GB982122A - Purification of electrolyte used in electrolytic machining - Google Patents

Abstract

In electrolyte machining, the machining electrolyte which is fed to the machining work zone under pressure contains a foaming agent and a gaseous fluid is maintained under pressure in the work zone and is then passed to a reservoir where the electrolyte effervesces at reduced pressure so as to form a foam containing impurity particles such as matter eroded from the workpiece, and the foam is removed from the electrolyte surface. As shown, electrolyte from a reservoir 10 into which a foaming agent such as liquid or powdered soap is introduced at 12 is moved by a pump 14 in which also air is drawn along conduit 16 into the electrolyte and then optionally through a filter 24 to the enclosed work zone 28. The used electrolyte then passes through a constriction 34 to an open reservoir 32 containing perforated screen baffles 38 and the resultant foam overflows into a sump 36 while the clean electrolyte siphons back into the reservoir 10 where vertical baffles 42 retain any residual foam to avoid its recirculation by the pump. The foam in the reservoir 32 may alternatively be blown or raked away or a conveyer or vibrating inclined shoot may be provided for its removal. <PICT:0982122/C6-C7/1>