Abstract
This study deals with development of a new device which can machine long and curved holes. To optimize the shape and arrangement of water channels build in a mold, it is strongly required to establish a curved hole machining method. Therefore, the authors have developed two devices to machine curved holes with electrical discharge machining. The first one is mechatronics equipment which has an electrode, a coil spring, and wires. The second one is based on an in-pipe movable mechanism which has a flexible and long body that tiny wheels are attached to its circumference and an electrode to the top. These devices can achieve fabrication of curved holes and extension of their length, respectively. However, they were not able to fabricate complicatedly curved and long holes. The study aims at development of the in-pipe movable mechanism with controllability of its machining direction by combining two devices mentioned above. From the result of machining experiment with the prototype of the combined device, it is found that it can make a curved hole and will be able to fabricate long and complicated curved holes.
