Improvement of micro-EDM characteristics by applying ultrasonic vibration to machining fluid

The existence of debris in the inter-electrode area in micro-EDM interrupts the machining process. Applying ultrasonic vibration to the machining fluid helps circulate the machining fluid and remove the debris from the gap area, and thus reduce short-circuits and abnormal discharges. In this study, the effect of applying ultrasonic vibration to machining fluid in micro-EDM was experimentally investigated. It is found that a significant increase in the machining speed is realized by applying ultrasonic vibration. Also, with the vibration of the machining fluid, micro-hole drilling with ultra-small discharge energy becomes possible.