A method of forming a curved-shaped processing hole in a workpiece by electromechanical machining includes a step of feeding an electrolytic solution through an inner channel of a processing electrode and jetting the electrolytic solution from an outlet opening of the inner channel disposed on a tip surface of the processing electrode, a step of applying a potential difference between the processing electrode and the workpiece while jetting the electrolytic solution from the outlet opening of the processing electrode, and a step of forming the curved-shaped processing hole in the workpiece. In the jetting step, at least one of a current density distribution on the tip surface of the processing electrode or a flow velocity distribution of the electrolytic solution jetted from the outlet opening is eccentric to a downstream side of a curving direction of the processing hole with respect to an axial center of the tip surface.

A method of forming a curved-shaped processing hole in a workpiece by electromechanical machining includes a step of feeding an electrolytic solution through an inner channel of a processing electrode and jetting the electrolytic solution from an outlet opening of the inner channel disposed on a tip surface of the processing electrode, a step of applying a potential difference between the processing electrode and the workpiece while jetting the electrolytic solution from the outlet opening of the processing electrode, and a step of forming the curved-shaped processing hole in the workpiece. In the jetting step, at least one of a current density distribution on the tip surface of the processing electrode or a flow velocity distribution of the electrolytic solution jetted from the outlet opening is eccentric to a downstream side of a curving direction of the processing hole with respect to an axial center of the tip surface.

The invention relates to a method and a device for electrochemically processing a material, which contains a hard phase and a binder phase. The method comprises preparing an aqueous, alkaline, complexing-agent-containing electrolyte and bringing the material to be processed into contact at least in part with the electrolyte and with a current source. In order to electrochemically oxidize the material, a pulsed electrical current is delivered to the material by means of the current source, the pulse sequence of the delivered electrical current being adjusted to the amount of the binder phase in the material to be processed. By means of the method and by means of the device, it is also possible to process materials having a high content of binder phase in such a way that matter can be removed from the material evenly (homogeneously), i.e. both from the hard phase and from the binder phase of the material.

The invention relates to a method and a device for electrochemically processing a material, which contains a hard phase and a binder phase. The method comprises preparing an aqueous, alkaline, complexing-agent-containing electrolyte and bringing the material to be processed into contact at least in part with the electrolyte and with a current source. In order to electrochemically oxidize the material, a pulsed electrical current is delivered to the material by means of the current source, the pulse sequence of the delivered electrical current being adjusted to the amount of the binder phase in the material to be processed. By means of the method and by means of the device, it is also possible to process materials having a high content of binder phase in such a way that matter can be removed from the material evenly (homogeneously), i.e. both from the hard phase and from the binder phase of the material.

A method of forming a curved-shaped processing hole in a workpiece by electromechanical machining includes a step of feeding an electrolytic solution through an inner channel of a processing electrode and jetting the electrolytic solution from an outlet opening of the inner channel disposed on a tip surface of the processing electrode, a step of applying a potential difference between the processing electrode and the workpiece while jetting the electrolytic solution from the outlet opening of the processing electrode, and a step of forming the curved-shaped processing hole in the workpiece. In the jetting step, at least one of a current density distribution on the tip surface of the processing electrode or a flow velocity distribution of the electrolytic solution jetted from the outlet opening is eccentric to a downstream side of a curving direction of the processing hole with respect to an axial center of the tip surface.

A method of forming a curved-shaped processing hole in a workpiece by electromechanical machining includes a step of feeding an electrolytic solution through an inner channel of a processing electrode and jetting the electrolytic solution from an outlet opening of the inner channel disposed on a tip surface of the processing electrode, a step of applying a potential difference between the processing electrode and the workpiece while jetting the electrolytic solution from the outlet opening of the processing electrode, and a step of forming the curved-shaped processing hole in the workpiece. In the jetting step, at least one of a current density distribution on the tip surface of the processing electrode or a flow velocity distribution of the electrolytic solution jetted from the outlet opening is eccentric to a downstream side of a curving direction of the processing hole with respect to an axial center of the tip surface.

This paper describes an invention involving an electrochemical discharge-enabled micro-grinding process for micro-components of silicon-based materials. The specific machining method is described below. A micro-grinding tool and an auxiliary electrode are respectively connected to the negative and positive electrodes of a pulsed DC power supply. When the current flows through the loop, an electrochemical hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) occurs at the micro-grinding tool in the grinding fluid, which generate multiple hydrogen bubbles. The bubbles coalesce into an insulating gas film and separate the micro-grinding tool from the grinding fluid; when the critical voltage is reached, the gas film is broken down and an electrochemical discharge occurs accompanied by discharge spark; under the action of the discharge spark, the surface material of the workpiece in the discharge-affected region is directly ablated to generate a heat-affected layer (HAL), namely, physical modification.

This paper describes an invention involving an electrochemical discharge-enabled micro-grinding process for micro-components of silicon-based materials. The specific machining method is described below. A micro-grinding tool and an auxiliary electrode are respectively connected to the negative and positive electrodes of a pulsed DC power supply. When the current flows through the loop, an electrochemical hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) occurs at the micro-grinding tool in the grinding fluid, which generate multiple hydrogen bubbles. The bubbles coalesce into an insulating gas film and separate the micro-grinding tool from the grinding fluid; when the critical voltage is reached, the gas film is broken down and an electrochemical discharge occurs accompanied by discharge spark; under the action of the discharge spark, the surface material of the workpiece in the discharge-affected region is directly ablated to generate a heat-affected layer (HAL), namely, physical modification.

A method of controlling a working gap between one or more cathodic tools and an anodic workpiece in an electrochemical material dissolution process, the method comprising: providing a cathodic tool and an anodic workpiece defining a working gap therebetween, the cathodic tool and the workpiece being at least partially immersed in a conductive electrolyte solution; providing a negative electrical potential to the cathodic tool; monitoring one or more of the electrical potential, current, current density and charge between the cathodic tool and the anode to determine the working gap between the cathodic tool and the anode; and, controlling one or more process parameters to maintain one or more of the working gap and electrochemical working conditions between the cathodic tool and anodic workpiece at a targeted value.

A method of controlling a working gap between one or more cathodic tools and an anodic workpiece in an electrochemical material dissolution process, the method comprising: providing a cathodic tool and an anodic workpiece defining a working gap therebetween, the cathodic tool and the workpiece being at least partially immersed in a conductive electrolyte solution; providing a negative electrical potential to the cathodic tool; monitoring one or more of the electrical potential, current, current density and charge between the cathodic tool and the anode to determine the working gap between the cathodic tool and the anode; and, controlling one or more process parameters to maintain one or more of the working gap and electrochemical working conditions between the cathodic tool and anodic workpiece at a targeted value.