Watton Electronics Arc-out spark erosion machine

[Andrew O’BrienParticipant @andrewobrien51807]

Has anybody got a detailed description or circuit diagram of this spark erosion machine Thanks for any help it could not find information on the internet

[Andrew O’BrienParticipant @andrewobrien51807]

[Andrew O’BrienParticipant @andrewobrien51807]

Can I correct a typing error the name of the company is WATTON ELECTRONICs repair to the machine would be easier if I had more technical information

[Ady1Participant @ady1]

A picture may help

[Clive SteerParticipant @clivesteer55943]

Andrew

Watton Electronics of 24 Hyde Way, Welwyn Garden City, AL7 3AR made a product called

"Arc-out" which appears to have been a simple spark erosion device possibly using a simple relaxation oscillator arrangement and probably a solenoid actuated electrode to break the arc.

I found a site dawa.de site that had a PDF of the sales pamphlet.

CS

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Well-found, Clive

**LINK**

http://eddy.dawa.de/Werkstatt/watton.pdf

MichaelG.

[Clive SteerParticipant @clivesteer55943]

Andrew.

Further study of the sales pamphlet suggests it has a motor feed for the electrode which may simply be a dc motor controlled by the arc voltage.

I may be able to work out the circuit if pictures of the internal are available as I've made similar devices in the past.

CS

[noel shelleyParticipant @noelshelley55608]

It looks like a simple circuit/unit , the leaflet puts me in the mind of a product of the 60s. There are 2 books on building EDMs available. Using the bits of both designs I liked I built a much more powerful unit that worked well. What is your problem ? Noel.

[Clive SteerParticipant @clivesteer55943]

From the pictures there appears to be a relay connected on the mains side of the transformer but the pictures don't show clearly what wires are connected to it. Also I can't see the relay coil which may be slugged to allow operation on AC. The relay may form part of a latching/protection circuit in the vent of a welded electrode.

I'm struggling to determine if the device is AC operated essentially oscillating at 50Hz or DC with some form of rectifier on the secondary side of the transformer which I can't see in any of the pictures.

Anyway I think it is rather like a 50Hz buzzer. The coils on the other assembly somehow retracting the electrode from the workpiece creating the spark. As the mains cycle goes through zero the retraction is released allowing the electrode to drop down and make contact with the workpiece and the process is repeated.

From the info the electrode appears to be a brass tube which allows water to flush arc debris from the gap by gravity feed from a header tank but there may also be a degree of pumping as the electrode vibrates.

I've made similar simple eroders but these have used DC but it will work with AC.

CS

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