove portions 4 having a predetermined depth are similarly cut while the grinding wheel 1 is moved repeatedly and in parallel with the thus-formed electrode groove portion 4 at a desired pitch P, whereby projecting electrode portions 5 are formed between their corresponding electrode groove portions 4. Incidentally, the pitch P between adjacent electrode groove portions 4 and respective thicknesses t₀, t₁, t₂ ... of the projecting electrode portions 5 have been predetermined. Desired electrode 6 (FIG. 3) and electrode 7 (FIG. 4) can hence be produced by controlling a grinding width W of the grinding surface 2 in the grinding wheel 1 by dressing, and by parallel-moving the grinding wheel 1 at a pitch P. In FIG. 3, although respective projecting electrode portions 5 are diagrammatically indicated by solid lines, the projecting electrode portion 5(0) situated at the center has a thickness of t₀ as is illustrated in FIG. 2. Similarly, the projecting electrodes 5(1) and 5(-1), the projecting electrodes 5(2) and 5(-2), ..., and the projecting electrodes 5(n) and 5(-n) have thicknesses of t₁, t₂, ..., t n respectively. The V-shaped line A drawn in the lower part of FIG. 3 indicates changes of the thicknesses t of the projecting electrode portions 5(0) through 5(n) and 5(-n). Namely, the electrode 6 is formed in such a manner that supposing the thickness of the projecting electrode portion 5(0) situated at the center is t₀, the thicknesses t of the projecting electrode portions 5 become greater continuously toward X and -X directions. Similarly, the electrode 7 depicted in FIG. 4, as is indicated by a step-like line B drawn in the lower part of FIG. 4, is formed in such a manner that supposing the thickness of the projecting electrode portion 5(0) situated at the center is t₀, the thicknesses t of the projecting electrode portions 5 become greater stepwise toward X and -X directions. The production method of the electrode 6 illustrated in FIG. 3 will hereinafter be described specifically with reference to FIG. 2. In FIG. 2, the grinding surface 2 of a grinding wheel 1 illustrated in FIG. 1 is dressed to control a grinding width W to W₁ so as to cut a groove, thereby forming a electrode groove portion 4(1). Incidentally, the grinding width W₁ is supposed to be (P - t₀). The grinding wheel 1 is then moved by a distance P in a -X direction to cut a groove so as to form a electrode groove portion 4(-1). As a result, a projecting electrode portion 5(0) having a thickness of t₀ is formed between the electrode groove portions 4(1) and 4(-1). The grinding width W is then changed from W₁ to W₂ by dressing and at the same time, the grinding wheel 1 is moved by a distance P in the -X direction. A groove is then cut to form a electrode groove portion 4(-2), whereby a projecting electrode portion 5(-1) having a thickness of t₁ is formed between the electrode groove portion 4(-2) and the electrode groove portions 4(-1). By the way, supposing (t₁ - t₀) is Δt, the grinding width W₂ is (W₁ - 2xΔt). The grinding wheel 1 is then moved by a distance 3P in an X direction. A groove is cut to form a electrode groove portion 4(2). As a result, a projecting electrode portion 5(1) having a thickness of t₁ is formed between the electrode groove portions 4(1) and the electrode groove portion 4(2). Thereafter, the grinding surface 2 of the grinding wheel 1 is dressed in order in the same manner as described above to cut grooves of electrode groove portions 4(3), 4(-3), ..., thereby forming projecting electrode portions 5(2), 5(-2), ... As a result, an electrode 6 having a shape of comb's teeth in cross section in the X - (-X) direction, as illustrated in FIG. 2, and depicted in FIG. 3 is produced. Incidentally, in the description of the production process of the above electrode 6, the description has been given as moving the grinding wheel 1. However, the electrode material 3 may be caused to move. A perspective view of the electrode 6 thus produced is shown in FIG. 5. The production method of an electrode 7 illustrated in FIG. 4 is basically the same as that of the electrode 6. Namely, in the production of the electrode 6, the dressing of the grinding wheel 1 has been conducted every other groove cutting, i.e., formation of every two electrode groove portions. In the production of the electrode 7, the dressing may however be conducted at every fourth or sixth groove cutting, i.e., formation of every four or six electrode groove portions. As a result, the electrode 7, as is indicated by a step-like line B drawn in the lower part of FIG. 4, is formed in such a manner that supposing the thickness of the projecting electrode portion 5(0) situated at the center is t₀, the thicknesses t of the projecting electrode portions 5 become greater stepwise toward X and -X directions. Incidentally, in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4, the thicknesses t of the projecting electrode portions 5 have been changed at three steps. However, such changes are not limited thereto. It is also possible to change the thicknesses t of the projecting electrode portions at every two steps, or four steps or more. The production method of honeycomb dies according to this invention, in which forming grooves for forming honeycomb structures are cut by electrical discharge machining making separate use of the electrodes 6 and 7, is then described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7. A honeycomb die 8 illustrated in FIG. 6 has forming grooves 10 cut by electrical discharge machining making use of the electrode 6. The honeycomb die 8 is formed in the following manner. Namely, after forming grooves 10-1 in an X - (-X) direction by way of example are cut by the electrical discharge machining making use of the electrode 6, forming grooves 10-2 in a Y - (-Y) direction are cut in a condition that the electrode 6 has been rotated by 90°. Since the electrode 6 has been formed in such a manner that supposing the thickness of the projecting electrode portion 5(0) situated at the center is t₀, the thicknesses t of the projecting electrode portions 5 become greater continuously toward X and -X directions, the groove widths V of the forming grooves 10 in the honeycomb die 8, as is indicated by a V-shaped line A drawn in the lower part of FIG. 6, are defined in such a manner that they correspond respectively to the thicknesses t₀, ..., and t n and t n of the projecting electrode portions 5(0), ..., and 5(n) and 5(-n) in the electrode 6, and become greater continuously toward X and -X directions and Y and -Y directions, supposing the groove width of the forming groove 10 situated at the center is V₀. A perspective view of the honeycomb die 8 thus produced is shown in FIG. 8. A honeycomb die 9 illustrated in FIG. 7 has forming grooves 10 cut by electrical discharge machining making use of the electrode 7. The honeycomb die 9 is formed in the following manner. Namely, after forming grooves 10-1 in an X - (-X) direction by way of example are cut by the electrical discharge machining making use of the electrode 7, forming grooves 10-2 in a Y - (-Y) direction are cut in a condition that the electrode 7 has been rotated by 90°. Since the electrode 7 has been formed in such a manner that supposing the thickness of the projecting electrode portion 5(0) situated at the center is t₀, the thicknesses t of the projecting electrode portions 5 become greater stepwise toward X and -X directions, the groove widths V of the forming grooves 10 in the honeycomb die 9, as is indicated by a step-like line B drawn in the lower part of FIG. 7, are defined in such a manner that they correspond respectively to the thicknesses t₀, ..., and t n and t n of the projecting electrode portions 5(0), ..., and 5(n) and 5(-n) in the electrode 7, and become greater stepwise toward X and -X directions and Y and -Y directions, supposing the groove width of the forming groove 10 situated at the center is V₀. Incidentally, in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 7, the groove widths V of the forming grooves 10 have been changed at three steps. However, such changes are not limited thereto. It is also possible to provide a honeycomb die, wherein the groove widths V of the forming grooves have been changed at every two steps, or four steps or more when using an electrode in which the thicknesses t of the projecting electrode portions 5 in the electrode 7 have been changed at every two steps, or four steps or more. Although the production method of the honeycomb dies in this invention has been described above, illustrative honeycomb dies actually produced in accordance with the embodiments of the production method of honeycomb dies in this invention will hereinafter be described. Namely, in the embodiment corresponding to the honeycomb die 8, the honeycomb die produced has an external dimension ⊘ of 140 mm, a pitch P between forming grooves of 1.4 mm, V₀ of 290 µm and V n of 310 µm in FIG. 6. On the other hand, in the embodiment corresponding to the honeycomb die 9, the honeycomb die produced has an external dimension ⊘ of 140 mm, a pitch P between forming grooves of 1.4 mm, V₀ of 290 µm, v i of 300 µm and V n of 310 µm in FIG. 7. As has been described above, according to this invention, there can be provided a method for the production of electrical discharge machining electrodes suitable for use in forming extruding dies for forming honeycomb structures, in which an electrical discharge machining electrode for cutting forming grooves in a honeycomb die by electrical discharge machining, the dimensions in width of said forming grooves being controlled so as to become greater continuously or stepwise toward its periphery from the center, is successfully produced with high accuracy and efficiency, and a method for the production of honeycomb dies by making use of the honeycomb die-forming electrical discharge machining electrodes is also provided.

Claims: A method for the production of an electrical discharge machining electrode (3) for forming a honeycomb die, said electrode (3) being provided with a plurality of electrode groove portions (4) formed by cutting parallel grooves in an electrode material and with a plurality of parallel projecting electrode portions (5) corresponding to shaping grooves of the honeycomb die and formed between the corresponding electrode groove portions (4), characterised by the steps of: cutting said parallel grooves by means of a grinding wheel (1) having a reverse tapered shape in which the grinding width (w) gradually widens towards its periphery direction; and progressively dressing said grinding wheel (1) during the cutting of said parallel grooves. A method according to claim 1 wherein said parallel grooves are cut by said grinding wheel (1) so that said projecting electrode portions (5) have increasing width in the direction from a center portion of said electrode (3) to an outer portion thereof. A method according to claim 1 wherein a plurality of said parallel grooves are cut in the electrode material by moving the grinding wheel (1) relative to the electrode material so as to cut each groove in the electrode material, and relatively moving the grinding wheel (1) and the electrode material by a desired pitch (P) in a direction perpendicular to the grinding direction to cut the adjacent groove, and dressing the grinding surface of the grinding wheel to narrow the grinding width after each completion of a predetermined number of said pitch movements of the grinding wheel and the electrode material towards both of two outer portions of said electrode material from a center portion thereof, whereby a plurality of said electrode groove portions (5) are formed, having decreasing width with increasing distance from said center portion. A method for the production of a honeycomb die by electrical discharge machining, wherein an electrode produced by a method according to any one of claims 1 to 3 is employed to cut shaping grooves in die-forming material. A method according to claim 4 comprising cutting a first set of said shaping grooves in said die-forming material by means of said electrode and thereafter cutting a second set of shaping grooves perpendicularly intersecting said first set of grooves by means of said electrode after relative rotation of said electrode and said die-forming material by 90°.

Inventors: FUTAMURA, SHOJI, HATTORI, ISAO, 30, AZA-INOWARI, FUTAMURA, SHOJI, C/O INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
Applicants: INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY PRECISION ELECTRICAL DISCHARGE WORKS, NGK INSULATORS, LTD.
Application year: 1990
Main classification: B23H9
IPC codes: B32B3, B23H1, B24B19, B23H7, B23H9, B28B3