An electrochemical machining tool assembly includes first and second tools that
are spaced apart from one another so that a workpiece can be located therebetween.
The assembly also includes a first ultrasonic transducer mounted in the first tool
and a second ultrasonic transducer mounted in the second tool. The electrochemical
machining process is monitored by generating ultrasonic waves with the first and
second ultrasonic transducers, and then detecting the arrival times, at the first
and second ultrasonic transducers, of certain reflections of the ultrasonic waves.
The detected arrival times are then used to calculate parameters such as the gap
sizes between the first and second tools and a workpiece situated therebetween
and the thickness of the workpiece.