US 12,459,044 B2
Workholding for pulsed electrochemical machining
Rusty M. Garner, Indianapolis, IN (US); Monica Sy Munoz, Indianapolis, IN (US); Damon Ward, Indianapolis, IN (US); and Anthony F. Allen, Indianapolis, IN (US)
Assigned to Rolls-Royce Corporation, Indianapolis, IN (US)
Filed by Rolls-Royce Corporation, Indianapolis, IN (US)
Filed on Apr. 28, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/661,246.
Prior Publication US 2023/0347435 A1, Nov. 2, 2023
Int. Cl. B23H 11/00 (2006.01); B23H 3/10 (2006.01); B23H 9/10 (2006.01)
CPC B23H 11/003 (2013.01) [B23H 3/10 (2013.01); B23H 9/10 (2013.01); B23H 2300/10 (2013.01)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A pulsed electrochemical machining (pECM) system, comprising:
a pECM tool comprising a tool body defining a tool axis, the tool body comprising one or more electrodes, each of the one or more electrodes comprising an electrically conductive material and defining a working surface at a distal end of the tool axis configured to face a working surface of a workpiece;
a pulsing power supply configured to output pulses of electrical energy via the one or more electrodes;
an enclosure system configured to hold the workpiece, wherein the enclosure system comprises:
a first clamp configured to grip a first end of the workpiece;
a second clamp configured to grip a second end of the workpiece; and
a backside support in physical contact with and configured to support a span of a non-working surface of the workpiece between the first end and the second end, wherein the backside support comprises:
a plurality of height adjustable pins that each support a portion of the span.