Power metallurgy tool electrodes for electrical discharge machining

Electrodes in electrical discharge machining (EDM) can be compared with cutting tools in conventional machining. Tool performance is one of the important factors that determine the quality of the machined component. Due to the ease of manufacturing and control over the properties of electrodes, the powder metallurgy (P/M) technique has an advantage over other methods of electrode fabrication. P/M electrodes affect the micro- and macrovariables in EDM and the properties of P/M electrodes can be controlled over a wide range by adjusting the compacting and sintering conditions. The performance of P/M electrodes on various aspects of EDM operation is discussed in this paper.     

Workpiece surface modification using electrical discharge machining

Electrical discharge machining (EDM) is a widely used process in the mould / die and aerospace industries. Following a brief summary of the process, the paper reviews published work on the deliberate surface alloying of various workpiece materials using EDM. Details are given of operations involving powder metallurgy (PM) tool electrodes and the use of powders suspended in the dielectric fluid, typically aluminium, nickel, titanium, etc. Following this, experimental results are presented on the surface alloying of AISI H13 hot work tool steel during a die sink operation using partially sintered WC / Co electrodes operating in a hydrocarbon oil dielectric. An L8 fractional factorial Taguchi experiment was used to identify the effect of key operating factors on output measures (electrode wear, workpiece surface hardness, etc.). With respect to microhardness, the percentage contribution ratios (PCR) for peak current, electrode polarity and pulse on time were ˜24, 20 and 19%, respectively. Typically, changes in surface metallurgy were measured up to a depth of ˜30 μm (with a higher than normal voltage of ˜270 V) and an increase in the surface hardness of the recast layer from ˜620 HK_0.025 up to ˜1350 HK_0.025.     

An investigation of ultrasonic-assisted electrical discharge machining in gas

This study focuses on using ultrasonic to improve the efficiency in electrical discharge machining (EDM) in gas medium. The new method is referred to as ultrasonic-assisted electrical discharge machining (UEDM). In the process of UEDM in gas, the tool electrode is a thin-walled pipe, the high-pressure gas medium is applied from inside, and the ultrasonic actuation is applied onto the workpiece. In our experiment, the workpiece material is AISI 1045 steel and the electrode material is copper. The experiment results indicate that (a) the Material Removal Rate (MRR) is increased with respect to the increase of the open voltage, the pulse duration, the amplitude of ultrasonic actuation, the discharge current, and the decrease of the wall thickness of electrode pipe; and (b) the surface roughness is increased with respect to the increase of the open voltage, the pulse duration, and the discharge current. Based on experimental results, a theoretical model to estimate the MRR and the surface roughness is developed.     

复杂直纹面加工中电极丝中心轨迹的求取算法研究

针对电火花线切割加工复杂直纹面的问题，以直纹面理论为基础，从实际加工要求出发，提出了求取电极丝中心轨迹的“广义电极丝”模型。分析了直导线直纹面电极丝中心轨迹的变化趋势，计算结果表明直接用电极丝中心轨迹两端点的连线近似表示该中心轨迹是欠妥的，为提高代码精度应对求取的电极丝中心轨迹进行同步线性化处理。     

线切割加工质量的分析及改善措施

线切割加工在模具制造业中常用于加工精密、微细的模具零件。通过介绍线切割的加工原理,研究了线切割加工过程容易产生的加工质量缺陷,分析了加工面变形与开裂、变质层及表面粗糙度产生的原因,提出了进一步提高工件表面质量的改善措施和方法。实践中可以通过合理选材、优化电参数、选择正确的加工路线等方面综合分析和控制线切割加工,在保证生产率的前提下,改善和提高线切割加工质量。     

An NC tool path translator for virtual machining of precision optical products

In this paper, a virtual machining system (VMS) for the ultra-precision diamond turning is presented, and the NC tool path translator function module of the VMS is discussed. The developed VMS is based on the NC program not as some commercial CAD/CAM software which is based on the cutter location DATA file. In the VMS, the virtual machine tool is controlled through the NC program used by the actual machine tool. The NC tool path translator consists of accidence analysis, lexical-analyzer, grammar and semantic parse, driving code generator, etc. The manufacture of a mould insert for a diffractive lens was used as a case study to illustrate the performance of the developed VMS.     

Predictions on surface finish in electrical discharge machining based upon neural network models

Predictions on the surface finish of work-pieces in electrical discharge machining (EDM) based upon physical or empirical models have been reported in the past years. However, when the change of electrode polarity has been considered, very few models have given reliable predictions. In this study, the comparisons on predictions of surface finish for various work materials with the change of electrode polarity based upon six different neural-networks models and a neuro-fuzzy network model have been illustrated. The neural-network models are the Logistic Sigmoid Multi-layered Perceptron (LOGMLP), the Hyperbolic Tangent Sigmoid Multi-layered Perceptron (TANMLP), the Fast Error Back-propagation Hyperbolic Tangent Multi-layered Perceptron (Error TANMLP), the Radial Basis Function Networks (RBFN), the Adaptive Hyperbolic Tangent Sigmoid Multi-layered Perceptron, and the Adaptive Radial Basis Function Networks. The neuro-fuzzy network is the Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS). Being trained by experimental data initially screened by the Design of Experiment (DOE) method, the parameters of the above models have been optimally determined for predictions. Based upon the conclusive results from the comparisons on checking errors among these prediction models, the TANMLP, RBFN, Adaptive RBFN, and ANFIS model have shown consistent results. Also, it is concluded that the further experimental results have agreed to the predictions based upon the above four models.     

An improved method for scheduling the tool paths for three-axis surface machining

This paper presents a new tool-path scheduling method to improve the accuracy and efficiency of three-axis surface machining. The features of the proposed method include: (1) surface-error-based segmentation in the feed-forward direction; (2) consideration for the coupled effect of the segmentation in the feed-forward and the path-interval directions; and (3) compensation for the tool location to control the surface error and the segmentation efficiency. In this paper, we consider a ball-end mill for surface machining.     

Tool path generation for ultra-precision machining of free-form surfaces

The generation of tool paths for ultra-precision machining is still a limiting factor in the manufacturing of parts with complex optical surfaces. In conventional machining as well as in complex five axes machining the application of CAD- and CAM-software for the generation of tool paths is state of the art. But these software solutions are not able to generate tool paths according to the high requirements of ultra-precision machining. This paper describes possible ways to generate tool paths for ultra-precision machining when the optical surface can be analytically described or when the surface data is derived from optical design software. Ultra-precision milling experiments with different tool paths have been carried out and the quality of the machined geometry has been evaluated concerning the achievable form accuracy.     

A fuzzy pulse discriminating system for electrical discharge machining

In this paper, the use of fuzzy set theory to construct a new pulse discriminator in electrical discharge machining (EDM) is reported. The classification of various discharge pulses in EDM is based on the features of the measured gap voltage and gap current. To obtain optimal classification performance, a machine learning method based on a simulated annealing algorithm is adopted to automatically synthesize the membership functions of the fuzzy pulse discriminator. Experimental results have shown that EDM discharge pulses can be not only correctly but also quickly classified under varying cutting conditions using this approach.     

Development of a process signature for electrical discharge machining

Electrical discharge machining (EDM) is a versatile unconventional machining process allowing high precision manufacturing. Due to the thermal main active principle, the process-induced heat affected rim zone always needs to be particularly considered regarding its characteristics as the resulting surface integrity has to fulfill the needed functional properties for advanced applications. Today, no deterministic model is available especially for the residual stress prediction. As consequence, current process design is based on experience and heuristic optimization. The paper therefore mechanistically links the material modification and the process-induced load. Inversion of the according process signature component finally allows model-based process design.     

零件大角度面电火花线切割加工瓶颈的分析与对策

通过对模具零件大角度面电火花线切割加工瓶颈的研究,找到解决电火花线切割大角度面加工瓶颈的方法,通过制备电火花线切割角度装夹夹具和正弦磁力吸台,解决了模具零件大角度面电火花线切割加工瓶颈的问题,同时也提高了电火花线切割模具零件大角度面的加工效率和质量。     

Tool path optimization for free form surface machining

This article presents a novel approach to generate optimized tool paths for free form surfaces that are commonly used in automotive, aerospace, biomedical, home appliance manufacturing and die/mold industries. The developed tool path optimization approach can handle various objectives under multiple constraints. Due to anisotropic geometry of free form surfaces, tool paths become one of the most critical factors for determining cutting forces. Here, the concept of force-minimal tool path generation is introduced and demonstrated for free form surfaces. Nowadays, process planning engineers must select the tool paths only from a set of ordinary tool paths available in CAM systems. These standard tool paths available in CAM systems are generated based on geometric computations only, not considering mechanics of processes, and most often these paths are away being optimum for free form surfaces. Here, a new methodology is introduced the first time for generating the tool paths based on process mechanics for globally minimizing the cutting forces for any given free form surface.     

Breakout detection in fast hole electrical discharge machining

Real time tracking of the working end of the tool in fast hole electrical discharge drilling process is not straightforward due to extensive relative erosion of the tool, which manifests as severe longitudinal and shape wear. This poses a problem in terms of sensing hole breakout as well as hole completion, with adverse implications on process productivity and component quality. To this end, this paper presents a scheme that concurrently monitors the back pressure of the dielectric fluid injected through the tool and the displacement of the machine tool ram, to detect hole breakout and completion, respectively. Implementation of such a system has the scope for significantly enhancing process output, particularly in applications that entail the drilling of a large number of holes.     

Applications of acoustic mapping in electrical discharge machining

The spatial distribution of discharges in electrical discharge machining (EDM) comprises valuable process information, which is not accurately obtained from electrical signals that are utilized extensively for process monitoring and control. This research hence explored the application of acoustic emission (AE) to map the discharges, in consideration of the acoustic time lag. In particular, the work refers to realistic process conditions, wherein AE from successive discharges cause repeated signal interference, which is detrimental to reliable time lag estimation. The applications of this capability for the respective identification of electrode length and workpiece height in fast-hole EDM and wire EDM are presented.     

A method of tool path compensation for repeated machining process

This paper proposes a software method to compensate for the contour error in repeated machining process. In the proposed method, the profile of the first machined part is measured by a coordinate measuring machine. Based on the measured data, the tool path is modified by a compensation algorithm, and then, is represented by a series of linear segments. Finally, the compensated tool path is fed to the CNC machine tool for the machining of subsequent parts. Mathematical analysis and experimental evaluation are presented in this paper.     

气中放电加工电极夹具的研制

介绍了一种气中放电加工电极夹具的结构及工作原理,阐述了设计要点,给出了设计过程和应用实例。该电极夹具克服了一般电极夹具不能旋转、不能密封的缺点,实际应用效果良好。     

Tool path generation for 4-axis contour EDM rough machining

Contour or CNC EDM machining of free-form surfaces requires tool paths that are different from those used in mechanical milling although in geometry both processes are described by the similar model of intersection between the rotating tool and the workpiece. In this paper, special requirements on tool paths demanded by contour EDM machining are studied and a two-phase tool path generation method for 4-axis contour EDM rough milling with a cylindrical electrode is developed. In the first phase of the method, initial tool paths for virtual 3-axis milling are generated in a commercial CAD/CAM system—Unigraphics, which provides users with plenty of options in choosing suitable tool path patterns. From these tool paths, cutter contact (CC) points between electrode and workpiece are reversely calculated. In the second phase, considering the special requirements of EDM machining, which include discharging gap compensation, electrode wear compensation, DC arcing prevention, etc., the electrode is adjusted to an optimized interference-free orientation by rotating it around the CC points obtained in the previous phase. This new orientation together with the reference point of electrode is output as new tool path. The whole algorithm has been integrated into Unigraphics, machining simulations and tests have been conducted for 4-axis contour EDM rough machining.     

A study on pulse control for small-hole electrical discharge machining

Small-hole EDM has a problem of debris evacuation from the narrow gap between the electrode and workpiece. The presence and difficulty in evacuating the debris formed during an erosion process limit the achievable aspect ratio. To address the problem of debris accumulation, a pulse generator, which is able to shut off harmful pulses and to apply high discharge energy pulses, is developed. A FPGA chip is used as the master controller for the determination of pulse discharge status and MOSFET switching. A series of experiments are carried out to examine the machining performance by shutting off harmful pulses and applying high discharge energy pulses. The experimental results show that the efficiency of small-hole drilling is improved and the aspect ratio is increased.     

Study of electrical discharge machining technology for slicing silicon ingots

Silicon slicing technology is an undergoing process and its performance improvements meet the ever-challenging and versatile demands. A new attempt to apply the WEDM strategy to slice the semiconductor materials is studied. The barriers from unusual material characteristics are to be conquered to make this idea realizable. The existing WEDM technology is utilized to slice the heavy-doped silicon ingot and its feasibility is examined. The machining rate and surface roughness are measured under various current on times and servo voltages in both the water immersed and water flushing WEDM machines. If small current on time is collocated with proper off time and lower gap voltage sensitivity under automatic feed mode, the stable area machining rate of around 76 mm²/min can be attained, and the R_a value is 3.6 μm or so which is acceptable if the following polishing procedure is considered. The thickness of defects to be polished can be predicted from the SEM photographs of the cross-sections of the sliced wafers. If the wire diameter is 0.25 mm and the wafer thickness is 1 mm, the portion of material loss including the kerf and the amount to be polished is under 26%.