SOME ISSUES REGARDING THE ULTRA-MINIATURIZATION IN THE EDM FIELD BASED ON FINITE ELEMENT MODELLING

Abstract

The paper deals with concentrated energy (nonconventional) machining as technological response to ultra-miniaturization challenge, namely micromachining and even nanomachining. Electrical discharge machining (EDM) has proved the opportunity to decrease the machined surfaces dimensions in nanorange (1…999 nm) at lower costs than other nonconventional machining. The finite element modelling of EDM process demonstrated the possibility that a single discharge could create a crater whose transversal dimension is lower than 999 nm.