Research on the cathode design and experiments of electrochemical machining a closed impeller internal flow channel

In order to improve the electrochemical machining (ECM) precision and efficiency of a closed impeller internal flow channel, the internal flow channel cathode shape and structure were optimized by gap flow field simulation. Firstly, the theoretical model and three-dimensional gap flow field simulation geometric model were set up. Next, the inter-electrode gap flow field simulation results were draw from the streamline, velocity, and pressure cloud picture. Secondly, the cathode and the frock clamp were designed according to the simulation results. Finally, the verification experiment was carried out to evaluate the cathode structure and the ECM process parameters, and the experimental results were consistent with the simulation results. The whole process is stable and no short-circuit phenomenon with the forward flow field machining pattern. The results show that the method of gap flow field simulation-assisted ECM cathode design is useful and economical for machining closed impeller internal flow channel.     

Flow field design and experimental investigation of electrochemical machining on blisk cascade passage

Electrochemical machining (ECM) provides an economical and effective way for machining heat-resistant, high-strength materials into complex shapes that are difficult to machine using conventional methods. It has been applied in several industries, especially aerospace, to manufacture blisk. The electrolyte flow field is a critical factor in ECM process stability and precision. To improve the process stability and the efficiency of blisk cascade passages, ECM with a radial feeding electrode, a rational electrolyte flow mode for electrochemical machining called “Π shape flow mode”, is discussed in the paper. Three flow field models are described separately in this report: traditional lateral flow mode, positive flow mode and Π-shaped flow mode, and the electrolyte velocity and pressure distribution vectors for each flow mode are calculated by means of a finite element fluid analysis method. The simulation results show that the electrolyte flow is more uniform with the Π-shaped flow mode. The deformation of the cathode, which is caused by the pressure difference, is also analysed in this report. The cascade passage ECM with a radial feeding electrode was experimentally tested out to evaluate the rationality of the flow field, and the fluctuation of current during the process was less than 1 %, which means that the process that uses the Π-shaped flow mode is stable. The feeding velocity of the cathode with the Π-shaped flow mode is approximately 70 % higher than that with the other two flow modes, and the incidences of short circuiting are obviously decreased. The surface roughness of the blisk hub is only 0.15 μm, and the machining error of the hub is less than 0.1 mm. The results demonstrate that using the Π-shaped flow mode can enhance the quality, stability and efficiency of blisk cascade passage ECM.     

Optimal design of the sheet cathode using W-shaped electrolyte flow mode in ECM

Electrochemical machining (ECM) is an important non-conventional manufacture technology for machining workpieces with complex and thin structures. In this study, ECM is used to machine the blisk. Because the channel between two blades is narrow, the cathode must use the thin-sheet structure. In the ECM process, the cathode will bear electrolyte pressure which can cause deformation. The cathode deformation has negative influence on the machining quality and process stability. To minimize the deformation, the optimization treatment of the cathode thickness is carried out and a new electrolyte flow mode, W-shaped flow mode, is adopted to weaken the pressure. The corresponding computer simulation is applied, and the results show that the cathode deformation decreases by 17.6% and 28% by taking the above-mentioned two measures. It indicates that the new thin-sheet cathode presented in this paper is useful and the new flow mode is effective in ECM. Furthermore, the experiments are conducted using the optimal thickness electrode and W-shaped flow mode to verify the machining effects. Then the corresponding experiment is carried out, and the result shows that the optimal treatments to reduce the cathode deformation have remarkable effects.     

Utilization of flow field simulations for cathode design in electrochemical machining of aerospace engine blisk channels

Electrochemical machining (ECM) cathode flow field design is crucial to machining aerospace engine blisk channels. In order to reduce the cathode design cycle and cost in machining, 3D cathodes and flow field simulation model were developed to facilitate analysis the flow fields in reversed flow patterns. The electrolyte flow line was determined by the distributions of electrolyte pressure, the diameter of the back orifice, and the areas of the back orifices in locations A, B, and C. The simulation results were utilized to analyze the influence of the electrolyte flow line. To verify the accuracy of the simulation, the experiments were carried out. The simulation results were consistent with the experiment data. It indicates that electrolyte flow field simulation is an effective method to optimize cathode design. Utilizing this methodology can improve the ECM cathode design efficiency and reduce cathode revision time.     

阵列微沟槽的场域离散脉冲电解加工技术

针对难加工金属材料表面阵列非贯穿型微沟槽的高效高质量加工难题,提出一种场域离散脉冲电解加工方法,所加工沟槽具有表面质量好、尺寸微小、槽数多、沟槽前后非贯穿的特点。使用绝缘栅栏隔板作为活动掩模板对各微沟槽加工区进行离散,同时遮蔽非加工区,从而实现流场隔离和非加工区电场屏蔽等效果,有效提高沟槽的加工稳定性、精度和一致性。通过设计专用夹具,对影响加工精度的关键因素进行了单因素工艺实验研究,并利用Comsol Multiphysics软件对电解加工的流场和电场进行了仿真分析。仿真和试验结果显示:场域离散加工方法的流场和电场都比传统的掩膜电解加工、电解转印加工好。成功地在1min内加工出9条宽538.76μm,深25.78μm,过切量为19.38μm的阵列微沟槽,证实了该方法的有效性。采用短加工时间、低脉冲电压幅值、高脉冲频率、小脉冲占空比等工艺参数,有利于提高沟槽的加工精度。通过场域离散电解加工技术,可以实现对非贯穿型微沟槽的高效率、高质量、低成本加工。     

渐开线内花键电解加工流场设计及工艺稳定性研究

为进一步提高渐开线内花键电解加工的工艺稳定性,基于数值分析方法探讨了电解液流动方式、工具阴极结构、电解液参数对流场分布的影响规律。数值分析结果表明：电解液侧向流动可以改善加工区入口处电解液流速分布均匀性;带有导流段的变截面阴极能够降低工件表面流速波动。针对工艺稳定性及加工定域性,开展了渐开线内花键电解加工试验研究。试验结果表明：进给速度可达2.1 mm/min以上,齿形误差可控制在0.015 mm以内,当加工深度为30 mm时,齿向误差在0.02 mm以内。该加工方式的效率及精度能够满足很多实际需求,具有明显的技术经济优势。     

电极平动式电解孔加工技术研究

从电解液流动角度对影响电解孔加工过程的主要原因进行了分析 ,提出利用电极平动来改善电解加工过程稳定性和提高加工精度 ,研制了电极平动系统 ,进行了加工试验。试验结果表明 ,电极的平动运动使得电解液分布变得均匀 ,消除了空穴和分离流等弊端 ,改进了过程稳定性 ,显著提高了加工精度。     

航空发动机复杂扭曲叶片分步电解加工研究

为实现复杂扭曲叶片在较小间隙下的稳定加工,提出了一种分步式电解加工的工艺方法,建立了复杂扭曲叶片小间隙(0.2 mm)和大间隙下(0.5 mm)扭曲流道的流道模型,采用有限元法进行了流场仿真研究,结果表明增加流道间隙可以解决流道中涡流和流场紊乱的问题。开展了复杂扭曲叶片小间隙连续式加工和分步式加工的试验研究。结果表明,采用小间隙连续式加工,当阴极进给至3.8 mm位置时,在叶片排气边靠近叶根流道扭曲处出现短路打火情况;而采用分步式加工方式能够实现加工的顺利进行。     

Micro wire electrochemical machining with an axial electrolyte flow

Micro wire electrochemical machining is a useful technique to produce high-aspect-ratio slit micro-structures. To improve processing stability, the axial electrolyte flow is adopted to renew electrolytes in the machining gap. A wire electrochemical micro-machining system with an axial electrolyte flow unit is developed. A mathematical model of tool feed rate is presented. To investigate the influence of electrolyte flow on processing stability and machining efficiency, comparative experiments were carried out. The influence of applied voltage and electrolyte concentration on machining accuracy is studied and the parameters such as electrolyte flow rate and applied voltage are optimized. Low initial machining gap is applied to decrease the stray current machining in the initial machining period. With the optimal parameters, the high-aspect-ratio micro spline and curved flow channel with the slit width of 160?μm have been fabricated on 5-mm-thick stainless steel (0Cr18Ni9). The width of the slit is uniform and the aspect ratio is 31.     

Cutting tool wear monitoring for reliability analysis using proportional hazards model

Electrochemical machining (ECM) is an important technology in machining difficult-to-cut materials and to shape free-form surfaces. In ECM, material is removed by electrochemical dissolution process, so part is machined without inducing residual stress and without tool wear. To improve technological factors in electrochemical machining, introduction of electrode tool ultrasonic vibration is justifiable. This method is called as ultrasonically assisted electrochemical machining (USAECM). In the first part of the paper, the analysis of electrolyte flow through the gap during USAECM has been presented. Based on computational fluid dynamic methods, multiphase, turbulent and unsteady electrolyte flow between anode and cathode (under assumption that cavitation phenomenon occurs) has been analysed. Discussion of the obtained solutions is the base to define optimal conditions of electrolyte flow in case of USAECM process. The second part of the paper is connected with experimental investigations of USAECM process. Classic experimental verification of obtained results in case of machining is extremely difficult, but influence of the ultrasonic vibration can be observed indirectly by changes in technological factors (in comparison to machining without ultrasonic intensification), whereas results of numerical simulation give possibility to understand reason and direction of technological factors changes. Investigations proved that ultrasonic vibrations change conditions of electrochemical dissolution and for optimal amplitude of vibration gives possibility to decrease the electrode polarisation.     

Investigation into the blade-formation process in electrochemical trepanning of diffusers

Abstract

Electrochemical trepanning process is an advanced manufacturing technology suitable for the machining of aero-engine components such as blades and diffusers. Tool-electrode (cathode) with special electrical isolation is adopted in the experimental investigations of this article using the electrochemical trepanning to produce a flow mode in which the electrolyte is supplied evenly to the blade being machined. The material removal model for these experiments is built based on the main technical principles of the ECM. For a better understanding of the electrochemical trepanning process during the machining of a blade, computer simulations were previously conducted aiming to observe the geometric shaping of the inter-electrode gap. The shaping process dynamic was analyzed and the distribution of electrical field intensity within the gap has been obtained under different feed rates of the tool-electrode relative to the blade. The profile of the cross-section of the blade was evaluated through the simulation, thus indicating that the blade’s taper angler decrease by increasing the feed rate. Also, practical experiments have been carried out, where the corresponding experimental results proved the simulation was effective. The best taper angle (0.70°) resulted from a machining condition in setting up a feed rate of 4?mm/min, whereas 3.72° was produced using 1?mm/min. Furthermore, a sector with multiple blades was electrochemically manufactured with the optimal set up of experimental parameters, being that the machining accuracy was about 0.12?mm. The application reflected that the method proposed in this article is appropriate and can be used for other complex structures in electrochemical trepanning.     

微尺度弧形群缝电解加工试验研究

精密电解加工是剃须刀网罩上微尺度阵列弧形群缝的首选加工工艺,为提高电解加工精度和加工过程稳定性,基于电场分析,优化了工具阴极凸起宽度、凸起高度关键尺寸的设计;基于对流场的数值分析,优化设计了电解液流道结构,优选了电解液进出口压力参数,消除了流道内可能存在的缺液区和流线交叉区域,并据此研制了专用工装夹具。通过工艺试验,研究了端面初始间隙、平均电压,进给速度等关键工艺参数对群缝缝宽的影响。在研制的数控电解加工设备上加工出了缝宽0.24 mm的弧形群缝,且群缝的曲线形状精度高,加工过程稳定,已能够满足批量生产的需要。     

窄缝精密电解加工的实验研究

通过在理论上分析窄缝电解加工中片状电极和丝状电极对加工间隙和流场分布的影响,提出了采用小直径丝状电极提高加工精度和改善加工稳定性的方法。文中分别进行了片状电极和丝状电极之间、不同直径丝状电极之间的窄缝电解加工对比试验。结果表明,小直径丝状电极可以减小电解液流过电极丝产生的涡流死水区,改善加工区内的电解液更新和电解产物的排除,提高加工精度和加工过程的稳定性。     

双缘板叶片电解加工流场优化与试验研究

针对在长叶身的双缘板叶片电解加工中由于流场的不均匀经常导致加工短路的问题,开展了叶片电解加工流场优化仿真分析,结果表明大量电解液从两侧缘板区域的间隙中被分流,造成叶身型面部分流量减小,导致产物不能及时排出间隙,容易引起加工短路。为了改善加工区域流场分布不均的情况,提出了一种基于液体密封的多向辅助供液流场方式,对提出的流场方式开展流场仿真分析,仿真结果表明加工区流场稳定性与一致性显著提升。开展了所提出流场的电解加工工艺试验,加工过程电流稳定,试件具有较好的加工效果,验证了提出流场方式的有效性。     

Effects of shielding coatings on the anode shaping process during counter-rotating electrochemical machining

Electrochemical machining (ECM) has been widely used in the aerospace, automotive, defense and medical industries for its many advantages over traditional machining methods. However, the machining accuracy in ECM is to a great extent limited by the stray corrosion of the unwanted material removal. Many attempts have been made to improve the ECM accuracy, such as the use of a pulse power, passivating electrolytes and auxiliary electrodes. However, they are sometimes insufficient for the reduction of the stray removal and have their limitations in many cases. To solve the stray corrosion problem in CRECM, insulating and conductive coatings are respectively used. The different implement processes of the two kinds of coatings are introduced. The effects of the two kinds of shielding coatings on the anode shaping process are investigated. Numerical simulations and experiments are conducted for the comparison of the two coatings. The simulation and experimental results show that both the two kinds of coatings are valid for the reduction of stray corrosion on the top surface of the convex structure. However, for insulating coating, the convex sidewall becomes concave when the height of the convex structure is over 1.26 mm. In addition, it is easy to peel off by the high-speed electrolyte. In contrast, the conductive coating has a strong adhesion, and can be well reserved during the whole machining process. The convex structure fabricated by using a conductive iron coating layer presents a favorable sidewall profile. It is concluded that the conductive coating is more effective for the improvement of the machining quality in CRECM. The proposed shielding coatings can also be employed to reduce the stray corrosion in other schemes of ECM.     

基于计算流体动力学软件的型腔电解流场仿真

针对型腔电解加工中阴极流场设计分析的难点,应用计算流体动力学软件对型腔电解加工的流场进行仿真,得到加工间隙中流场的速度和压力分布,用以指导阴极的流场改进设计。经工艺试验验证,仿真结果较准确反映了型腔电解加工过程中的流场压力和速度分布,从而可以显著减少阴极流场设计中试验修正的次数,实现高效、低成本设计工具阴极流场之目的。

     

钛合金曲面磨粒流加工扰流流道仿真与试验研究

针对具有复杂曲面的钛合金工件磨粒流抛光后表面粗糙度Ra不均匀问题,提出一种具有扰流结构的仿型约束加工流道。借助计算流体动力学（CFD）分析软件,结合SST k-ω湍流模型、离散相模型（DPM）和Oka冲蚀模型,仿真分析原始流道和5种不同扰流角度的扰流流道内磨粒流动力学特性。数值模拟结果表明：扰流流场中的磨粒流相较于原始流场在工件表面具有更大的湍流动能、动压力和冲蚀速率,其中扰流角度为30°时冲蚀均匀性较好。基于仿真条件搭建了磨粒流加工试验平台,使用原始流道和30°扰流流道分别进行了加工试验。试验结果表明：使用原始流道加工5 h后,工件表面曲率不同区域的表面粗糙度Ra值分散,加工效果均匀性较差;使用扰流流道加工5 h后,工件表面各区域表面粗糙度Ra的均匀性明显优于无扰流流场的加工均匀性。     

Experiment and simulation study on concentrated magnetic field-assisted ECM S-03 special stainless steel complex cavity

A novel concentrated magnetic field-assisted electrochemical machining (ECM) technology is proposed in this paper to machine contemporaneously seven workplaces’ complex cavity with high efficiency and good precision. An ECM clamping apparatus with concentrated magnetic field, periodic magnetic field, and no magnetic field was designed. The magnetic field simulation was carried out. Comparing the results of the concentrated magnetic field to the periodic magnetic field, the magnetic field intensity of the former is increased by 9.8 % than the latter. The ECM cathode with the same gap was designed and manufactured. Under the conditions of 12 % NaNO₃, 14-V voltage, 0.8-MPa electrolyte pressure, temperature 32 °C, cathode feed rate 0.9 mm/min, initial machining gap 0.1 mm, and the S-03 special stainless steel workpiece material, the experiments with concentrated magnetic field, periodic magnetic field, and no magnetic field were carried out. The results show that the gap magnetic field strength was increased by 16.7 % in the concentrated magnetic field than in the periodic magnetic field. Through a sectioning test, the precision in the concentrated magnetic field is increased by 33.3 % compared with no magnetic circuit and increased by 14.8 % compared with the periodic magnetic field. The concentrated magnetic field-assisted ECM technology cannot only reduce the cathode design cycle and cost but also increase the process accuracy.     

薄壁回转体表面岛屿状高凸台结构旋印电解加工成形过程研究

以航空发动机机匣为代表的薄壁回转体表面分布有大量岛屿状的高凸台结构，此类零件普遍存在加工变形大、刀具损耗严重等制造难题。旋印电解加工采用回转体工具电极，通过工件与工具的同步对转实现阳极材料的逐层均匀溶解，对于机匣等薄壁回转体零件加工具有独特优势。开展了旋印电解凸台成形过程的仿真研究，建立了电极等效运动分析模型和阳极溶解数学模型，掌握岛屿状高凸台结构旋印电解加工成形规律。仿真结果表明，阴极进给深度和窗口宽度对凸台轮廓形状有着很大的影响。随着阴极工具的不断进给，阴极窗口运动轨迹的包络线逐渐由尖锥形变为纺锤形，凸台侧壁锥度不断减小，呈现从正锥形→垂直→倒锥的变化趋势。阴极窗口宽度的增加会导致窗口运动轨迹倾斜角度增大，有利于获得锥度较小的凸台侧壁轮廓。对于任意阴极窗口宽度的凸台侧壁轮廓均可以通过某一宽度的轮廓通过角度旋转偏置获得。此外，旋印电解加工间隙呈现出非平衡态变化趋势。在仿真分析的基础上，进一步开展了旋印电解加工试验研究，在镍基合金GH4169薄壁回转体表面加工出岛屿状高凸台结构。试验结果表明旋印电解加工技术对于具有较大高度复杂异形岛屿状凸台结构的薄壁回转体零件具有较好的加工能力。     

航天发动机叶片电解加工流场设计和试验研究

电解加工作为整体构件制造的主要技术之一,其流场设计的合理性将严重影响电解加工过程的稳定性、加工效率和质量。针对航天发动机叶片式扩压器设计了部分阻隔式反W型流场,并开展了与侧流式和反W型流场的仿真比较。仿真结果表明,该流场方式可以保证加工区电解液的高速流动,并能有效避免进/排气边漏液现象。最后,在部分阻隔式反W型流场中开展了叶片式扩压器电解加工试验,在阴极进给速度为0.5 mm/min时加工出了扩压器叶片,验证了流场设计的合理性。