Electrochemical Machine Manifold for Electrolyte Product Removal
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Electrolytic products such as metal ions and hydrogen gas generated during electrochemical machining (ECM) disrupt the stable electrolysis process, affecting the quality of the processed material and making it difficult to perform micro ECM due to air bubble formation and vibration issues with existing methods.
Innovation Solution
An electrochemical machine design that includes a manifold with an outflow path for discharging electrolyte around the electrode, an electrolyte supply system, and a fixation mechanism to securely position the electrode, allowing for uniform electrolyte discharge and effective removal of electrolytic products, thereby improving ECM quality and enabling micro ECM.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If ultrasonic waves are used to remove air bubbles, then air bubbles are removed, but temperature of electrolyte rises and micro ECM becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful electrolytic products (air bubbles and metal ions) from the processing area by introducing a separate electrolyte circulation system with inlet and outlet nozzles. This allows continuous removal of bubbles without using ultrasonic waves, thereby avoiding temperature rise while maintaining effective bubble removal.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If electrode is moved above water surface to remove air bubbles, then air bubbles are removed, but processing speed and surface forming accuracy are lowered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous electrolyte flow through the processing area via inlet and outlet nozzles, enabling continuous removal of air bubbles during processing. This eliminates the need to stop and move the electrode, maintaining continuous processing and high productivity while effectively removing bubbles.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If ultrasonic waves are used for long periods, then air bubbles are removed, but vibration occurs and micro ECM is hardly conducted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical ultrasonic vibration system with a fluid dynamic system using controlled electrolyte flow. The inlet nozzle introduces electrolyte that flows through the processing area, and the outlet nozzle removes electrolyte containing air bubbles, achieving bubble removal without mechanical vibration and ensuring electrode stability for micro ECM.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The machine effectively removes electrolytic products, enhancing the quality of ECM by minimizing air bubble formation and maintaining electrode stability, allowing for precise and efficient processing, including micro-scale operations.
Implementation Method 1
Electrochemical machining (ECM) is a way through which metallic oxides generated during electrochemical dissolution of metallic materials are removed
Implementation Method 2
such electrolytic products need to be removed. To this end, an electrochemical machine according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a manifold 100 which may uniformly discharge electrolyte supplied from nozzles 60 while ECM around an electrode 12
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an electrochemical machine. More particularly, provided is an electrochemical machine which removes an electrolytic product generated while electrochemical machining (ECM) so as to improve the quality of ECM and allows micro ECM. The electrochemical machine according to an embodiment of the present invention may include: a processing tub filled with an electrolyte; a processed object immersed in the electrolyte filled in the processing tub; a storage unit for storing the electrolyte; an electrolyte supply unit for supplying the electrolyte stored in the storage unit to the processing tub; a manifold comprising an inflow path, to which the electrolyte supplied by the electrolyte supply unit flows, and an outflow path connected to the inflow path for discharging the electrolyte flowing to the inflow path to the processed object, wherein a discharge hole of the outflow path is immersed in the electrolyte filled in the processing tub; an electrode which is fixed to the manifold so as for one end thereof to pass the outflow path and to be projected toward a lower part of the discharge hole and is electrically connected to the processed object; and a power unit for supplying power to the electrode and the processed object.