EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATIONS INTO ECSD PROCESS USING VARIOUS TOOL KINEMATICS

Machining of electrically non-conducting materials, i.e. ceramics, com posites, etc., is still a major problem. Electrochemical spark machini ng (ECSM) is found to be a potential process for machining these mater ials. However, ECSM has its own inherent problems too. So far, only no n-rotational tools with gravity feed have been used by previous resear chers, but the performance of such tools has been reported to be poor. In the present work, electrochemical spark drilling (ECSD) experiment s have been conducted using various tool kinematics with a view to enh ancing the process capabilities. Use of a rotational tool with control led feed has been found to improve the process performance. Significan t improvement in the ''limiting value'' of the machined depth during E CSD has been observed while using a tool with orbital motion. Geometri cal parameters and surface integrity of the machined specimens have al so been studied and presented. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.