SOME TECHNOLOGICAL SOLUTIONS FOR ULTRASONIC AIDING OF MICRO-ELECTRICAL DISCHARGE MACHINING

Abstract

Ultra-miniaturization represents the major trend of technology and a permanent challenge nowadays. Due to steady increasing demand of miniaturization, further improvement of the process is required particularly concerning its capability to precisely manufacture complex structures with a smaller dimension. To facilitate high precision erosion, vibration is introduced in any of workpiece, tool and dielectric. This paper reviews the research work carried out by scientists on the effect of ultrasonic aiding of electrode tool, workpiece and dielectric liquid at micro-EDM. The paper reviews the influence of vibration frequency and amplitude on machining time – in the case of vibrated electrode at micro-EDM, the influence of ultrasonic power on MRR, TWR and hole taper – in the case of vibrated workpiece at micro-EDM, and the influence of powder concentration on MRR and surface quality – in the case of vibrated dielectric at micro-EDM. Some innovative solutions and optimization conditions are also presented aiming at technological performances at micro-EDM.