Energy Channelization Analysis of Rough Tools Developed by RM-MT-EDM Process during ECSM of Glass Substrates.

In the present work, the effect of tool surface roughness on energy channelization behavior was analyzed during the fabrication of micro holes by an electrochemical spark machining (ECSM) process. In this study, rough tools were fabricated by a rotary mode multi tip electric discharge machining (RM-MT-EDM) process. The electrical characterization was also carried out to investigate the electric field intensity over the surface of tool electrode, and it was found that the use of rough tools improves the electric field intensity by 265.54% in comparison to the smooth tool electrodes. The use of rough tools in the ECSM process forms thin and stable gas film over the tool electrode, and as a result the rough tools produced high frequency spark discharges. Energy channelization index and specific energy were considered as response characteristics. The use of rough tools improves energy channelization index by 248.40%, and the specific energy is reduced by 143.263%. The material removal mechanisms for both of the processes (RM-MT-EDM and ECSM process) have also been presented through illustrations.

Tool wear studies in fabrication of microchannels in ultrasonic micromachining.

Form accuracy of a machined component is one of the performance indicators of a machining process. Ultrasonic micromachining is one such process in which the form accuracy of the micromachined component significantly depends upon the form stability of tool. Unlike macromachining, a very small amount of tool wear in micromachining could lead to considerable changes in the form accuracy of the machined component. Appropriate selection of tool material is essential to overcome this problem. The present study discusses the effect of tool material, abrasive size and step feed in fabrication of microchannels by ultrasonic machining on borosilicate glass. Development of microchannels using ultrasonic micromachining were rarely reported. It was observed that tungsten carbide tool provided a better form accuracy in comparison to the microchannel machined by stainless steel tool. The tool wear mechanism in both materials is proposed by considering scanning electron micrographs of the tool as evidence. A one factor at a time approach was used to study the effect of various process parameters.