• Journal of the Korean Society of Manufacturing Process Engineers
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.28-35
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• 2013

Micro electrical discharge machining (EDM) as a non-contact machining process is very effective for micromachining with a thin electrode because of its low machining reaction force. The micro-electrode machining device has the advantage of maintaining high precision through the whole processes and uses a feeding wire in the thin electrode tool manufacturing process. This study describes the design and evaluation of a micro-electrode machining device using optical photo-interrupter. The electrode was fabricated by reverse electrical discharge machining. The performance of designed system was evaluated to measure tension force according to feed speed of wire. This system for micro electrode fabrication proves the feasibility in the micro-EDM process of the micro holes and parts for industrial applications.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Manufacturing Process Engineers
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.149-156
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• 2017

Graphene nanoplatelet (GNP)-reinforced alumina ($Al_2O_3$) is a promising material for micro-partapplications, particularly micro-nozzle shapes, because of its excellent wearresistance. In this study, a $Al_2O_3$/GNPcomposite with 15 vol% graphene nanoplatelets (GNP) was highly densified and fabricated via spark plasma sintering for micro-electrical discharge drilling (Micro-ED drilling) and the wear resistance property of the composite is evaluated via the ball-on-disk method. In addition, the diameter and shape of the micro-electrodes machined by wire electrical discharge grinding (WEDG), block electrical discharge grinding (BEDG), and new linear block moving electrical discharge grinding (LBMEDG) methods are systematically compared and analyzed to observe the micro-hole machining in the micro-ED drilling of the $Al_2O_3$/15vol% GNP composite.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Machine Tool Engineers Conference
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• 2005.05a
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• pp.407-412
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• 2005

For micro electrochemical machining (ECM), tool electrodes with various sizes and shapes are necessary. In this paper, tool electrodes were fabricated by micro electrical discharge machining (EDM). Electrode material is tungsten carbide which has high rigidity and good conductivity for micro electrochemical machining. Disk-type and sphere-type electrodes were fabricated to prevent taper shape of side walls or to produce spherical features. Various 3D micro structures were fabricated by electrochemical milling with developed electrodes.

• Transactions of Materials Processing
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• v.21 no.5
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• pp.312-318
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• 2012

With an increasing trend toward miniaturization, electrical discharge machining(EDM) has been receiving a lot of attention as a suitable production technology for micro-parts, since it enables the machining of hard conductive materials with a high degree of repeatability and without alteration to the material. When a micro-hole is fabricated by EDM, however, the diameter of the inlet hole is larger than that of the outlet region due to the additional discharge effect caused by the eroded particles. In this paper, a shot blasting surface treatment, in which an abrasive material is accelerated through a pressurized nozzle and directed at the surface of a part, is suggested as an effective method to reduce the tapered shape of EDM micro-hole. In addition, the influence of process parameters such as spark-on time and electrode diameter on the machining performance was investigated. It is shown quantitatively that the difference in diameter between the inlet and outlet holes decreases with the shot blasting treatment and with decreasing spark-on time.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Precision Engineering
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• v.26 no.10
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• pp.108-115
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• 2009

Although nanosecond pulsed laser drilling and milling are rapid and non-wear processes in micromachining, the quality cannot meet the precision standard due to the recast layer and heat affected zone. On the other hand, electrical discharge machining (EDM) is a well-known high precision machining process in micro scale; however, the low material removal rate (MRR) and tool wear remain as drawbacks. In this paper, hybrid process of laser beam machining (LBM) using nanosecond pulsed laser and micro EDM was studied for micro drilling and milling. While the quality of the micro structure fabricated by this hybrid process remains as high as direct EDM, the machining time and tool wear can be reduced. In addition, variable depth of layer was introduced as an effective method improving efficiency of hybrid milling.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Manufacturing Process Engineers
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• v.13 no.6
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• pp.119-126
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• 2014

Micro-holes of conductive ceramic are required in micro structures. Micro-electrical discharge machining (Micro-EDM) is an effective machining method since EDM is as process for shaping hard metals and complex-shaped holes by spark erosion in all kinds of electro-conductive materials. However, as the depth of micro hole increases, the machining condition becomes more unstable due to inefficient removal of debris between the electrode and the workpiece. In this paper, micro-EDM was performed to evaluate machining characteristic such as electrode wear, machining time, taper angle, radial clearance with varying voltage and ultrasonic vibration on 10 vol.% Carbon-nanotube reinforced conductive $Al_2O_3$ composite fabricated by spark plasma sintering in previous research.

• International Journal of Precision Engineering and Manufacturing
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.22-26
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• 2008

The use of electrical discharge machining (EDM) for micro-machining applications requires particular attention to the machined surface roughness and discharge gap distance, as these factors affect the geometrical accuracy of micro-parts. Previous studies of conventional EDM have shown that selected types of semi-conductive and non-conductive powder suspended in the dielectric reduced the surface roughness while ensuring a limited increase in the gap distance. Based on this, an extension of the technique to micro-EDM was studied Such work is necessary since the introduction of nanopowders suspended in the dielectric is not well understood. The experimental results showed that a statistically significant reduction in the surface roughness value was achieved at particular concentrations of the powder additives, depending on the powder material and the machining input energy setting. The average reduction in surface roughness using a powder suspended dielectric was between 14-24% of the average surface roughness generated using a pure dielectric. Furthermore, when these additive concentrations were used for machining, no adverse increase in the gap distance was observed.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Precision Engineering
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• v.22 no.7 s.172
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• pp.47-53
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• 2005

Microholes with high aspect ratio are required in microstructures. Among various methods for producing the microhole, micro electrical discharge machining (MEDM) is very effective and useful process. But, it is difficult to machine the high aspect ratio holes below $100\;{\mu}m$ in diameter because machining condition becomes unstable due to bad removal of debris at deep hole. In this paper, ultrasonic vibration is applied to MEDM work fluid to make a high aspect ratio micro hole. It is shown that the vibration is effective in circulating the debris and increasing the machining rate. As a result, produced was a micro hole with $92\;{\mu}m$ entrance diameter, $81\;{\mu}m$ exit diameter and aspect ratio 23.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Precision Engineering
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• v.22 no.11 s.176
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• pp.159-164
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• 2005

For increasing productivity of micro electrochemical machining (MECM), the application of multiple electrodes was introduced. The electrodes were fabricated by reverse electrical discharge machining (REDM). By REDM micro electrodes with various shapes can be machined easily. According to capacitance and applied voltage, machining characteristics of reverse EDM were investigated and the optimal conditions for stable machining were suggested. By using multiple electrodes and a channel-shape electrode, holes and channels were machined on stainless steel by ECM.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Precision Engineering
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• v.20 no.12
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• pp.191-197
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• 2003

As mechanical components are miniaturized, the demand on micro die and mold is increasing. Micro mechanical components usually have high hardness and good conductivity. So micro electrical discharge machining (MEDM) is an effective way to machine those components. In micro cavity fabrication using MEDM, it is observed that the bottom surface of cavity is distorted. Electric charges tend to be concentrated at the sharp edge. At the center of the bottom surface, debris can not be drawn off easily. These two phenomena make the bottom surface of the electrode and workpiece distort. As machining depth increases, the distorted shape of electrode approaches hemisphere. This process is affected by capacitance and the size of electrode. By using a smaller electrode than the desired cavity size and appropriate tool movement, bottom shape distortion can be prevented.