Research on Stagger Coupling Mode of Pulse Duration and Tool Vibration in Electrochemical Machining

Tuning the coupling of pulse duration and tool vibration in electrochemical machining (PVECM) is an effective method to improve machining accuracy and surface quality. In general, the pulse is set at the same frequency as the tool vibration, and a symmetrical distribution is attained at the minimum inter-electrode gap. To analyse the characteristics of the electrolyte fluid flow and of the electrolysis products in the oscillating inter-electrode gap, a dynamic simulation of the PVECM process was carried out. The simulation results indicated that the electrolyte pressure and gas void fraction when the pulse arrived as the inter-electrode gap was narrowing clearly differed from those when the inter-electrode gap was expanding. Therefore, in addition to the traditional symmetry coupling mode, two other coupling modes called the pre-position and the post-position coupling modes are proposed which use a pulse either just before or just after the minimum inter-electrode gap. Comparative experiments involving the feed rate and machining localization were carried out to evaluate the influence of the three coupling modes. In addition, current waveforms were recorded to analyse the differences between the three coupling modes. The results revealed that the highest feed rate and the best machining localization were achieved by using the pre-position coupling mode.