Precision machining of micro tool electrodes in micro EDM for drilling array micro holes

Micro electro discharge machining (micro EDM) is suitable for machining micro holes on metal alloy materials, and the micro holes can be machined even to several microns by use of wire electro discharge grinding (WEDG) of micro electrodes. However, considering practicability of micro holes <Φ100 μm in batch processing, the controllable accuracy of holes’ diameter, the consistency accuracy of repeated machining and the processing efficiency are required to be systematically improved. On the basis of conventional WEDG method, a tangential feed WEDG (TF-WEDG) method combined with on-line measurement using a charge coupled device (CCD) was proposed for improving on-line machining accuracy of micro electrodes. In TF-WEDG, removal resolution of micro-electrode diameter (the minimum thickness to be removed from micro electrode) is greatly improved by feeding the electrode along the tangential direction of wire-guide arc, and the resolution is further improved by employing negative polarity machining. Taking advantage of the high removal resolution, the precise diameter of micro-electrode can be achieved by the tangential feed of electrode to a certain position after diameter feedback of on-line measurement. Furthermore, a hybrid process was presented by combining the TF-WEDG method and a self-drilled holes method to improve the machining efficiency of micro electrodes. A cyclic alternating process of micro-electrode repeated machining and micro holes’ drilling was implemented for array micro holes with high consistency accuracy. Micro-EDM experiments were carried out for verifying the proposed methods and processes, and the experimental results show that the repeated machining accuracy of micro electrodes was less than 2 μm and the consistency accuracy of array micro holes was ±1.1 μm.     

Workpiece and electrode influence on micro-EDM drilling performance

In recent years, the need for products containing micro-features has shown a pronounced and steady growth in several fields of application. For the development of micro-holed devices, one of the most important technologies is micro-EDM (Electro Discharge Machining). Micro-EDM can be considered as an ideal process to obtain burr-free micron-size features with high aspect ratios. In particular, micro-EDM is a non-contact material removal process in which rapid electric spark discharges remove the material composing the workpiece by means of melting and vaporizing phenomena. The present work deals with the fabrication of micro holes using micro-EDM technology. The investigation focuses on the influence of different electrodes and workpiece materials on the process performance, expressed in terms of tool wear ratio. In particular, the influence of four different workpiece materials (stainless steel, titanium, magnesium and brass), three electrode materials (copper, brass and tungsten carbide) and two different electrode shapes (cylindrical and tubular) was investigated. Moreover, an analysis of the geometrical characteristics of the micro holes in terms of conicity and diametrical overcut was carried out. An influence of electrode geometries, electrode material and workpiece material on the final output was found.     

Algorithms and machining experiments to reduce depth errors in servo scanning 3D micro EDM

In servo-scanning 3D micro electro discharge machining (SS-3D MEDM), the depth errors of 3D micro cavities are accumulated layer by layer due to the contour scanning process with keeping discharge gap for compensating axial electrode wear in real time. In this research, the errors’ causes were analyzed, and then a layer depth constrained algorithm (LDCA) and an S-curve accelerating algorithm (SCAA) were proposed to reduce the depth errors. By LDCA, over-cutting errors can be avoided by controlling a tool-electrode feed maximum at every scanning spot. As a supplementary algorithm for LDCA, SCAA can compensate insufficient-machining errors at start and end of scanning paths. Implementation process and control strategy of the algorithms were also described. The purpose of this research is to efficiently machine complex 3D micro-cavities with high accuracies of shape and surface. By use of computer-aided manufacturing software of Pro/Engineer to plan complex 3D scanning paths, machining experiments were carried out to verify the proposed algorithms. The experimental results show: Typical 3D micro cavities <800 μm can be automatically machined, and the machining accuracies of micro surfaces and edges are obviously improved, and the depth errors can be controlled within 2 μm, and the material removal rate reaches 2.0 × 10⁴ μm³/s with tool electrode of ∅80 μm and its rotational speed of 1000 r/min. In addition, the 3D micro cavities designed on unknown edge or hollow workpieces can be successfully formed.     

Realization of micro EDM drilling with high machining speed and accuracy by using mist deionized water jet

In electrical discharge machining, both the gas and liquid dielectric have unique advantages and inevitable disadvantages. The mist medium with a special property between gas with liquid is expected to have a better performance in EDM. In this paper, the performance of mist deionized water jet has been studied based on the disadvantages of deionized water in deep micro hole drilling: electrolysis action, electrophoresis action and gap-contamination by debris. Based on the analyzation on the advantages of mist jet, three projects of experiments have been done to verify its performance on the suppressing of electrolysis action and improving the debris exhaust. The results show that the micro EDM drilling with high machining speed and accuracy can be realized with mist jet. This method is particularly effective in deep micro hole drilling, since deeper holes can be obtained at faster machining speed with mist jet due to its significant improvement in debris exhaust.     

电火花加工中减小电极损耗的方法和实验研究

制作一种电火花小孔加工用Cu-Ni复合电极,其原理是基于电镀层和基体材料性能的差异,改变电极材料电蚀性能,保证电极端面和侧面的均匀损耗。在D703F型高速电火花小孔加工机床上,用Cu-Ni电极加工1Cr18Ni9Ti不锈钢材料,与常用的普通铜管电极对比。结果表明:在相同的加工条件下,Cu-Ni复合电极的电极损耗明显降低,同时改善了因电极损耗引起的被加工工件的尺寸精度和形状精度。     

An experimental investigation of tool wear in electric discharge machining

In this study, the variations of geometrical tool wear characteristics – namely, edge and front wear – and machining performance outputs – namely, workpiece removal rate, tool wear rate, relative wear and workpiece surface roughness – were investigated with varying machining parameters. Experiments were conducted using steel workpieces and round copper tools with a kerosene dielectric under different dielectric flushing conditions (injection, suction and static), discharge currents and pulse durations. The experiments have shown that machining parameters and dielectric flushing conditions had a large effect on geometric tool wear characteristics and machining performance outputs. Additionally, published research on tool wear is presented in detail in this study.     

Modelling of surface finish,electrode wear and material removal rate in electrical discharge machining of hard-to-machine alloys

Hard-to-machine alloys are commonly used for industrial applications in the aeronautical, nuclear and automotive sectors, where the materials must have excellent resistance to corrosion and oxidation, high temperature resistance and high mechanical strength. In this present study the influence of different parameters of the electrical discharge machining process on surface roughness, electrode wear and material removal rate have been studied. Regression techniques are employed to model arithmetic mean deviation Ra (μm), peak count Pc (1/cm), material removal rate MRR (mm³/min) and electrode wear EW (%). All these parameters have been studied in terms of current intensity supplied by the generator of the electrical discharge machine I (A), pulse time t_i (μs), duty cycle η and open-circuit voltage U (V). This modelling allows us to obtain mathematical data and models to predict that the most influential factor in MRR and Ra is the current intensity and in the case of EW and Pc is the pulse time.     

微细电火花加工圆柱电极的损耗研究

应用电磁场理论对微细电火花加工(Micro Electrical Discharge Machining,Micro-EDM)损耗机理进行分析,建立了加工中工具电极电场分布的数学模型.应用Comsol Multiphysics软件对此模型进行了计算与模拟,分析了电场强度的变化对电极形状变化的影响,并指出在靠近放电点位置和底部电极形状改变后,集肤效应的作用被削弱.实验验证了仿真结果和所提出损耗机理的正确性,为电极损耗补偿策略和加工精度的提高提供了理论依据.     

基于SLA成形的EDM电极加工工艺

介绍基于立体光成形(SLA)EDM电极的加工工艺。该工艺将CAD、SAL壳形铸造与真空离心铸造相结合,特别 适宜具有微形复杂形状EDM电极的单件、小批量生产,并使传统分散、多工序的EDM电极加工工艺实现了集成化和自 动化。     

Feasibility study of micro-slit EDM machining using pure water

This study addresses micro-slit EDM machining feasibility using pure water as the dielectric fluid. Experimental results revealed that pure water could be used as a dielectric fluid and adopting negative polarity EDM machining could obtain high material removal rate (MRR), low electrode wear, small slit expansion, and little machined burr, compared to positive polarity machining. In comparing kerosene versus pure water, pure water was observed to cause low carbon adherence to the electrode surface. Also discharge energy does not decrease and the discharge processes are not interrupted. Therefore, MRR was higher, and related electrode wear ratio compared to kerosene use was lower. In a continual EDM with multi-slit machining, kerosene will cause carbon element adherence, creating an initially high MRR and electrode wear, with rapid decline. However, pure water will not cause carbon element adherence on the electrode surface, so MRR and electrode wear is always stable in this process.     

Study of the Batch Production of Micro Parts Using the EDM Process

The micro machining of copper plates by the electrical discharge machining (EDM) process is described. Tungsten carbide was selected as the material for the electrode. Experiments were carried out on a conventional CNC-EDM machine to investigate machining of micro holes, and micro slots. The results show that micro holes, and micro slots can be successfully processed on a conventional CNC-EDM machine. To improve the productivity of micro parts using the EDM process, a batch production method of micro EDM using multi-electrodes has been studied. A new technique for preparing multi-electrodes has been developed. Results also show that the batch production of micro parts using EDM is feasible and that the batch production of micro parts using EDM process with multi-electrodes is very effective.     

基于刀轨广义偏置的电火花摇动加工补偿方法

针对电火花加工中电极摇动产生加工误差的问题,结合电极自由曲面数控加工的基本原理,提出基于数控刀轨广义偏置的补偿方法。通过对电极自由曲面原始加工刀轨的广义偏置计算,可有效、统一地解决自由曲面电极典型摇动方式所引起的加工误差问题,同时对偏置计算后产生的刀轨自交问题进行讨论。针对实际生产加工对象和不同的电极摇动方式,进行补偿计算和生产加工验证。检测结果表明,该方法能够较大地提高加工精度,缩短生产周期。     

钛合金深小孔超声电火花加工工艺与实验研究

针对钛合金深小孔加工的技术难点,研制了具有四轴联动功能的微细超声电火花加工机床,在所研制的机床上,进行了钛合金深小孔超声电火花复合加工实验,就超声振动及削边电极在加工中的作用进行了系统和研究。     

微细电火花加工中电极材料的蚀除机理研究

在微细电火花加工过程中 ,由于放电时间极短 ,使得其阴阳两极的电极材料蚀除过程产生较大的差异。本文应用传热学和电场的基本理论 ,分别对微细电火花加工阴阳两极的材料蚀除机理进行了理论研究 ,得出了在窄脉宽微细电火花加工中 ,尽量缩短脉宽可提高阳极材料的去除效率 ,同时又不会明显增加阴极材料损耗的结论。为微细电火花加工脉冲电源设计及加工工艺的改进提供了理论依据     

电火花加工机床(EDM)的新进展及市场分析--美国芝加哥国际制造技术展(IMTS2002)EDM评述

通过IMT2002展出的低速走丝电火花线切割机床（LSWEDM），数控电火花成形机床（NCSEDM），高速小孔电火花加工机床（HSEDM）的新产品，新技术、新工艺介绍，结合我国情况对EDM市场进行了分析。     

电极材料对电火花加工质量影响的分析

对电火花加工中电极材料的合理选取作了详细的分析和探讨，并用实验结果分析了电极材料性能对加工质量的影响，说明了电极材料是影响电火花加工质量的一个重要因素。     

Research of micro EDM/ECM method in same electrolyte with running wire tool electrode

A micro rod machining method which can switch between electrical discharge machining (EDM) and electrochemical machining (ECM) by attaching/detaching a diode to/from a bipolar pulse generator in parallel to the working gap was newly developed using a wire electrode made of tungsten. The problem of the wire electrode wear was eliminated by the use of the wire electrochemical turning (WECT) method in which the tungsten wire electrode is continuously running. The ultra-short bipolar pulse current was generated by the electrostatic induction feeding method where a pulse voltage is coupled to the working gap through a feeding capacitance. The machining characteristics of three types of wire guide; disk-shaped WC guide, laminated wire guide and cylindrical acrylic guide, were studied. The experimental results showed that the cylindrical acrylic guide has the best machining characteristics without the influence of guide wear and with less stray current flowing through the working gap. Using the cylindrical acrylic guide, the influences of the feeding capacitance C₁, and the total amplitude of the pulse voltage on the machining characteristics were studied. Finally, a stainless steel SUS 304 micro-rod with a high aspect ratio of 14 was fabricated efficiently by using the EDM and ECM modes for rough and finish machining in sequence with the same setup, pulse generator, and neutral electrolyte.     

利用新型工作液和改进电极提高电火花加工性能的试验

针对电火花小孔加工中加工速度低、电极损耗严重、工件产生斜度和棱角变钝等缺陷,提出了改进小孔工具电极、研制新型工作液以提高电火花加工性能的具体措施,并在电火花机床上进行了试验。通过大量的试验研究得出:在相同的电参数下,与传统工艺相比,采用新型工作液作为介质并配有改进的电极进行电火花小孔加工时,其加工速度大幅提高、电极损耗与工件锥度有所降低,从而提高了电火花加工性能。     

电火花加工内齿轮

介绍电火花加工内齿轮及其工艺,并对其中的技术难题和关键技术进行了分析.用此方法加工成本低,效率高,操作方便,产品质量稳定.     

Surface generation modeling of micro milling process with stochastic tool wear

Micro milling is widely used to manufacture miniature parts and features at high quality with low set-up cost. To achieve a higher quality of existing micro products and improve the milling performance, a reliable analytical model of surface generation is the prerequisite as it offers the foundation for surface topography and surface roughness optimization. In the micro milling process, the stochastic tool wear is inevitable, but the deep influence of tool wear hasn't been considered in the micro milling process operation and modeling. Therefore, an improved analytical surface generation model with stochastic tool wear is presented for the micro milling process. A probabilistic approach based on the particle filter algorithm is used to predict the stochastic tool wear progression, linking online measurement data of cutting forces and tool vibrations with the state of tool wear. Meanwhile, the influence of tool run-out is also considered since the uncut chip thickness can be comparable to feed per tooth compared with that in conventional milling. Based on the process kinematics, tool run-out and stochastic tool wear, the cutting edge trajectory for micro milling can be determined by a theoretical and empirical coupled method. At last, the analytical surface generation model is employed to predict the surface topography and surface roughness, along with the concept of the minimum chip thickness and elastic recovery. The micro milling experiment results validate the effectiveness of the presented analytical surface generation model under different machining conditions. The model can be a significant supplement for predicting machined surface prior to the costly micro milling operations, and provide a basis for machining parameters optimization.