Corning Incorporated
Apparatus and method for making extrusion dies

Abstract:

An apparatus and method to machine cavities in die blanks having little to no taper. The apparatus includes an electrode tool (200) including intersecting walls coated with electrically insulating coating (258), an erosion face (204) comprising a cross section of the walls exposed through the electrically insulating coating, and a channel formed by the walls to supply electrolyte to the erosion face, the channels defined by interior surfaces of the walls and having an opening formed by edges of the erosion face. The method includes pulsed electrochemical machining a work piece with the electrode tool.