Research and Development of ECM Tool with Functions of Machining Area Confinement and Gap-width Detection

2014 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 25630021
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Exploratory Research
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Production engineering/Processing studies
• Research Institution: Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology
• Principal Investigator: NATSU Wataru 東京農工大学, 工学(系)研究科(研究院), 教授 (40345335)
• Project Period (FY): 2013-04-01 – 2015-03-31
• Keywords: 電解加工 / 形状創成 / 電解液 / 工具 / 吸引 / 極間検出 / 工具送り制御 / 流体解析

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In this study, a novel electrolyte suction tool was proposed in order to fundamentally overcome the fatal drawbacks of electrochemical machining (ECM); the low machining accuracy and the negative impact on the environment. The electrolyte is circulated through two hollow areas constructed by two concentric pipes, and the gap area between the tool electrode and workpiece, by a single suction pump. In this way, not only the confinement of electrolyte flow, but also the gap-width detection according to the pressure in the suction tube can be realized. This proposed tool is also applicable to the small lot production of many products, which are not suitable for conventional ECM with a formed electrode.

Free Research Field

生産加工