Title: Investigation of material removal rate in micro electrochemical machining with lower frequency vibration on workpiece

Authors: Zhuang Liu; Hongjin Zhang; Huaqing Chen; Yongbin Zeng

Addresses: College of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, 29 Yudao Street, Nanjing 210016, China ' College of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, 29 Yudao Street, Nanjing 210016, China ' College of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, 29 Yudao Street, Nanjing 210016, China ' College of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, 29 Yudao Street, Nanjing 210016, China

Abstract: Micro electrochemical machining with applying lower frequency vibration on workpiece is capable to eject reaction products away from electrodes' end faces. This helps the electrolyte field within machining zone to maintain stable conductivity and hence assists the process to achieve a higher material removal rate (MRR). In this study, the mechanism of stabilising electrolyte conductivity within machining zone by using lower frequency vibration on workpiece has been analysed. A series of micro holes have been machined on the 321SS plate by the presented device so as to evaluate the effect of vibration on MRR. The results showed that the amplitude (3-14 µm) and frequency (50-200 Hz) influenced the MRR significantly. The lower the frequency is, the more markedly the MRR is improved. The MRR reached the maximum among the machining results when vibration frequency and amplitude were 50 Hz and 12 µm.

Keywords: micromachining; microelectrochemical machining; micro ECM; material removal rate; MRR; lower frequency vibration; electrochemical machining; electrolyte conductivity.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMMM.2013.055131

International Journal of Machining and Machinability of Materials, 2013 Vol.14 No.1, pp.91 - 104

Received: 21 Jun 2012
Accepted: 28 Oct 2012
Published online: 26 Dec 2013 *

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