An apparatus and method for surface microtextured jet electrolytic machining

Abstract

This invention discloses a jet electrolytic machining device and method for surface microtexturing, specifically relating to the field of special machining technology. It includes a spindle with a nozzle connected to it. Both sides of the nozzle are connected to liquid inlet pipes. The nozzle contains a liquid collection chamber, the bottom of which is connected to a liquid delivery groove. A protrusion higher than the bottom of the liquid collection chamber is provided at the connection between the liquid delivery groove and the liquid collection chamber. The bottom of the nozzle has a honeycomb-shaped liquid outlet hole, which is connected to the liquid delivery groove. This invention solves the problem of low precision and quality in existing microtexturing machining, improving the machining precision and quality of mechanical components.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of special processing technology, and in particular to a device and method for surface microtextured jet electrolytic processing. Background Technology

[0002] In recent years, advancements in science and technology and the continuous expansion of research fields have spurred the rapid development of the modern equipment manufacturing industry. The working environments of various mechanical components have become increasingly diverse, placing higher demands on their overall performance. During long-term use, mechanical components can suffer surface damage due to friction, wear, corrosion, and other factors, thus reducing their service life.

[0003] With the development of science and technology, microtextures have great potential in improving friction performance, lubrication and drag reduction, corrosion prevention and service life. At present, they are particularly prominent in lubrication and friction reduction in fields such as machining, aerospace, and medical, and have become one of the important ways to improve the surface properties of materials. Electrolytic machining is an effective method for processing microtextures.

[0004] Chinese patent (patent application number: CN201910673940.X) discloses a device for electrolytic machining of microtextures using a belt-type movable mask, proposing a new technology for microtexture machining using a belt-type movable mask. This technology continuously retracts the mask belt via a pulley, thereby driving the workpiece and cathode to rotate synchronously, greatly improving process flexibility and adaptability. Meanwhile, another Chinese patent (patent application number: CN201711062940.3) discloses a device for electrolytic machining of microstructures on the inner wall of a cylinder using a gas film shielded circumferential array tube electrode jet, which can improve the stability, accuracy, and efficiency of jet electrolytic machining of small holes on the inner wall of a cylinder to a certain extent. However, uneven flow field and unstable current often occur during nozzle jetting. Electrochemical corrosion is unavoidable during electrochemical reactions; therefore, there is still considerable room for improvement in the machining accuracy and surface finish of microtextures. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The present invention aims to provide a jet electrolytic machining device and method suitable for surface microtexturing, which solves the problems of low precision and quality in existing microtexturing machining.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution of the present invention is as follows: A surface microtextured jet electrolytic machining device includes a spindle, a nozzle connected to the spindle, liquid inlet pipes connected to both sides of the nozzle, a liquid collection cavity inside the nozzle, a liquid delivery groove connected to the bottom of the liquid collection cavity, a boss higher than the bottom of the liquid collection cavity provided at the connection between the liquid delivery groove and the liquid collection cavity, and a honeycomb-shaped liquid outlet hole opened at the bottom of the nozzle, the liquid outlet hole being connected to the liquid delivery groove.

[0007] The principle and effect of the technical solution: The working fluid flows into the collection chamber from the inlet pipes on both sides of the nozzle. A high-pressure state is formed inside the collection chamber, which is then forced into the honeycomb-shaped outlet holes through the delivery groove, and then evenly sprayed onto the workpiece surface through the outlet holes. By applying a voltage difference between the nozzle and the workpiece through the electric conductor, uniform processing of the array structure is achieved.

[0008] Furthermore, the shape of the liquid outlet can be circular, triangular, square, or a straight groove.

[0009] Furthermore, the liquid outlet holes are arranged in an array at the bottom of the nozzle, the depth of the liquid outlet holes is not less than 6 mm, and the spacing between adjacent liquid outlet holes is less than 1 mm.

[0010] With the above settings, the liquid outlet part at the bottom of the nozzle is the flow field, and the rest is the electric field, so that the area of ​​the electric field and the flow field region is approximately 1:1.

[0011] Furthermore, the height of the boss is not less than 2mm.

[0012] With the above settings, a height difference is formed between the boss and the bottom of the liquid collection cavity, with a height difference of not less than 2mm. As the height difference of the liquid surface increases, the pressure of the liquid will also increase.

[0013] Furthermore, the top of the fluid collection cavity is more than 1 mm higher than the inlet pipe.

[0014] The above configuration allows for a larger liquid collection chamber capacity and a certain wall thickness to ensure nozzle rigidity. Lowering the liquid inlet pipes results in a lower flow rate, which in turn leads to a decrease in flow velocity.

[0015] Furthermore, the method of using the processing device includes the following steps:

[0016] S1: Assemble the nozzle to the lower end of the spindle, keeping the nozzle parallel to the workpiece and suspended in the air. Then fix the workpiece on the worktable, with the mask plate positioned above the workpiece and tightly fitted.

[0017] S2: The working fluid flows into the collection chamber from the inlet pipes on both sides of the nozzle, is pressed into the honeycomb-shaped outlet hole through the liquid delivery groove, and is then evenly sprayed into the array hole of the mask template through the outlet hole, and finally contacts the workpiece surface.

[0018] S3: The nozzle is connected to the negative terminal of the power supply, and the workpiece is connected to the positive terminal of the high-frequency pulse power supply, maintaining a weak potential difference between the two.

[0019] S4: Turn on the high-frequency pulse power supply; During the processing, the nozzle maintains a uniform scanning speed. Under the combined action of the electric field and the flow field, an electrochemical reaction occurs in the processing hole of the mask to carry out corrosion processing. The remaining part is an insulating material that does not conduct electricity and therefore does not react.

[0020] Compared with existing technologies, the beneficial effects of this solution are:

[0021] This solution significantly eliminates the instability of the working fluid within the fluid collection cavity, greatly improving processing accuracy and efficiency. The honeycomb-shaped outlet holes at the bottom of the nozzle enhance flow field uniformity and surface finish. By appropriately modifying the honeycomb hole shape, surface processing of workpieces of different sizes can be achieved, thereby improving processing economy and offering advantages such as low cost and strong adaptability. Therefore, this application provides a honeycomb-shaped porous electrode device and method suitable for jet electrolytic machining of surface microtextures, enabling jet electrolytic machining of surface microtextures and significantly improving flow field uniformity and processing accuracy. Attached Figure Description

[0022] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a surface microtextured jet electrolytic machining device according to the present invention;

[0023] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the nozzle structure in Embodiment 1;

[0024] Figure 3 This is a bottom view of the nozzle in Embodiment 1;

[0025] Figure 4 This is a graph showing the changes in flow velocity and point position at the outlet of the electrolytic machining apparatus in Examples 1-4. Detailed Implementation

[0026] The present invention will be further described in detail below through specific embodiments:

[0027] The reference numerals in the accompanying drawings include: spindle 1, inlet pipe 2, electric lead block 3, nozzle 4, liquid collection chamber 5, liquid delivery tank 6, honeycomb porous liquid distribution 7, liquid outlet 8, mask plate 9, workpiece 10.

[0028] Example 1

[0029] like Figures 1 to 4As shown, a surface microtextured jet electrolytic machining apparatus includes a spindle 1, with a nozzle 4 connected to the bottom of the spindle 1. Both sides of the nozzle 4 are connected to inlet pipes 2. A collection chamber 5 is formed inside the nozzle 4, with the top of the collection chamber 5 being at least 1 mm higher than the opening of the inlet pipe 2, allowing the working fluid to enter the collection chamber 5 through the inlet pipe 2 while maintaining unobstructed flow of the working fluid within the collection chamber 5. A delivery groove 6 is connected to the bottom of the collection chamber 5. A boss, not less than 2 mm high, is provided at the connection point between the delivery groove 6 and the collection chamber 5, extending above the bottom of the collection chamber 5. This boss facilitates the formation of a pressure difference, promoting uniform flow of the working fluid through the delivery groove 6. A honeycomb-shaped outlet hole is formed at the bottom of the nozzle 4. In this embodiment, the outlet hole is a 60° triangle. The shape and size of the outlet hole can be changed according to processing requirements to alter the machining morphology. The outlet hole is connected to the delivery groove 6. The liquid outlet holes are arranged in an array at the bottom of the nozzle 4, with a depth of not less than 6 mm and a spacing of less than 1 mm between adjacent liquid outlet holes. An electric induction block 3 is also installed on the side wall of the nozzle 4.

[0030] In this embodiment, the spindle 1 is used to connect the nozzle 4, keeping the nozzle 4 parallel and suspended. The inlet pipes 2 on both sides of the nozzle 4 allow the working fluid to enter the nozzle 4 and flow into the collection chamber 5, creating an internal high-pressure state. This pressure is then forced through the delivery groove 6 into the honeycomb-shaped outlet holes, and then evenly sprayed from the outlet holes onto the surface of the mask (the mask is made of insulating material) of the array of processing holes. The lower end of the mask is in close contact with the surface of the workpiece 10. The working fluid forms an etching process within the processing holes of the mask. A voltage difference is then applied between the nozzle 4 and the workpiece 10 via the electric current block 3, achieving uniform processing of the array structure. In this embodiment, the workpiece 10 to be processed is mainly a difficult-to-machine metal part such as a nickel-based high-temperature alloy or a titanium alloy.

[0031] The working process of this embodiment:

[0032] S1: Install electrode tools and workpiece 10

[0033] Assemble nozzle 4 to the lower end of spindle 1, keeping nozzle 4 parallel to the workpiece 10 and suspended in the air. Then fix workpiece 10 on the worktable, with the mask plate 9 positioned above workpiece 10 and tightly fitted. The machining hole on the mask plate 9 leads directly to the anode workpiece 10, where an electrochemical reaction occurs. The remaining parts are made of insulating material and do not conduct electricity, thus no reaction occurs.

[0034] S2: Adjustment fluid

[0035] The working fluid flows into the collection chamber 5 from the inlet pipes 2 on both sides of the nozzle 4, is pressed into the honeycomb-shaped outlet hole through the delivery groove 6, and is then evenly sprayed into the array hole of the mask template, finally contacting the surface of the workpiece 10.

[0036] S3: Connect to power

[0037] Nozzle 4 is connected to the negative terminal of the power supply, and workpiece 10 is connected to the positive terminal of the high-frequency pulse power supply, maintaining a weak potential difference between the two.

[0038] S4: Conduct jet electrolytic machining

[0039] Turn on the high-frequency pulse power supply; during the processing, the nozzle 4 maintains a uniform scanning speed (i.e., the mask plate 9 moves relative to the spindle 1), that is, from one side of the mask plate to the other side. Under the combined action of the electric field and the flow field, an electrochemical reaction occurs in the processing hole of the mask plate to carry out corrosion processing. The remaining part is an insulating material that does not conduct electricity and therefore does not react.

[0040] Example 2

[0041] The only difference between this embodiment and Embodiment 1 is that the shape of the liquid outlet hole in this embodiment is square.

[0042] Example 3

[0043] The only difference between this embodiment and Embodiment 1 is that the liquid outlet in this embodiment is circular.

[0044] Example 4

[0045] The only difference between this embodiment and Embodiment 1 is that the shape of the liquid outlet hole in this embodiment is a straight groove.

[0046] The flow rate was obtained by testing the flow rate at different points at the outlet in Examples 1-4. Figure 4 ,like Figure 4 As shown, in Example 2, the velocity fluctuation of the square liquid outlet is more stable compared to other shapes, and the difference between the highest and lowest velocities is the smallest.

[0047] The above are merely embodiments of the present invention, and common knowledge such as specific structures and / or characteristics in the solutions are not described in detail here. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various modifications and improvements without departing from the structure of the present invention, and these should also be considered within the scope of protection of the present invention. These modifications and improvements will not affect the effectiveness of the implementation of the present invention or the practicality of the patent. The scope of protection claimed in this application should be determined by the content of its claims, and the specific embodiments described in the specification can be used to interpret the content of the claims.

Claims

1. A surface micro-texturing electrochemical jet machining apparatus, characterized by: Includes a main shaft, on which a nozzle is connected, with liquid inlet pipes connected to both sides of the nozzle, a liquid collection chamber inside the nozzle, a liquid delivery groove connected to the bottom of the liquid collection chamber, a protrusion higher than the bottom of the liquid collection chamber at the connection between the liquid delivery groove and the liquid collection chamber, and a honeycomb-shaped liquid outlet hole at the bottom of the nozzle, the liquid outlet hole being connected to the liquid delivery groove. The shape of the liquid outlet hole is circular, triangular, square, or a straight groove; The liquid outlet holes are arranged in an array at the bottom of the nozzle, the depth of the liquid outlet holes is not less than 6 mm, and the interval between adjacent liquid outlet holes is less than 1 mm; The height of the boss is not less than 2mm; The top of the fluid collection cavity is more than 1 mm higher than the inlet pipe.

2. The jet electrolytic machining apparatus for surface microtexturing according to claim 1, characterized in that: The method of using the processing device includes the following steps: S1: Assemble the nozzle to the lower end of the spindle, keeping the nozzle parallel to the workpiece and suspended in the air. Then fix the workpiece on the worktable, with the mask plate positioned above the workpiece and in close contact. S2: The working fluid flows into the collection chamber from the inlet pipes on both sides of the nozzle, is pressed into the honeycomb-shaped outlet hole through the liquid delivery groove, and is then evenly sprayed into the array hole of the mask template through the outlet hole, and finally contacts the workpiece surface. S3: The nozzle is connected to the negative terminal of the power supply, and the workpiece is connected to the positive terminal of the high-frequency pulse power supply, maintaining a weak potential difference between the two. S4: Turn on the high-frequency pulse power supply; During the processing, the nozzle maintains a uniform scanning speed. Under the combined effect of the electric field and the flow field, an electrochemical reaction occurs in the processing hole of the mask to carry out corrosion processing. The remaining part is an insulating material that does not conduct electricity and therefore does not react.

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