• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Precision Engineering Conference
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• 2005.06a
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• pp.422-425
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• 2005

This study predicts the heat-affected zone (HAZ) after electrical discharge machining. To predict HAZ, the temperature distribution is calculated using FEM. Heat flux is calculated from electrical energy, and it can be assumed Gaussian distribution. Plasma channel expands as time goes. Copper and NAK80 are used as the workpiece material. The depth of HAZ in simulation is determined by temperature distribution. The simulation results were compared with a developed actual single discharge crater. Through investigating the cross section of simulated & actual craters, the depth of HAZ in simulation and experiment are compared. Simulation model can predict the crater shape.

• International Journal of Precision Engineering and Manufacturing
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.3-10
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• 2008

Micro-electrical discharge machining (micro-EDM) is an effective method for machining all types of conductive materials regardless of hardness. Since micro-EDM is an electro-thermal process, the energy supplied by the pulse generator is an important factor in determining the effectiveness of the process. In this study, an investigation was conducted on the micro-EDM of tungsten carbide (WC) to compare the performance of transistor and resistance/capacitance (RC) pulse generators in obtaining the best quality micro-hole. The performance was measured by the machining time, material removal rate, relative tool wear ratio, surface quality, and dimensional accuracy. The RC generator was more suited for minimizing the pulse energy, which is a requirement for fabricating micro-parts. The smaller-sized debris formed by the low-discharge energy of RC micro-EDM could be easily flushed away from the machined zone, resulting in a surface free of burrs and resolidified molten metal. The RC generator also required much less time to obtain the same quality micro-hole in WC. Therefore, RC generators are better suited for fabricating micro-structures, producing good surface quality and better dimensional accuracy than the transistor generators, despite their higher relative tool wear ratio.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Manufacturing Technology Engineers
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.180-186
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• 2011

This paper describes a micro electrical discharge machining (MEDM) technique that uses an insulated tool in combination with ultrasonic vibration to drill micro holes. As the machining depth becomes deeper, the dispersion of debris and circulation of the dielectric fluid are difficult to occur. Consequently, machining becomes unstable in the machining region and unnecessary electrochemical dissolution and secondary discharge sparking occur at the tool side face. To reduce the amount of unnecessary side machining, an insulated tool was used. Ultrasonic vibration was applied to the MEDM work fluid to better remove debris. Through these methods, a $1000\;{\mu}m$ thick stainless steel plate was machined by using a $73\;{\mu}m$ diameter electrode. The diameters of the hole entrance and exit were $96\;{\mu}m$ and $88\;{\mu}m$, respectively. It took only 351s to completely drill one hole.

• The Transactions of the Korean Institute of Electrical Engineers C
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• v.53 no.9
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• pp.488-493
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• 2004

In this paper, we present the fabrication of copper electrode array and test of electrochemical discharge machining(ECDM) for glass machining. An array of 72 Cu electrodes is used to machine Borofloat33 glass. The height and diameter of a Cu electrode are 400 $\mu\textrm{m}$ and 100 $\mu\textrm{m}$ respectively. It is fabricated by ICP-RIE, Au-Au thermo-compression bonding, and copper electroplating. Borofloat33 glass is machined by the fabricated copper electrode array in 60 seconds at 55 V. The surface roughness of the machined glass is measured and the machined glass is anodically bonded with silicon.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Precision Engineering
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.181-187
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• 2014

Micro patterns are used to maximize the performance and efficiency of the product in many industries such as energy, display, printing, biology, etc. Nowadays, the fabrication technology for micro patterns has been developed in various ways such as photolithography, laser machining, electrical discharge machining and mechanical machining. Recently, mechanical machining the size of smaller than 1 micrometer could be tried, because the technology related to the machining was developed brilliantly. This paper shows the experiments using cutting processes in order to fabricate the micro pattern. Micro patterns of the size of several micrometers were machined by the diamond tools of two different shape, the deformation and generation of burr were investigated.

• International Journal of Precision Engineering and Manufacturing
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.45-49
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• 2007

When drilling using electrical-discharge machining (EDM), severe electrode wear makes in-process measurements of the depth of the drilled hole and the volume of material removed impossible. To estimate the volume of material removed a reliable real-time discharge pulse counting method is proposed by assuming that the volume removed in EDM is proportional to the number of discharge pulses from an iso-energy pulse generator. The geometry of machined holes, including depths and cross-sectional profiles, is estimated using geometric analysis. A proportional relationship between the volume of material removed and the number of discharge pulses was developed and verified by experiments.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Precision Engineering
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• v.20 no.7
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• pp.227-232
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• 2003

In order to make a deep and precise micro-hole, electrode wear and clearance between the electrode and the workpiece are important parameters using micro-electrical discharge machining. In this study, experiments were carried out to show the characteristics of electrode wear and radial clearance with respect to the depth of machined hole. Electrode wear varied with respect to the depth of hole. With deeper machined hole, bigger clearance was observed. Also it was found that the diameter of electrode influences machining characteristics of deep holes.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Manufacturing Process Engineers
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• v.4 no.4
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• pp.7-13
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• 2005

In the case of fabricating micro pole structures such as column, square-pole and gear shaft by the micro end-milling process, it can be useful in the fields of industry, for example, micro parts, electrode for electrical discharge machining and micro mold for injection molding. In this study, machining factors and the process were analyzed. Machining experiments of various micro pole configurations were performed. Analysis of the change and effect of the cutting force according to the machining conditions was carried out. An analytical study of the deformation of the micro pole caused cutting conditions and cutting force through the finite element method and ANSYS program was carried out. As a result, this research presented a method of fabricating the column pole of below $100{\mu}m$ diameter with high aspect ratio by using micro end-milling process, and based on that, a method of fabricating a variety of applicable structures. Also the minimum size of the pole capable of fabricating through theory and experiment were demonstrated.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Precision Engineering Conference
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• 2011.06a
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• pp.235-236
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• 2011

• International Journal of Precision Engineering and Manufacturing
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.74-78
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• 2008

High-speed tool steels are extensively used in tooling industries for manufacturing cutting tools, forming tools, and rolls. Electrical discharge machining (EDM) has been found to be an effective process for machining these extremely hard and difficult-to-cut materials. Extensive research has been conducted to identify the optimum machining parameters for EDM with different tool steels. This paper presents a fundamental study of the surface characteristics of SKH-51 tool steel machined by micro-EDM, with particular focus on obtaining a better surface finish. An RC pulse generator was used to obtain a better surface finish as it produces fine discharge craters. The main operating parameters studied were the gap voltage and the capacitance while the resistance and other gap control parameters were kept constant. A negative tungsten electrode was used in this study. The micro-EDM performance was analyzed by atomic force microscopy to determine the average surface roughness and the distance between the highest peak and lowest valley. The topography of the machined surface was observed using a scanning electron microscope and a digital optical microscope.