Probability of precision micro-machining of insulating Si3N4 ceramics by EDM

Electrical discharge machining (EDM) is used as a precision machining method for the electrically conductive hard materials with a soft electrode material. But recently we succeeded to machine on insulating material by EDM. The technology is named as an assisting electrode method. The EDMed surface is covered with the electrical conductive layer during discharge. The layer holds the electrical conductivity during discharge. For micro-EDM, the wear of tool electrode becomes lager ratio than the normal machining. So the micro-machining is extremely difficult to get the precision sample.

In this paper to obtain a fine and precise ceramics sample, some trials were carried out considering the EDM conditions, tool electrodes material and assisting electrode materials. Insulating Si₃N₄ ceramics were used for workpiece. The machining properties were estimated by the removal rate and tool wear ratio. To confirm the change of micro-machining process, the discharge waveforms were observed. The micro-machining of the Ø0.05 mm hole could be machined with the commercial sinking electrical discharge machine.     

石墨电极电火花加工非导电陶瓷SiO2实验研究

以导电胶涂层作为辅助电极、石墨作为工具电极,用实验的方法考察了电火花加工非导电陶瓷SiO2的可行性;证明在正极性加工条件下,石墨电极能增强导电膜生成,提高加工稳定性;并给出了脉冲宽度、加工电流等电参数对加工速度、电极损耗及表面质量等工艺指标的影响规律,得出了一些有益的结论.     

High-speed dry electrical discharge machining

A novel high-speed dry electrical discharge machining (EDM) method was proposed in this study. Using this method, the material can be rapidly melted by extremely high discharge energy and flushed out of the discharge gap by high-pressure and high-speed air flow. The material removal rate (MRR) of dry EDM was significantly improved by the proposed method. The MRR of dry EDM is usually in tens mm³/min, whereas the MRR of the proposed method can be as high as 5162 mm³/min, which improves the MRR by 2nd to 3rd order of magnitude. Investigation was conducted systemically. The influences of work piece polarity, discharge current, pulse duration time, gas pressure, and electrode rotation speed on machining performance were studied. The machining mechanism of this method was thoroughly analyzed. Moreover, the re-solidified layer, surface morphology, elementary composition, and phase of AISI 304 stainless steel for high-speed dry EDM were also investigated. Theoretical and technical foundations were laid for the industry application of dry EDM.     

硅电极电火花表面改性的研究

以工业纯硅为电极,通过电火花放电对试样进行表面改性处理.电火花设备型号为EDM7125,工作液为普通煤油,电极材料含硅99.6%,工件材料为45钢和球铁.采用扫描电镜及金相显微镜对试样表面形态进行了研究,对试样表面进行了能谱分析,对试样进行了耐蚀及表层结合强度等试验.结果表明:试样加工后表面形成一层含硅超过16%的合金层.电火花加工球铁石墨基本未脱落,但石墨周围易产生或扩展显微裂纹.高硅层结合强度非常高,进行永久变形时,无剥离和裂纹产生.而且,经电火花加工过的试样耐蚀性得到极大提高.另外,电火花加工,当参数合理时,可达到粉末混入加工的目的,试样可获得好的表面质量.     

绝缘性陶瓷电火花加工中生成导电膜的特性分析

采用辅助电极法，在设定加工条件下对绝缘性陶瓷材料Si3N4进行了电火花加工实验，分析了加工中生成导电膜的原因，研究了加工条件、加工深度与生成导电膜的厚度、电阻等特性的关系，指出了加工深度对生成导电膜的影响较大，且加工深度越深，生成导电膜厚度越厚、电阻越小。     

Compound machining of titanium alloy by super high speed EDM milling and arc machining

A novel compound machining of titanium alloy (Ti6Al4V) by super high speed electrical discharge machining (EDM) milling and arc machining was proposed in this paper. The power supply consisted of a pulse generator and a DC power source which were isolated from each other. A rotating pipe graphite electrode was connected to the negative pole of the power supply. The plasma channel was able to deionize, and maximum material removal rate (MRR) reached 21,494 mm³/min with a relative electrode wear ratio (REWR) of 1.7% because of high current and efficient flushing. Compared with traditional EDM, the compound machining achieved a significantly higher MRR but a similar REWR. To investigate the characteristics of the compound machining, the effects of electrode polarity, peak voltage, peak current, and flushing pressure on the performance of the process, including its MRR, REWR, and radius of overcut (ROC), were determined. In addition, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and microhardness analysis were conducted. Result shows that the proposed method can machine difficult-to-machine materials efficiently.     

送电距离对绝缘陶瓷电火花加工生成导电膜特性的影响

采用辅助电极法，在设定加工条件下，对绝缘陶瓷材料Si3N4进行了电火花加工实验．研究了送电距离（指金属夹具与被加工位置的最近距离）对生成导电膜的厚度、电阻等特性的影响，得出了送电距离越远，生成的导电膜越薄、电阻越大及加工速度越小的结论。     

Optimization of machining parameters in magnetic force assisted EDM based on Taguchi method

A versatile process of electrical discharge machining (EDM) using magnetic force assisted standard EDM machine has been developed. The effects of magnetic force on EDM machining characteristics were explored. Moreover, this work adopted an L18 orthogonal array based on Taguchi method to conduct a series of experiments, and statistically evaluated the experimental data by analysis of variance (ANOVA). The main machining parameters such as machining polarity (P), peak current (I_p), pulse duration (τ_p), high-voltage auxiliary current (I_H), no-load voltage (V) and servo reference voltage (S_v) were chosen to determine the EDM machining characteristics such as material removal rate (MRR) and surface roughness (SR). The benefits of magnetic force assisted EDM were confirmed from the analysis of discharge waveforms and from the micrograph observation of surface integrity. The experimental results show that the magnetic force assisted EDM has a higher MRR, a lower relative electrode wear ratio (REWR), and a smaller SR as compared with standard EDM. In addition, the significant machining parameters, and the optimal combination levels of machining parameters associated with MRR as well as SR were also drawn. Moreover, the contribution for expelling machining debris using the magnetic force assisted EDM would be proven to attain a high efficiency and high quality of surface integrity to meet the demand of modern industrial applications.     

Studies on the material removal rate of two-phase eutectic alloys by EDM process

Two types of permanent mould materials, spheroidal graphite (SG) cast iron and Al-Si alloy with various compositions, were selected to study the effect of heterogeneous second phase on material removal rate (MRR) by the electro-discharge machining (EDM) process. Fe-Si alloy and Al-1wt%Si alloy with a mainly single-phase structure were also prepared for comparison.

Experimental results indicated that the amount and morphology of second phase particles significantly influence the material removal rate (MMR). This is closely related to ridge density and discharge density during the EDM process.

The EDMed surface of the specimens had a continuously ridged appearance and the ridge density increases with higher amount of second phase. Worthy of notice is that the graphite particles are embedded in the troughs on the EDMed surface of SG cast iron, while the eutectic silicon particles are located on the ridge region in the case of Al-Si alloys.     

Study of electrical discharge grinding using metal matrix composite electrodes

An investigation was made into the combined technologies of electrical discharge machining and grinding (EDMG). A metal matrix (Cu/SiC_p) electrode with a rotating device was made and employed to study the EDMG technology. It was found that 3–7 times the normal electrical discharge machining (EDM) material removal rate (MRR) could be achieved in EDMG under suitable conditions of electrode rotating speed, SiC_p particle size and current. This novel achievement is attributed to the fact that, under appropriate conditions, the hump-shaped melted material created by the EDM mechanism is vulnerable to attack by the grinding mechanism during the EDMG operation, greatly increasing the removal rate. Conversely, under inappropriate conditions, in which hump-shaped material solidifies prior to the non-conductive ceramic particle grinding, the above function becomes negligible and results in much lower MRR.     

Layer Generation Process on Work-piece in Electrical Discharge Machining

In recant years, surface modification of metals and machining of insulating ceramics by electrical discharge machining (EDM) have been successfully carried out. In surface modification by EDM with semi-sintered electrodes, worn substances in the gap region form the material source of the layer generated on the work-piece surface. In the machining of insulating ceramics by EDM, a crystallized carbon layer or carbide layer from the working oil covers the surface of the insulator. Increase in the thickness of the generated layer, however, tends to stop at a certain maximum value in both surface modification by EDM with semi-sintered electrodes and machining of insulating ceramics by EDM processes. In these machining operations, accretion and removal phenomena occur alternately. In this paper, the mechanisms of machining insulators and the accretion process are discussed considering the characteristics of the generated layers on the work-piece surface.     

Some Considerations to Machining Characteristics of Insulating Ceramics-Towards Practical Use in Industry-

Machining of insulating ceramics can be realized in EDM by using the assisting electrode method. After a tool electrode cuts through the assisting electrode, a carbon layer covers the ceramics' surface during EDM. This carbon layer, formed from the decomposition of the hydrocarbon working oil, enhances the ceramics surface's conductivity. In this paper, machining phenomena of insulating ceramics are considered towards practical use in industry. Several kinds of insulating ceramics and assisting electrode materials are investigated under considerations of various machining characteristics; and high speed machining in W-EDM is carried out under conditions of lower tension than usual.     

Effect of machining fluid on the process performance of electric discharge milling of insulating Al2O3 ceramic

Wire electric discharge machining (WEDM) and electrical discharge machining (EDM) promise to be effective and economical techniques for the production of tools and parts from conducting ceramic blanks. However, the manufacturing of insulating ceramic blanks with these processes is a long and costly process. This paper presents a new process of machining insulating ceramics using electrical discharge (ED) milling. ED milling uses a thin copper sheet fed to the tool electrode along the surface of the workpiece as the assisting electrode and uses a water-based emulsion as the machining fluid. This process is able to effectively machine a large surface area on insulating ceramics. Machining fluid is a primary factor that affects the material removal rate and surface quality of the ED milling. The effects of emulsion concentration, NaNO₃ concentration, polyvinyl alcohol concentration and flow velocity of the machining fluid on the process performance have been investigated.     

EDM performance of Cr/Cu-based composite electrodes

Electrode materials for electrical discharge machining (EDM) are usually graphite, copper and copper alloys because these materials have high melting temperature, and excellent electrical and thermal conductivity. The electrodes made by using powder metallurgy technology from special powders have been used to modify EDM surfaces in recent years, to improve wear and corrosion resistance. However, electrodes are normally fabricated at high temperatures and pressures, such that fabrication is expensive. This paper proposes a new method of blending the copper powders contained resin with chromium powders to form tool electrodes. Such electrodes are made at low pressure (20 MPa) and temperature (200 °C) in a hot mounting machine. The results showed that using such electrodes facilitated the formation of a modified surface layer on the work piece after EDM, with remarkable corrosion resistant properties. The optimal mixing ratio, appropriate pressure, and proper machining parameters (such as polarity, peak current, and pulse duration) were used to investigate the effect of the material removal rate (MRR), electrode wear rate (EWR), surface roughness, and thickness of the recast layer on the usability of these electrodes. According to the experimental results, a mixing ratio of Cu–0wt%Cr and a sinter pressure of 20 MPa obtained an excellent MRR. Moreover, this work also reveals that the composite electrodes obtained a higher MRR than Cu metal electrodes; the recast layer was thinner and fewer cracks were present on the machined surface. Furthermore, the Cr elements in the composite electrode migrated to the work piece, resulting in good corrosion resistance of the machined surface after EDM.     

Experimental characterization of material removal in dry electrical discharge drilling

Dry electrical discharge machining is one of the novel EDM variants, which uses gas as dielectric fluid. Experimental characterization of material removal in dry electrical discharge drilling technique is presented in this paper. It is based on six-factor, three-level experiment using L₂₇ orthogonal array. All the experiments were performed in a ‘quasi-explosion’ mode by controlling pulse ‘off-time’ so as to maximize the material removal rate (MRR). Furthermore, an enclosure was provided around the electrodes with the aim to create a back pressure thereby restricting expansion of the plasma in the dry EDM process. The main response variables analyzed in this work were MRR, tool wear rate (TWR), oversize and compositional variation across the machined cross-sections. Statistical analysis of the results show that discharge current (I), gap voltage (V) and rotational speed (N) significantly influence MRR. TWR was found close to zero in most of the experiments. A predominant deposition of melted and eroded work material on the electrode surface instead of tool wear was evident. Compositional variation in the machined surface has been analyzed using EDAX; it showed migration of tool and shielding material into the work material. The study also analyzed erosion characteristics of a single-discharge in the dry EDM process vis-á-vis the conventional liquid dielectric EDM. It was observed that at low discharge energies, single-discharge in dry EDM could give larger MRR and crater radius as compared to that of the conventional liquid dielectric EDM.     

田口-灰关联法应用于Inconel 718微放电铣削参数最佳化(英文)

应用田口-灰关联法对Inconel 718微放电铣削多重质量特性如电极消耗率、材料去除率和扩口量进行最佳化,分析放电电流、脉冲时间、休止时间和极间间隙对加工Inconel 718之电极消耗率、材料去除率和扩口量的影响。实验结果表明,以最佳微放电铣削参数进行加工,其电极消耗率由5.6×10-9mm3/min降低到5.2×10-9mm3/min,材料去除率由0.47×10-8mm3/min增加到1.68×10-8mm3/min,扩口量由1.27μm降低到1.19μm。研究结果显示,应用田口-灰关联法,可以改善微放电铣削多重质量特性。     

Optimizing the EDM hole-drilling strain gage method for the measurement of residual stress

When using the electrical discharge machining (EDM) hole-drilling strain gage method to measure the residual stress within a component, the metallurgical transformation layer formed on the wall of the EDMed hole induces an extra stress, which can lead to significant measurement errors. Accordingly, the objective of the present work was to explore and determine the optimal EDM parameters which reduce the thickness of the metallurgical transformation layer and therefore minimize the magnitude of the hole-drilling induced stress. The experimental results demonstrated that by maintaining the relative stability coefficient of the discharge duty ratio at a value greater than 0.99, the induced stress emerged in EDM hole-drilling measurement can be reduced substantially and becomes insensitive to the parameters of the pulse current and pulse-on duration. Further investigations revealed that when the residual stress is to be measured accurately, using a hollow electrode instead of the usual solid electrode and the following parameters are recommended. The pulse current and pulse-on duration are in the ranges of 4–12 A and 9–23 μs, respectively, and the pulse-off duration needs to be longer than the value required to ensure that the relative stability coefficient of the discharge duty ratio exceeds 0.99.     

镍基高温合金Inconel718的超高效电火花电弧复合加工

提出了一种超高效电火花电孤复合铣削镍基高温合金Ineonel718的加工方法．构建了一种新型大功率电源,主要由高压脉冲电源和低压大功率直流电源组成。在冲液和电极旋转的作用下得到了非连续电弧,材料去除率可达13421mm3／min,相对电极损耗率可达1．71％。进行了复合加工和电火花加工的对比实验研究,分析了电极转速对材料去除率和相对电极损耗率的影响,并对加工表面特性进行了研究。     

Surface integrity and material removal mechanisms associated with the EDM of Al2O3 ceramic composite

Electric discharge machining (EDM) has been proven as an alternate process for machining complex and intricate shapes from the conductive ceramic composites. The performance and reliability of electrical discharge machined ceramic composite components are influenced by strength degradation due to EDM-induced damage. The success of electric discharge machined components in real applications relies on the understanding of material removal mechanisms and the relationship between the EDM parameters and formation of surface and subsurface damages. This paper presents a detailed investigation of machining characteristics, surface integrity and material removal mechanisms of advanced ceramic composite Al₂O₃–SiC_w–TiC with EDM. The surface and subsurface damages have also been assessed and characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results provide valuable insight into the dependence of damage and the mechanisms of material removal on EDM conditions.     

Electrical discharge machining of Ti6Al4V with a bundled electrode

The aim of this study is to investigate an efficient Ti6Al4V electrical discharge machining (EDM) process with a bundled die-sinking electrode. The feasibility of machining Ti6Al4V with a bundled electrode was studied and its effect on EDM performance was compared experimentally using a solid die-sinking electrode. The simulation results explain the high performance of the EDM process with a bundled electrode by through the use of multi-hole inner flushing to efficiently remove molten material from the inter-electrode gap and through the improved ability to apply a higher peak current. A 3-factor, 3-level experimental design was used to study the relationships between 2 machining performance parameters (material removal rate: MRR, tool wear ratio: TWR) and 3 machining parameters (fluid flow rate, peak current and pulse duration). The main effects and influences of the 2-factor interactions of these parameters on the performances of the EDM process with the bundled electrode are discussed.