Unconventional Machining Processes
Unconventional Machining Processes
With the development of new materials more and more challenges are
faced by scientists
Conventional Machining processes there is physical contact between
tool and work piece.
In Unconventional no direct physical contact so tool need not be
harder than work.
Unconventional machining processes harness energy sources
considered unconventional by yesterday's standards.
Material removal is accomplished using electrical, chemical,
mechanical and light energies
During the last 55 years over 20 different non-traditional
manufacturing processes have been invented and used successfully
ULTRASONIC MACHINING
ELECTROCHEMICAL MACHINING
Process
Applications
Ultrasonic machining
Process
Applications
Electrochemical machining
ULTRASONIC MACHINING(USM)
Frequency: 20 KHz
Amplitude: 15-20m
power
supply ~
Transducer
Nozzle
Abrasive
slurry
Principle of Working:
Principle of Working:
In AJM a high velocity jet of dry air or some other gas mixed
with abrasive particles is directed at the work piece.
The material removal is due to brittle fracture caused by
impinging abrasive grains at high speed
The abrasive particles are contained in mixing chamber,
compressed air is supplied to the chamber.
The chamber is vibrated and amplitude of vibrations controls
the flow of abrasive particles. From the chamber the stream of
abrasives is directed to the workpiece through a nozzle.
To resist abrasion and wear, nozzles are made up of Tungsten
carbide and synthetic sapphire.
Large size Abrasive grains used for rapid removal rate
Smaller size for good surface finish and precision.
Material removal rate depends on: Dia of nozzle, abrasives
composition, velocity of jet, distance of workpiece from nozzle
tip
Principle of Working:
Material removal takes place due to melting and evaporation caused
by high temperature electric spark struck between cathode and anode
Material removal rate and resulting surface finish is controlled by
proper variation in the energy and duration of spark discharge
For improving effectiveness the workpiece and the tool are
submerged in a dielectric fluid (like mineral oil, kersone)
It has been observed that if both the electrodes are made of same
material , the electrode connected to positive terminal generally erodes
at a faster rate. For this reason the workpiece is normally made anode.
The main elements of the setup include, power supply source (DC),
dielectric medium, tool, workpiece, servocontrol unit to maintain
sparkgap
Tool material: brass, copper,graphite
Dielectric uses are two fold: (i) to flush away the chips at machining
zone (ii) to increase the material removal rate
Typical parts made by electrochemical machining. (a) Turbine blade made of nickel
alloy of 360 HB. Note the shape of the electrode on the right. (b) Thin slots on a 4340steel roller-bearing cage. (c) Integral airfoils on a compressor disk.
(a) Two total knee replacement systems showing metal implants (top pieces)
with an ultra-high molecular-weight polyethylene insert (bottom pieces). (b)
Cross-section of the ECM process as applies to the metal implant. Source:
Courtesy of Biomet, Inc.
Laser-Beam
Machining
(LBM)
Principle of working:
Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation
LASER beam is highly coherent, monochromatic and it can be
focused to a very small diameter and can produce very high power
density
The setup for producing laser consists of a coiled xenon flash tube
placed around the ruby rod and the internal surface of the container
walls is made highly reflecting so that maximum light falls on the ruby
rod for the pumping operation
The emitted laser beam is focused by a lens system and focused
beam meets the working surface removing a small portion of the
material by melting & vaporization
Since the energy released by the flash tube is much more than the
energy transmitted by the laser head, the system must be properly
cooled
Principle of working:
Thermal Process
A stream of high speed electrons impinges on the work surface
whereby the kinetic energy transferred to the work material producing
intense heating leading to melting and vaporization of work
The complete EBM setup is enclosed in a vacuum chamber else the
beam of electrons will collide with air molecules and will scatter.
The electrons are emitted from the cathode (a hot tungsten filament) ,
the beam is shaped by the grid cup and the electrons are accelerated due
to a large potential difference between the cathode and anode
The beam is focused with the help of electromagnetic lenses. The
deflecting coils are used to control the beam movement in any
required manner
The process of heating by an electron beam can depending on the
intensity be used for annealing, welding or metal removal.
A suitable viewing device is incorporated to enable the operator to
observe the progress of the machining operation