Effect of Electrode Insulation Thickness on Size Accuracy of Bored Hole in ECD Process

Abstract

. Electrochemical drilling (ECD) is a versatile process for drilling meso/micro size holes in hard-to-machine metals. Electrode insulation plays a significant part in improving ECD localization and accuracy. Electric field simulation of the side gap shows the current distribution varies remarkably with the size of insulation layer shape. Experiments are carried out to study the influence of insulation thickness (IT) on the machined hole characteristics. Poor hole was observed and identified as most likely to o…