Electrical discharge machining (EDM) is one of the most promising non-traditional micro-scale machining methods. Because several operating parameters that are insignificant in macro EDM cannot be neglected during micro EDM process, models derived from the macro EDM process may be inappropriate at the micro scale. This paper contains a comprehensive review of size effects in traditional micro-machining and characteristics specific to micro EDM compared to macro EDM techniques. The very concept of size effects in micro EDM is thoroughly defined and three categories of effects are presented: material microstructure, processing parameter and thermal conduction size effects. Future potential research directions on the subject are also summarized. We assert that careful research and precise attention must be given to size effects in micro EDM. Size effect information especially benefits the machining speed and machining precision of micro EDM.

Review of size effects in micro electrical discharge machining

This paper discusses electrode wear changes under different operating conditions. A series of experiments were designed and conducted using an EDM machine tool with a rectangular pulse power supply. The phenomena of the cylinder electrode shape changes were abstracted from the experiments; the change mechanisms of the end face are discussed and verified by experimental data and interrelated theory. The results disclose that the shape of an electrode is subject to pulse-on time, discharge current density, and electrode polarity.

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Research on Shape Changes in Cylinder Electrodes Incident to Micro-EDM

High frequency pulse improves the machining efficiency of micro electric discharge machining (micro EDM), while it also brings some changes in micro EDM process. This paper focuses on the influence of skin-effect under the high frequency pulse on energy distribution and transmission in micro EDM, based on which, the rules of discharge probability of electrode end face are also analysed. On the basis of the electrical discharge process under the condition of high frequency pulse in micro EDM, COMSOL Multiphysics software is used to establish energy transmission model in micro electrode. The discharge energy distribution and transmission within tool electrode under different pulse frequencies, electrical currents, and permeability situation are studied in order to get the distribution pattern of current density and electric field intensity in the electrode end face under the influence of electrical parameters change. The electric field intensity distribution is regarded as the influencing parameter of discharge probability on the electrode end. Finally, MATLAB is used to fit the curve and obtain the distribution of discharge probability of electrode end face.

http://dro.deakin.edu.au/eserv/DU:30106946/rolfe-effectofhigh-2017.pdf

The Effect of High Frequency Pulse on the Discharge Probability in Micro EDM

Micro fabrication of freeform surface parts made of hard and brittle materials is always a tough job in micro machining field. This paper tries to fabricate freeform surface feature by using smooth surface of tool electrode after tool wear in micro EDM. According to the skin effect theory, the tool end shape in the stage of uniform wear can be changed by adjusting the frequency of discharge pulse. The electrical energy distributing rule of tool electrode section in RC circuit has been investigated under the influence of skin effect, and the law of spark location change has been summarized. The experimental studies demonstrate that different shapes of tool ends can be achieved by varying the pulse frequencies of discharge power supply. Additionally, a micro part of freeform surface feature with high precision and good surface quality has been successfully obtained by micro EDM through adopting the smooth surface after tool wear.

Meenakshi

Papers

Study on manufacturing freeform surface parts in micro EDM based on skin effect theory