HYBRID MICRO-MACHINING PROCESSES WITH ULTRASONIC ASSISTANCE: A REVIEW

Abstract

The paper deals with the main nonconventional hybrid micro-machining processes with ultrasonic assistance, starting from basic nonconventional technologies. In introduction, some hybrid processes were presented, like vibration, laser, fluid, magnetic and external electric fields, or carbon nanofibre assisted micro-machining. The study details the means of ultrasonic vibrations were applied, i.e., by vibrating the tool, workpiece or working fluid, and also the effect on output (technological) process parameters, mainly the machinability and removal rate for specific machined material. A comparison was made between the results obtained using classic electrical discharge machining (EDM) and ultrasonically aided EDM (EDM+US). In this case, the surface roughness, the machining rate, and the volumetric relative wear were studied. Finally, the advantages and disadvantages were exposed, and some solutions of output technological parameters for further improvement.