Electrochemical Machining (ECM)
Electrochemical machining (ECM) is a metal-removal process based on
the principle of reverse electroplating. In this process, particles travel
from the anodic material (workpiece) toward the cathodic material
(machining tool). A current of electrolyte fluid carries away the depleted
material before it has a chance to reach the machining tool. The cavity
produced is the female mating image of the tool shape.
Figure 1: ECM process
Similar to EDM, the workpiece hardness is not a factor, making ECM
suitable for machining difficult-to –machine materials. Difficult shapes
can be made by this process on materials regardless of their hardness.
A schematic representation of ECM process is shown in Figure 8. The
ECM tool is positioned very close to the workpiece and a low voltage,
high amperage DC current is passed between the workpiece and
electrode.
, Some of the shapes made by ECM process is shown in Figure 2.
Equipment used in ECM:
Schematic diagram of a electro chemical drilling unit
Material removal rate (MRR) is an important characteristic to evaluate efficiency of a
non-traditional machining process.
In ECM, material removal takes place due to atomic dissolution of work material.
Electrochemical dissolution is governed by Faraday's laws.
Electrochemical machining (ECM) is a metal-removal process based on
the principle of reverse electroplating. In this process, particles travel
from the anodic material (workpiece) toward the cathodic material
(machining tool). A current of electrolyte fluid carries away the depleted
material before it has a chance to reach the machining tool. The cavity
produced is the female mating image of the tool shape.
Figure 1: ECM process
Similar to EDM, the workpiece hardness is not a factor, making ECM
suitable for machining difficult-to –machine materials. Difficult shapes
can be made by this process on materials regardless of their hardness.
A schematic representation of ECM process is shown in Figure 8. The
ECM tool is positioned very close to the workpiece and a low voltage,
high amperage DC current is passed between the workpiece and
electrode.
, Some of the shapes made by ECM process is shown in Figure 2.
Equipment used in ECM:
Schematic diagram of a electro chemical drilling unit
Material removal rate (MRR) is an important characteristic to evaluate efficiency of a
non-traditional machining process.
In ECM, material removal takes place due to atomic dissolution of work material.
Electrochemical dissolution is governed by Faraday's laws.
