An experimental research on a kind of distributed-flushing ED milling

Abstract

In order to reduce the electrode wear and increase the material removal, this paper proposed a kind of distributed-flushing ED milling. A rotating electrode with some distributed holes was used during the machining process. The distributed flushing developed the machining environment and increased the adhesion of debris on the electrode, thus decreasing the electrode wear rate. Compared with the material removal rate of conventional ED milling, the relative electrode wear ratio decreased by 10.7 %. Furthermore, the material removal rate of the new method increased by 21.1 %. The effects of rotating speed, peak current, pulse duration, pulse interval, and tool electrode polarity on machining performance, including material removal rate, relative electrode wear ratio, and surface roughness were researched to determine the characteristics of the new process.