Chapter 19Chapter 19

Electronic Electrochemical Electronic Electrochemical ChemicalChemical

and Thermal Machining and Thermal Machining ProcessesProcesses

(Review)(Review)

EIN 3390 Manufacturing ProcessesEIN 3390 Manufacturing Processes

Spring, 2012Spring, 2012

19.1 Introduction19.1 IntroductionNon-traditional machining (NTM) processes

have several advantages◦ Complex geometries are possible◦ Extreme surface finish◦ Tight tolerances◦ Delicate components◦ Little or no burring or residual stresses◦ Brittle materials with high hardness can be

machined◦ Microelectronic or integrated circuits (IC) are

possible to mass produce

NTM ProcessesNTM ProcessesFour basic groups of material removal using NTM

processes◦ Chemical:

Chemical reaction between a liquid reagent and workpiece results in etching

◦ Electrochemical An electrolytic reaction at workpiece surface for removal of material

◦ Thermal High temperature in very localized regions evaporate materials, for example, EDM

◦ Mechanical High-velocity abrasives or liquids remove materials

Limitations of Conventional Limitations of Conventional Machining ProcessesMachining Processes

Machining processes that involve chip formation have a number of limitations◦ Large amounts of energy◦ Unwanted distortion◦ Residual stresses◦ Burrs ◦ Delicate or complex geometries may be difficult or impossible

Conventional End Milling vs. NTMConventional End Milling vs. NTMTypical machining parameters

◦ Feed rate (5 – 200 in./min.)◦ Surface finish (60 – 150 µin) AA – Arithmetic Average

◦ Dimensional accuracy (0.001 – 0.002 in.)◦ Workpiece/feature size (25 x 24 in.); 1 in. deep

NTM processes typically have lower feed rates and require more power consumption

The feed rate in NTM is independent of the material being processed

Table 19-1 Summary of NTM ProcessesTable 19-1 Summary of NTM Processes

19.2 Chemical Machining 19.2 Chemical Machining ProcessesProcessesTypically involves metals, but ceramics

and glasses may be etchedMaterial is removed from a workpiece by

selectively exposing it to a chemical reagent or etchant◦ Gel milling- gel is applied to the workpiece in gel form.

◦ Maskant- selected areas are covered and the remaining surfaces are exposed to the etchant. This is the most common method of CHM.

MaskingMaskingSeveral different

methods◦ Cut-and-peel◦ Scribe-and-peel◦ Screen printing

Etch rates are slow in comparison to other NTM processes

Figure 19-1 Steps required to produce a stepped contour by chemical machining.

Defects in EtchingDefects in Etching

If baths are not agitated properly, defects result

Figure 19-2 Typical chemical milling defects: (a) overhang: deep cuts with improper agitation; (b) islands: isolated high spots from dirt, residual maskant, or work material inhomogeneity; (c) dishing: thinning in center due to improper agitation or stacking of parts in tank.

Advantages and Disadvantages Advantages and Disadvantages of Chemical Machiningof Chemical MachiningAdvantages

◦ Process is relatively simple

◦ Does not require highly skilled labor

◦ Induces no stress or cold working in the metal

◦ Can be applied to almost any metal

◦ Large areas◦ Virtually unlimited

shape◦ Thin sections

Disadvantages◦ Requires the handling

of dangerous chemicals

◦ Disposal of potentially harmful byproducts

◦ Metal removal rate is slow

19.3 Electrochemical Machining 19.3 Electrochemical Machining ProcessProcess

Electrochemical machining (ECM) removes material by anodic dissolution with a rapidly flowing electrolyte

The tool is the cathode and the workpiece is the anode

Figure 19-17 Schematic diagram of electrochemical machining process (ECM).

19.3 Electrochemical Machining 19.3 Electrochemical Machining ProcessProcess

Electrochemical machining (ECM) removes material by anodic dissolution with a rapidly flowing electrolyte

The tool is the cathode and the workpiece is the electrolyte

Figure 19-17 Schematic diagram of electrochemical machining process (ECM).

Advantages and Disadvantages Advantages and Disadvantages of Electrochemical Machiningof Electrochemical Machining

Advantages◦ ECM is well suited for

the machining of complex two-dimensional shapes

◦ Delicate parts may be made

◦ Difficult-to machine geometries

◦ Poorly machinable materials may be processed

◦ Little or no tool wear

Disadvantages◦ Initial tooling can

be timely and costly

◦ Environmentally harmful by-products

Electrical Discharge MachiningElectrical Discharge MachiningElectrical discharge machining (EDM)

removes metal by discharging electric current from a pulsating DC power supply across a thin interelectrode gap

The gap is filled by a dielectric fluid, which becomes locally ionized

Two different types of EDM exist based on the shape of the tool electrode◦ Ram EDM/ sinker EDM◦ Wire EDM

Figure 19-21 EDM or spark erosion machining of metal, using high-frequency spark discharges in a dielectric, between the shaped tool (cathode) and the work (anode). The table can make X-Y movements.

Figure 19-21 EDM or spark erosion machining of metal, using high-frequency spark discharges in a dielectric, between the shaped tool (cathode) and the work (anode). The table can make X-Y movements.

EDM ProcessesEDM Processes

Slow compared to conventional machining

Produce a matte surface

Complex geometries are possible

Often used in tool and die making

Figure 19-22 Schematic diagram of equipment for wire EDM using a moving wire electrode.

EDM ProcessesEDM Processes

Figure 19-24 (above) SEM micrograph of EDM surface (right) on top of a ground surface in steel. The spherical nature of debris on the surface is in

evidence around the craters (300 x).

Figure 19-23 (left) Examples of wire EDM workpieces made on NC machine (Hatachi).

Effect of Current on-time and Effect of Current on-time and Discharge Current on Crater SizeDischarge Current on Crater SizeMRR = (C I)/(Tm

1.23),Where MRR – material removal rate in in.3/min.; C – constant of proportionality equal to 5.08 in US customary units; I – discharge current in amps; Tm – melting temperature of workpiece material, 0F.

Example:A certain alloy whose melting point = 2,000 0F is to be

machined in EDM. If a discharge current = 25A, what is the expected metal removal rate?

MRR = (C I)/(Tm1.23) = (5.08 x 25)/(2,0001.23)

= 0.011 in.3/min.

The principles of metal

removal for EDM.

Effect of Current on-time and Effect of Current on-time and Discharge Current on Crater SizeDischarge Current on Crater Size

From Fig : we have the conclusions:◦ Generally higher duty cycles with higher currents and lower frequencies are used to maximize MRR.

◦ Higher frequencies and lower discharge currents are used to improve surface finish while reducing MRR.

◦ Higher frequencies generally cause increased tool wear.

Considerations for EDMConsiderations for EDMGraphite is the most widely used tool

electrodeThe choice of electrode material depends

on its machinability and coast as well as the desired MRR, surface finish, and tool wear

Four main functions of dielectric fluid:1) Electrical insulation2) Spark conductor3) Flushing medium4) Coolant

Advantages and Disadvantages Advantages and Disadvantages of EDMof EDM

AdvantagesApplicable to all

materials that are fairly good electrical conductors

Hardness, toughness, or brittleness of the material imposes no limitations

Fragile and delicate parts

DisadvantagesProduces a hard

recast surfaceSurface may

contain fine cracks caused by thermal stress

Fumes can be toxic

Electron and Ion MachiningElectron and Ion Machining Electron beam

machining (EBM) is a thermal process that uses a beam of high-energy electrons focused on the workpiece to melt and vaporize a metal

Ion beam machining (IBM) is a nano-scale machining technology used in the microelectronics industry to cleave defective wafers for characterization and failure analysis

Figure 19-26 Electron-beam machining uses a high-energy electron beam (109 W/in.2)

Laser-Beam MachiningLaser-Beam Machining

Laser-beam machining (LBM) uses an intensely focused coherent stream of light to vaporize or chemically ablate materials

Schematic diagram of a laser-beam machine, a thermal NTM process that can micromachine any material.

Plasma Arc Cutting (PAC)Plasma Arc Cutting (PAC)Uses a superheated stream of

electrically ionized gas to melt and remove material

The process can be used on almost any conductive material

PAC can be used on exotic materials at high rates

Plasma arc machining or cutting.