two electrolyte delivery hoses originating from opposite sides of hydrostatic bearing cartridge 300 are utilized for electrolyte injection symmetry to electrode 324 electrolyte travels into electrode 324 via a channel through electrode 324 for use in a machining gap an electrolyte splash seal 308 is positioned to shield against any leakage of electrolyte to other parts of hydrostatic bearing cartridge 300 and to protect against any corrosion including anodic and chemical corrosion in an embodiment electrolyte splash seal 308 is situated below electrolyte inlet 312 and above upper hydrostatic bearing 316 the force of the electrolyte flowing from active region 526 displaces electrode 524 axially upward along z axis 532 and in some applications radially until equilibrium is reached with the opposing downward force 502 on electrode 524 the machining gap 520 is itself the critical orifice in an embodiment the critical orifice is in the range of 10 to 30 microns the pressure of the electrolyte p e mass flow of the electrolyte q e and downward force of the air cylinder f p ac are held constant and a desired cross sectional flow area within machining gap 520 is achieved electrode 524 is thereby positioned in its desired three dimensional orientation above work piece 522 the desired machining gap is repeatedly established by using the same predetermined forces during the manufacturing process of numerous work pieces without the need to make an external adjustment the ecm process is then executed by applying for a predetermined interval an electrical potential to work piece 522 and electrode 524 work piece 522 receiving the positive potential and electrode 524 serving as the.