Sunday, June 23, 2019

Points Worth Noting On EDM Machining

By Frances Olson


With the introduction of electrical discharge, hard metal removal processes have been made quite subtler. This is out-rightly depicted by EDM machining, which is an excellent option for localized melting of metallic surfaces regardless of their hardness. It was introduced to efface off the inefficiency of grinding tools that could not machine hard metals like steel. It is thus the best choice in situations where it is tough to employ other methods.

An Electrical Discharge Machining process involves a sequence of non-stationary and timed electrical pulses to remove material on a surface. Both the electrode and the metallic work piece are held together by the machine equipment. The equipment also contains the dielectric liquid in which the charges flow. A power supply is also used to control both the timing and intensity of electrical charges generated as well as the electrode movement about a work piece.

The electrical discharge is initiated at the point where the electric field is sturdiest. This increases the velocity of cations which in return forms an ionization channel for the electric current to conduct through. In this discharge stage, the current flows freely to create a spark at the terminal of the electrode and work piece being machined. The spark plays a critical role in accelerating the collision rate of particles. This increases both the pressure and temperature to extremes.

The resulting high temperatures are felt only on localized surface regions which are melted to erode off a certain amount of work piece material. Once the melting is concluded, the flow of current is switched off to cause an instant temperature decrease. This triggers the bubbles to collapse, thus jetting the eroded materials away from the work piece to form a small hollow-like basin. The eroded materials are re-solidified in the dielectric to form small spheres which are removed by the liquid.

The electrode does not touch the work piece surface, and this makes Electrical Discharge Machining a non-contact process. This feature allows you to achieve tighter tolerances and improved finishes in a broad range of work pieces that could otherwise be difficult to machine with ancient methods. The feature accounts for its increasing usage in many fabrication firms.

Also, EDM technique is better placed compared to grinding and milling techniques. This is because it is mainstream and practical techniques which can machine desired shapes on hard metal surfaces. It is also used to make intricate designs on such metals. The method is commonly used to machine tungsten carbide, dies, steel mods as well as other toughened work pieces which are impossible with vintage techniques.

Nevertheless, the method has remediated various problems related to fabrication of exotic materials which are used in large quantities in aeronautical and aerospace industrial settings. Many industries are recently putting more emphases on sophisticating EDM facilities and reduction of electrode wear. These tactics are geared towards making the method more effective in contemporary machining processes.

Therefore, Electrical Discharge Machining is of great importance in various industrial settings which rely more on steel materials. The technique used by this cutting edge process is more sophisticated and thus yields exceptional results. The ancient milling and grinding techniques have been phased off by the introduction of EDM.




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