Parameter optimization of modern machining processes using teaching-learning-based optimization algorithm

Thorough literature review of various modern machining processes is presented in this paper. The main focus is kept on the optimization aspects of various parameters of the modern machining processes and hence only such research works are included in this work in which the use of advanced optimization techniques were involved. The review period considered is from the year 2006 to 2012. Various modern machining processes considered in this work are electric discharge machining, abrasive jet machining, ultrasonic machining, electrochemical machining, laser beam machining, micro-machining, nano-finishing and various hybrid and modified versions of these processes. The review work on such a large scale was not attempted earlier by considering many processes at a time, and hence, this review work may become the ready information at one place and it may be very useful to the subsequent researchers to decide their direction of research.

Optimization of modern machining processes using advanced optimization techniques: a review

High aspect ratio micro-hole drilling aided with ultrasonic vibration and planetary movement of electrode by micro-EDM

https://ro.uow.edu.au/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1759&context=eispapers1

A review of modern advancements in micro drilling techniques

There is a growing interest in the machining of micro-holes with high aspect-ratio in difficult-to-machine alloys for the aerospace industry. Processes based on electro discharge machining (EDM) and developed for the manufacture of both micro-electrode and micro-hole are actually used, but most of them involve micro-EDM machines. In this work, the influence of EDM parameters on material removal rate, electrode wear, machining time and micro-hole quality when machining Ti6Al4V is studied. Due to an inefficient removal of debris when increasing hole depth, a new strategy based on the use of helical-shaped electrodes has been proposed. The influence of helix angle and flute depth with respect to process performance has been addressed. Main results include 37% reduction in machining times (hole diameter 800 μm) when using electrode helix angle of 45° and flute-depth of 50 μm, and an additional 19% with flute-depth of 150 μm. Holes of 661 μm diameter and as much as 6.81 mm depth, which yields in aspect ratio of 10:1, have successfully been machined in Ti6Al4V.

Experimental study on micro EDM-drilling of Ti6Al4V using helical electrode

Electrochemical discharge machining (ECDM) is an emerging non-traditional processing technique that involves high-temperature melting and accelerated chemical etching under the high electrical energy discharged. However, there are still several obstacles to overcome. First, both machining time and hole entrance diameter were found to increase with increasing machining depth. In particular, the increase becomes drastic when machining depth exceeds 250 μm. In addition, achieving both high efficiency and accuracy in drilling a through hole in hard and brittle materials by ECDM poses even greater difficulty. To solve the above problems, this study proposed using a tool electrode with a spherical end whose diameter (150 μm) is larger than that of its cylindrical body (100 μm). Experimental results show that the curve surface of the spherical tool electrode reduces the contact area between the electrode and the workpiece, thus facilitating the flow of electrolyte to the electrode end, and enables rapid formation of gas film, resulting in efficient micro-hole drilling. Moreover, the curve surface does not cause excessive concentration of current density; and hence, bubbles grow at a more uniform speed; thus, increasing the discharge frequency. Comparison between machining depth of 500 μm achieved by conventional cylindrical tool electrode and the proposed spherical tool electrode shows that machining time was reduced by 83% while hole diameter was also decreased by 65%.

Enhancement of ECDM efficiency and accuracy by spherical tool electrode

Electrochemical discharge machining (ECDM) is an emerging non-traditional machining process that involves high-temperature melting assisted by accelerated chemical etching. In this study, the tool electrode (200 μm in diameter) is fabricated by wire electrical discharge grinding (WEDG). After the tool electrode is machined, the surface roughness of tool electrode materials (stainless steel, tungsten carbide, and tungsten) is different because of the physical properties. However, the surface roughness affects the wettability on tool electrode, and also changed the coalesce status of gas film in ECDM. Hence, this study explores the wettability and machining characteristics of different tool electrode materials and their impact on gas film formation. Their machining performance and extent of wear under gravity-feed micro-hole drilling are also examined. Experimental results show that the optimal voltage of different tool electrode can shed light on the machining performance. Moreover, wettability of tool electrode is determined by surface roughness of tool material, which in turn affects the coalesce status of gas film, machining stability and micro-hole diameter achieved. In addition, differences in tool material also results in variations in machining speed. Significant tool wear is observed after repeated gravity-feed machining of 50 micro-holes.

Effect of surface roughness of tool electrode materials in ECDM performance

This paper presents a novel process using micro-electro-discharge- machining (micro-EDM) combined with ultrasonic vibration by a helical micro-tool electrode to drill and finish micro-holes. During the machining processes, a micro-tool is directly fabricated by wire electro-discharge grinding (WEDG) using micro-EDM combined with various methods for machining the micro-hole and by ultrasonic vibration to finish the hole wall. In this work, circular micro-holes are machined in a high nickel alloy by cylindrical and helical electrodes. Using a helical micro-tool electrode for micro-EDM combined with ultrasonic vibration (HE-MEDM-UV) can substantially reduce the EDM gap, taper and machining time for deep micro-hole drilling. In addition, using a helical micro-tool with micro ultrasonic vibration finishing (HE-MUVF), good surface quality and less taper of the hole wall can be obtained by applying a suitable electrode step variation, rotational speed and ultrasonic amplitude with a machining time of approximately 25 min. According to scanning electron microscopy (SEM) micrographs and atomic force microscopy (AFM) measurement, HE-MUVF can indeed improve the surface roughness from 1.345 µm Rmax before finishing to 0.58 µm Rmax after HE-MUVF. This result demonstrates that using HE-MEDM-UV combined with MUVF can yield micro-holes of precise shape and smooth surface.

https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/0960-1317/16/12/025/pdf

Using a helical micro-tool in micro-EDM combined with ultrasonic vibration for micro-hole machining

This investigation presents using a microhelical tool as a novel solution in electrochemical microdrilling process to improve the machining accuracy and ability. Fluent CFD is adopted to analyze the flow field status in process. The inlet and outlet diameters of the microholes are 425 µm and 362 µm, respectively; the values are obtained using the conventional microsolid cylindrical tool. When the rotation speed of the helical tool is 20,000 rpm, and the pulse-off time is 90 µs, the inlet and outlet diameter significantly decline to 335 µm and 299 µm. The experimental results reveal that the accuracy of microhole shape can be significantly improved using the microhelical tool in a simple and low-cost way.

Jung Chou Hung

Papers

Enhancement of ECDM efficiency and accuracy by spherical tool electrode

Effect of surface roughness of tool electrode materials in ECDM performance

Using a helical micro-tool in micro-EDM combined with ultrasonic vibration for micro-hole machining

Improvement of electrochemical microdrilling accuracy using helical tool

Improvement of electrochemical microdrilling accuracy using helical tool