Parametric analysis on electrochemical discharge machining of silicon nitride ceramics

The electrochemical discharge machining (ECDM) process has a potential in the machining of silicon nitride ceramics. This paper describes the development of a second order, non-linear mathematical model for establishing the relationship among machining parameters, such as applied voltage, electrolyte concentration and inter-electrode gap, with the dominant machining process criteria, namely material removal rate (MRR), radial overcut (ROC) and thickness of heat affected zone (HAZ), during an ECDM operation on silicon nitride. The model is developed based on response surface methodology (RSM) using the relevant experimental data, which are obtained during an ECDM micro-drilling operation on silicon nitride ceramics. We also offer an analysis of variance (ANOVA) and a confirmation test to verify the fit and adequacy of the developed mathematical models. From the parametric analyses based on mathematical modelling, it can be recommended that applied voltage has more significant effects on MRR, ROC and HAZ thickness during ECDM micro-drilling operation as compared to other machining parameters such as electrolyte concentration and inter-electrode gap.     

Micro wire electrode electrochemical cutting with low frequency and small amplitude tool vibration

For removing electrolysis products and renewing electrolyte, the low frequency and small amplitude micro-tool vibration which direction is parallel to wire electrode axis is adopted. A wire electrochemical micro-machining system with micro-tool vibration unit has been developed. A mathematical model of overcut is presented. The micrometer scale wire electrodes of 10, 5, and 2???m in diameter have been electrochemically in situ fabricated. The influence of micro-tool vibration on processing stability, overcut, machining accuracy, and repeatability accuracy of micro wire electrode electrochemical cutting is investigated. With electrodes in various diameters, influence of electrode diameter on overcut is experimentally studied. To investigate the influence of machining parameters and work-piece thickness on the machining, comparative experiments are carried.     

Parametric analysis on electrochemical discharge machining of silicon nitride ceramics

The electrochemical discharge machining (ECDM) process has a potential in the machining of silicon nitride ceramics. This paper describes the development of a second order, non-linear mathematical model for establishing the relationship among machining parameters, such as applied voltage, electrolyte concentration and inter-electrode gap, with the dominant machining process criteria, namely material removal rate (MRR), radial overcut (ROC) and thickness of heat affected zone (HAZ), during an ECDM operation on silicon nitride. The model is developed based on response surface methodology (RSM) using the relevant experimental data, which are obtained during an ECDM micro-drilling operation on silicon nitride ceramics. We also offer an analysis of variance (ANOVA) and a confirmation test to verify the fit and adequacy of the developed mathematical models. From the parametric analyses based on mathematical modelling, it can be recommended that applied voltage has more significant effects on MRR, ROC and HAZ thickness during ECDM micro-drilling operation as compared to other machining parameters such as electrolyte concentration and inter-electrode gap.     

Drilling of micro-holes on copper using electrochemical micromachining

Electrochemical micromachining (EMM) is one of the best micromachining techniques for machining electrically conducting, tough, and difficult-to-machine materials with suitable machining parameter combinations. For the micro-fabrication of components like nozzle plate for ink jet printer head and delicate 3D electronic circuit board components, EMM is predominantly used. In this paper, the effect of process parameters such as such as electrolyte concentration, machining voltage, frequency, and duty cycle on the material removal rate (MRR) and overcut were studied using copper workpiece. According to Taguchi’s quality design concepts, an L₁₈ orthogonal array is used. ANOVA is also performed to determine the most significant parameter that influences the EMM process. The optimum process parameters for lower overcut and higher MRR are found out and confirmation tests were carried out to validate the prediction. The confirmation test results show 19 and 20.78?% improvements of overcut and MRR, respectively, with respect to the initial parametric setting.     

高频窄脉冲微细电解加工实验研究

加工间隙是电解加工的核心工艺参数,利用在45钢薄片上打微细孔,通过实验分析来探索高频、窄脉冲微细电解加工中频率、电压和电解液浓度对加工间隙及电极截面和加工稳定性的影响规律。     

Predicting radial overcut in deep holes drilled by shaped tube electrochemical machining

Shaped tube electrolytic machining (STEM) is a versatile and relatively low cost process for drilling deep, high aspect ratio holes. Since the radius of a drilled hole is the sum of the tool radius and radial overcut, one crucial aspect of dimensional accuracy is radial overcut. However, models of overcut in the literature are scarce and have primarily been restricted to shallow holes. Moreover these models were purely empirical and therefore restricted in scope. A fundamental mathematical model that uses STEM operating parameters (voltage, tool diameter and feed rate, bare tip length and electrolyte composition) as inputs to predict radial overcut has been developed. Predictions from the proposed radial overcut model are much closer to experimental data compared to those from the models available in the literature. A novel contribution of this study has been the formulation of a methodology to determine the magnitude of current flowing out radially from the bare tip length using experimentally measured total current values.     

微细孔电解加工控制方法及试验研究

基于微细电解加工的特点，介绍了一种微细电解加工系统。该系统能够将加工间隙控制到几微米到几十微米的范围内。根据电解加工以离子形式对材料去除的特性，进行微细电极、微细群电极的制备研究，并将其用于微细孔、群孔的加工中。试验分析了各工艺参数如电压、溶液浓度、加工间隙、进给速度等对微细孔电解加工精度的影响。结果表明，微细电解加工的侧面间隙随着加工电压的降低、溶液浓度的减小、脉宽变窄和初始加工间隙的减小而减小，改善了加工的定域性，加工精度得到提高。     

Shape control in micro borehole generation by EMM with the assistance of vibration of tool

Electrochemical micromachining (EMM) is gaining importance day by day due its advantages that include no tool wear, absence of stress/burr, high MRR, bright surface finish and ability to machine complex shapes regardless of hardness. Overcut and taper formation is the main problem during micro borehole machining. In this paper, an electrical circuit model of EMM is presented for better understanding of the process and experimental MRR is found to be in good agreement with theoretical MRR. In the present set up variation of overcut with voltage, pulsed frequency, vibration amplitude of tool and vibration frequency of tool are investigated. To reduce overcut and taper angle of micro borehole, machining zone is simulated with a reversed taper tool and verified by practical experiments for proper shape control during micro borehole generation. Variation of micro nozzle angle with different feed rates and different times of machining are also investigated for the shape control during micromachining with conical tool. Finally, it has been shown that both reversed taper and forward taper tool can be used for generation of taper less micro features i.e. boreholes.     

Investigation into fabrication of microslot arrays by electrochemical micromachining

Maskless electrochemical micromachining (EMM) is a prominent and unique surface texturing method to fabricate the arrays of microslots. This article investigates the generation of microslot arrays using maskless EMM method. The developed prototype maskless EMM setup consists of EMM cell, power supply connections, electrode holding devices and constricted vertical cross flow electrolyte system for the fabrication of microslot arrays economically. One textured cathode tool with SU-8 2150 mask is used to produce 22 microslot arrays. Influences of EMM process parameters including voltage, electrolyte concentration, inter electrode gap, flow rate and machining time on the machining performance that is, width overcut, depth and surface roughness (R_a) of microslot arrays are investigated. For lower width overcut, controlled depth, and lower surface roughness, machining with lower voltage, lower electrolyte concentration, lower inter electrode gap, higher flow rate and lower machining time are recommended. From the analysis, it is observed that the best machining conditions including inter electrode gap of 50?μm, applied voltage of 6 V, electrolyte concentration of 20?g L^?1, flow rate of 5.35 m³ hr^?1 and machining time of 1?min fabricate regular microslot array with mean width overcut of 24.321?μm, mean machining depth of 10.7?μm and mean surface roughness of 0.0101?μm.     

Surface characteristics of ECMed titanium work samples for biomedical applications

Electrochemical machining (ECM) process has great potential on account of the versatility of its applications. ECM is being widely used in the manufacturing industry because hard metals can be machined regardless of the mechanical property of a work piece. Titanium is broadly used in a number of fields such as aerospace, power generation, automotive, chemical including petrochemical, and sporting goods. Apart from these applications, it has tremendous prospective in dental, medical industries, and biomedical engineering. The biological performance of titanium implant depends on their surface topography and form accuracy that includes various surface parameters. ECM is one of the alternative machining processes that can be applied to the machining of titanium implant for biomedical applications. The aim of this paper is to present experimental result of surface characteristics obtained on titanium samples, utilizing developed cross-flow electrolyte supply system in electrochemical machining. It is observed that electrolyte flow velocity and voltage between electrodes are some of the influencing parameters, which affect the surface characteristics. Titanium oxide layer has been generated on the machined surface, which facilitates the improvement of the corrosion and chemical resistance of titanium implant. Effects of electrolyte flow velocity and voltage during electrochemical machining process for generation of various surface characteristics have been successfully studied through experimentation. In the present work, the obtained surface roughness values on the titanium sample machined by ECM were in the range of 2.4 to 2.93???m, which is within acceptable value for the implants. Effects of electrolyte flow velocity and voltage on the material removal rate and machining accuracy in the form of overcut are also presented in the paper.     

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。     

A study on micro machining of e-glass–fibre–epoxy composite by ECSM process

The paper presents the result of an experimental investigation on the micro machining of electrically non-conductive e-glass–fibre–epoxy composite during electrochemical spark machining using specially designed square cross section with centrally micro hole brass tool and different diameter round-shaped micro tools made of IS-3748 steel. A micro electrochemical spark machining (ECSM) setup has been designed, fabricated and used for conducting the experiments. According to the Taguchi method-based design, the specific numbers of experiments have been carried out to investigate the influence of the fabricated ECSM parameters on the material removal rate and overcut on generated hole radius. Test results show that the material removal rate is maximum when machining was performed at higher setting value of D.C. supply voltage (e.g. 70?V), moderate setting value of electrolytic concentration (e.g. 80?g/l) and 180-mm gap between electrodes. Taking significant machining parameters into consideration and using multiple linear regression, mathematical modes for material removal rate and overcut on hole radius are established to investigate the influence of cutting parameters during micro-ECSM. The influence of machining parameters on machined hole and special shape contour quality are also analysed through different scanning electron micrographs. Confirmation test results established the fact that the developed mathematical models are appropriate for effectively representing the machining performance criteria.     

高频群脉冲电化学微小型加工中的反向电流与压力波

针对脉冲电化学加工，建立了反向电流和压力波的数学模型，提出了高频群脉冲电化学加工方法。结果表明，充分发挥反向电流作用的电源频率在10～24kHz之间，压力波频率在400～1333Hz之间。反向电流仅与电极本身有关，它决定了高频群脉冲电化学加工的主脉冲频率；压力波则除了电极外，还与电解质性质和流速、极间间隙和电压等有关，它决定了高频群脉冲电化学加工的调制脉冲频率。根据模拟结果设计的实验表明，良好的加工质量来源于高频群脉冲带来的较小极间间隙。     

Modeling and fabrication of microhole by electrochemical micromachining using retracted tip tool

Accurate microhole is a key feature for many kinds of micro parts widely used in diverse industries. But machining of microhole using traditional processes faces great challenges due to the thermal-mechanical effects. Electrochemical micromachining (EMM) is a potential technique to meet the requirement of high-quality microhole fabrication. However, the currently-used microtools suffer from some drawbacks such as stray dissolution, bell-mouth entrance and excess radial overcut. To overcome these limitations, a novel microtool with retracted tip structure is proposed in this work. A mathematical model has been developed to investigate the effect of retracted tip depth on machining accuracy. And an empirical formula is obtained based on the model to predict the diameter of the generated microhole. Experimental verification is performed on a home-made EMM system and reveals good correlation with the theoretical predictions. Using this novel microtool with optimum retracted tip depth, high-quality microholes have been fabricated on aluminum and 304 stainless steel sheets.     

Vibration assisted electrochemical micromachining of high aspect ratio micro features

The most used processes for generation of high aspect ratio microchannels are Nd: YAG laser technology on silica substrate and ultra violate lithography (UV-LIGA) process on metals. There are a few micromachining technologies such as micro mechanical milling, micro electro discharge machining (EDM) and electrochemical micromachining (EMM) for production of high-aspect-ratio micro features on highly stressed and anticorrosive metal like stainless steel. This paper discusses the micro fabrication of high aspect ratio micro features at the intended location on high strength stainless steel sheet of very small thickness to high thickness with highest average aspect ratio 14.33 achieved during microchannel generation by EMM with the help of coated microtool. Mathematical model relating aspect ratio with various parameters and machining conditions is derived to explore the ways to increase the aspect ratio of micro features. Experimental investigations were carried out to know the effect of vibration of microtool, frequency of pulsed voltage, microtool tip shape, thickness of work piece and non-conducting layer coated microtool on high aspect ratio micro features. Vibration of microtool with very small amplitude improved the stability of micromachining due to improved flow of electrolyte.     

A Study on Electrochemical Micromachining for Fabrication of Microgrooves in an Air-Lubricated Hydrodynamic Bearing

A specially built electrochemical micromachining/pulsed electrochemical micromachining (EMM/PECM) cell, a electrode tool filled with non-conducting material, a electrolyte flow control system and a small and stable gap control unit, are developed to achieve accurate dimensions for spindle recesses. Two electrolytes, aqueous sodium nitrate and aqueous sodium chloride are applied in this study. The former electrolyte has better machinability than the latter because of its ability to change appropriately to the transpassive state without forming pits on the surface of the workpiece. It is easier to control the machining depth precisely by micrometer with pulse current than direct current. This paper also presents an identification method for the machining depth by the in-process analysis of the machining current and interelectrode gap size. The interelectrode gap characteristics, including pulse current, effective volumetric electrochemical equivalent and electrolyte conductivity variations, are analysed, based on the model and experiments. ID="A1"Correspondance and offprint requests to: E.-S. Lee, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Inha University, 253, Yonghyun-Dong, Nam-Gu, Incheon, 402–751, Korea. E-mail: leees@inha.ac.kr     

高频群脉冲电解加工中IGBT反向尖峰电压的数学模型

在高频群脉冲电解加工电源的研究中发现电源的核心元件IGBT在关断瞬间会出现反向尖峰电压,由于对他的适当 控制对提高电解加工的精度和加工产品的表面质量起着至关重要的作用,针对这个问题我们建立了反向尖峰电压的数学模 型。本文就此数学模型进行了介绍,同时阐述了该模型的建立对抑制反向尖峰电压的作用。     

Experimental investigation on the influence of electrochemical micro-drilling by short pulsed voltage

In this work, a tungsten carbide (WC) pin 50?μm in diameter was used to drill throughout nickel plates of 200?μm in thickness by electrochemical micro-machining. A novel pulsed power generator was used to support pulses of nanosecond duration in drilling. The influences of working parameters, such as pulsed duration, applied voltage, pulse frequency, electrolyte concentration, tool feed rates, and hole depth, on the hole overcut and conicity are investigated. A high-quality micro-hole with 11.1-μm overcut was drilled on a nickel plate of 200?μm in thickness.     

Study of electrochemical machining characteristics of Al/SiCp composites

Non-conventional machining is increasing in importance due to some of the specific advantages which can be exploited during machining operation. Electrochemical machining (ECM) appears to be a promising technique, since in many areas of application, it offers several special advantages including higher machining rate, better precision and control, and a wider range of materials that can be machined. The present work is, therefore, initiated to investigate the influence of some predominant electrochemical process parameters such as applied voltage, electrolyte concentration, electrolyte flow rate and tool feed rate on the metal removal rate (MRR), and surface roughness (Ra) to fulfill the effective utilization of electrochemical machining of LM25 Al/10%SiC composites produced through stir casting. The contour plots are generated to study the effect of process parameters as well as their interactions. The process parameters are optimized based on Response Surface Methodology (RSM).     

An experimental study on the effect of magnetic field orientations and electrolyte concentrations on ECDM milling performance of glass

In this work, effects of magnetic field orientation, machining voltage and electrolyte concentration on electrochemical discharge machining (ECDM) performance have been studied. The microchannels have been machined on the glass substrate; microchannel's depth and surface quality have been taken as indexes of machining characteristic. Experimental results show that the Lorenz force of magnetic field affects a direction of bubble's motion, consequently, changes the electrochemical discharge behavior of electrolyte. The presence of magnetic field causes magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) convection which, by its turn, accelerates the repulsion of the bubbles from the cathodic surface. However, it should mention that the direction of bubble movement depends on the magnetic field orientation. If the magnetic field orientation induces upward Lorenz force (downward Lorenz force), the gas bubbles will repel from (will attract to) inter-electrode area. The obtained results demonstrate that when the magnetic field applies, the machined surface will be smoother for the lower concentration values of electrolyte and higher machining voltages. Enhancements of both the machining voltage and electrolyte concentration increase the machining depth. For the same values of applied voltages, application of magnetic field will also increase the machining depth in a certain machining process duration; this will be intensified for the lower values of electrolyte concentration. The results of this study explain how the combination of the magnetic field orientation and the values of machining voltage and electrolyte concentration should be defined in order to increase both the channel depth and surface quality.