Cooperative Control of a Maglev Local Actuator with a Conventional EDM Machine for High Speed Electrical Discharge Machining

During the process of electrical discharge machining (EDM), the distance between a work-piece and an electrode, which are submerged in dielectric machining fluid, changes as material is being removed from the work-piece and the electrode. In order to maintain a suitable distance to the work-piece to achieve a constant electrical discharge, a cooperative control system, consisting of a maglev local actuator and a conventional EDM machine, re-positions the electrode precisely and speedily.