Shun Tong Chen

Development of a high precision tabletop versatile CNC wire-EDM for making intricate micro parts

The micro-electrical discharge machining (micro-EDM) process has been proved to be appropriate for making 3D micro parts that are difficult and even impossible to manufacture by other processes. In this paper a high precision tabletop CNC wire electrical discharge machine (wire EDM) designed specifically for machining complex shape micro parts or structures is developed. In the machine developed, a novel micro-wire-cutting mechanism is designed, an approach to control wire tension by magnetic force is proposed and a servo feed control strategy, in accordance with the measured gap voltage, is designed and implemented. To verify the functions and capabilities of the machine developed, several thick micro outer and internal spur gears and rack are machined. It shows that the taper angle along the wall or cavity of a part that appears when other micro-EDM processes are applied can be avoided. A very good dimensional accuracy of 1 µm and a surface finish of Rmax equal to 0.64 µm are achieved. The satisfactory cutting of a miniature 3D pagoda with a micro-hooked structure also reveals that the machine developed is versatile, and can be used as a new tool for making intricate micro parts.

Fabrication of high aspect ratio microstructure arrays by micro reverse wire-EDM

In this paper, a machining technique to fabricate high aspect ratio microstructure arrays of a total volume less than 1 mm3 is developed. A method for determining the appropriate tension of the micro brass wire of the micro wire-EDM mechanism designed in our previous study is proposed, and a design for suppressing the vibration of the wire is implemented. In addition, a machining approach coined reverse wire-EDM is developed. The micro wire-EDM mechanism is mounted on the worktable rather than on the machine head while the micro workpiece is clamped on the spindle instead of the worktable by a micro chuck. Machining is carried out by a horizontal moving micro brass wire of 20 ?m diameter located beneath the micro workpiece to accelerate the removal of debris and to eliminate the heat accumulated in the micro gap during machining. The possible occurrence of short circuit discharge and thermal deformation of the machined part are therefore minimized. Experiments are conducted to machine various high aspect ratio miniature structures including a microstructure array of ten 10 ?m sharp-edge lamellae at the tip, a microstructure array of ten 10 ?m uniform thickness lamellae and a microstructure array of ten by ten 21 ?m squared pillars. It is found that a microstructure array of an aspect ratio more than 33 is satisfactorily and precisely fabricated. The dimensional accuracy and geometric accuracy are less than 0.6 and 1.0 ?m, respectively, while the surface roughness Rmax is kept within 0.44 ?m.

A high-efficiency approach for fabricating mass micro holes by batch micro EDM

This work is a follow-up study based on previous research. The study presents a novel approach for effective production of mass micro holes. Initially, a set of micro w-EDM mechanisms is designed and mounted on the developed precise tabletop CNC machine tool to fabricate the micro electrode array. The tension of the micro wire is precisely controlled by a magnetic force. Furthermore, micro vibrations of the wire during discharging are effectively suppressed by the developed vibration suppression system. To fabricate the mass micro holes, a microstructure array with a high-aspect ratio of 10 × 10 micro squared electrodes, width and height of 21 µm and 700 µm, respectively, for each electrode and 24 µm spacing between two electrodes is fabricated first by using the proposed reverse w-EDM machining strategy. The electrodes array is directly utilized to drill the mass micro holes by bath micro EDM on the same machine. An array of 900 through-holes of the same size is successfully fabricated via the modified peck-drilling method on a 30 µm thick stainless-steel plate. A tip at the free end of the micro electrode is designed and fabricated as a circular-pyramid shape. Experimental results verified that the spiky end form eliminates debris adhering to the edges of the micro holes. Analytical results demonstrate satisfactory hole geometric accuracy, dimensional accuracy and surface roughness. Furthermore, mass micro holes can be fabricated efficiently using the proposed technique.

Fabrication of high-density micro holes by upward batch micro EDM

A large number of micro holes are needed for biomedical parts, ink-jet nozzles and micro droplet spraying parts. In this study, an inexpensive machining approach for producing a batch of micro holes is proposed. A set of previously introduced w-EDM mechanisms is employed to horizontally cut the batch micro electrodes precisely. Through the process arrangement, the micro electrodes and workpiece are not unloaded, repositioned and re-corrected until all the tasks are completed. The micro workpiece is clamped onto the specially designed jig and moved above the micro electrodes to perform machining of the mass micro holes by upward batch micro EDM. The entire procedure is carried out on a developed multifunctional tabletop CNC machine tool. An array of 400 through holes of the identical sizes is successfully fabricated on a stainless-steel plate with a thickness of 30 µm by using the modified peck-drilling method. Experimental results confirmed that the proposed approach could accelerate the removal of debris, reduce the occurrence of abnormal discharges and decrease the machining time.

Study of an ultrafine w-EDM technique

A precision ultrafine w-EDM (wire electrical discharge machining) technique specifically for machining intricate parts and structures is developed in this paper. A thumb-sized and versatile w-EDM device equipped with a complete control system for wire tension (ultrafine tungsten wire of 13 µm diameter) is designed and employed for the study of ultrafine w-EDM. The tension of the wire electrode is controlled by magnetic repulsive force to steady the wire during machining. Ultrafine wire cutting can be conducted in vertical-, horizontal- or slantwise-wire arrangements. Via some experiments, optimal machining conditions including discharge capacitance, feed rate, wire tension and the appropriate design for the w-EDM device are obtained. Two miniature samples including a micro of Taipeis landmark 101 building and a micro relay are fabricated and the feasibility of the proposed approach is verified. It is confirmed that the ultrafine w-EDM technique using an ultrafine tungsten wire of 13 µm was realized successfully.

Fabrication of a miniature diamond grinding tool using a hybrid process of micro-EDM and co-deposition

A novel miniature diamond grinding tool usable for the precise micro-grinding of miniature parts is presented. A hybrid process that combines micro-EDM with precision co-deposition is proposed. The metal substrate is micro-EDMed to a 50 µm diameter and micro diamonds with 0–2 µm grains are electroformed on the substrate surface, producing a miniature multilayered grinding tool. Nickel and diamond act as binders and cutters, respectively. A partition plate with an array of drilled holes is designed to ensure good convection in the electroforming solution. The dispersion of diamond grains and displacement of nickel ions are noticeably improved. A miniature funnel mould enables the diamond grains to converge towards the cathode to increase their deposition probability on the substrate, thereby improving their distribution on the substrate surface. A micro ZrO2 ceramic ferrule is finely ground by the developed grinding tool and then yields a surface roughness of Ra = 0.085 µm. The proposed approach is applied during the final machining process.

Study on Thinning of a Boron-Doped Polycrystalline Diamond Wheel-Tool by Micro Rotary W-EDM Approach

This study presents a novel approach for using a micro rotary wire Electrical Discharge Machining (micro w-EDM) to thin the grinding-edge of a wheel-tool made from boron-doped polycrystalline composite diamond (PCD). For thinning the PCD, two discharge circuits (a Resistance-Capacitance (RC) circuit and a transistor) were used as power sources to obtain a grinding-edge of less than 10 µm in thickness and high surface quality. The wheel-blank is vertically mounted on a spindle and while rotating is thinned by micro w-EDM along a planned computer numerically controlled path. Experimental results verify that boron-doped PCD can be successfully thinned down to 5 µm in edge-thickness. The study shows it is possible to break (cut) diamonds of 10-µm grain size, leaving smooth surface-exposed diamonds at the cutting edge of the wheel tool. The dimensional and geometrical accuracy of the wheel-tool can be exactly controlled. Raman analysis reveals graphitizing of the PCD caused by local high temperature spark erosion at a peak of 1593 cm-1 in RC discharge circuit machining. The peak at 1332 cm-1 for the transistor circuit method indicates diamond sp3 structure. The surface degenerating layer produced by transistor circuit machining gives a suitably thin grinding edge with exposed diamond grains.

Development of a novel custom micro-tool for effective cutting of a precision microgroove array on a microscope slide

This study presents a novel, economical and efficient fabrication technique for precisely generating multiple microgrooves on a microscope slide to allow for microscopic examination of urine sediment cells. This study incorporates two important phases: a precision wheel-tool array is fabricated and then the developed tool is used in fast on-line grinding of multiple microgrooves. The wheel-tool blank is made of diamond grit of 0–2 µm grade via co-deposition. Subsequently, it is trued, sliced and sharpened by means of micro wire electro discharge dressing. The finished wheel-tool is utilized on-line to grind multiple microgrooves using high-speed and fast-shallow grinding. A ductile grinding regime is established to obtain a nano-metric surface finish for the multiple microgrooves generated on the microscope slide. The depth and width of the grooves in the array are both 10 µm and a surface finish of Ra equal to 0.010 µm is simultaneously achieved. This multiple microgrooving technique can supply high-quality fast grinding in the fabrication of bio-medical devices, such as those used for stationing and counting urine sediment cells.

Development of a novel micro wire-EDM mechanism for the fabricating of micro parts

The wire running system of the tabletop Wire-EDM machine for making intricate micro parts developed in our previous study is improved in the paper. A very simple but novel micro-wire cutting mechanism that allows the use of the thin wire of a diameter as small as 20μm is designed. The vibration of the micro wire is suppressed by implementing a unique tension control principle and vibration absorbers. In actual machining the workpiece is mounted on the spindle having indexing ability. By proper planning the wire moving path, micro gear, micro turbine, micro screw, etc. can be manufactured. In the paper the micro bevel gear, which has special appearance and is very difficult if not impossible to be machined by other micro fabrication technologies, is also manufactured satisfactorily.

A novel power source for high-precision, highly efficient micro w-EDM

The study presents the development of a novel power source for high-precision, highly efficient machining of micropart microstructures using micro wire electrical discharge machining (w-EDM). A novel power source based on a pluri resistance–capacitance (pRC) circuit that can generate a high-frequency, high-peak current with a short pulse train is proposed and designed to enhance the performance of micro w-EDM processes. Switching between transistors is precisely controlled in the designed power source to create a high-frequency short-pulse train current. Various microslot cutting tests in both aluminum and copper alloys are conducted. Experimental results demonstrate that the pRC power source creates instant spark erosion resulting in markedly less material for removal, diminishing discharge crater size, and consequently an improved surface finish. A new evaluation approach for spark erosion ability (SEA) to assess the merits of micro EDM power sources is also proposed. In addition to increasing the speed of micro w-EDM by increasing wire feed rates by 1.6 times the original feed rate, the power source is more appropriate for machining micropart microstructures since there is less thermal breaking. Satisfactory cutting of an elaborate miniature hook-shaped structure and a high-aspect ratio microstructure with a squared-pillar array also reveal that the developed pRC power source is effective, and should be very useful in the manufacture of intricate microparts.