Characteristics Investigation of ECM with Electrolyte Suction Tool with Built-in Auxiliary Anode for Narrowing Current Area

Abstract

The suction tool was applied to the electrochemical machining due to the characteristics of its restrained electrolyte flow. In this paper, a new suction tool with built-in auxiliary anode is designed and applied to electrochemical machining. Since the function of the built-in auxiliary anode is to further constrain the electric field and lead to a narrower current area in the inter-electrode gap in addition to the constrained electrolyte flow, higher machining precision can be achieved. Based on the tool structure, the numerical simulation of electric field is carried out to show the effectiveness of the new tool. The machining characteristics of the new tool are also experimentally investigated.