Simulation and experimental study on the effect of interelectrode gap on the cavities machined by hybrid laser-electrochemical micromachining process

摘要

The term hybrid machining refers to the use of two or more process energies simultaneously in the same machining zone so as to exploit additional benefits from their interaction. Hybrid laser-electrochemical micromachining process involves laser and electrochemical processes applied concurrently in the same machining zone. The process derives additional advantages from the interaction of the two process energies in the same machining zone. To enable the simultaneous application of laser and ECM in the same machining zone, a hybrid tool concept is used where the tools serves the function of both an ECM tool and a multimode waveguide for the laser. This paper presents the simulation and experimental investigations on the effect of interelectrode gap on the profiles of the cavities machined by hybrid laser-electrochemical micromachining process. Experimental investigations are performed on Inconel IN718 as workpiece material. The results have been explained by means of multiphysics ECM simulations. Overall, it is shown that interelectrode gap is an important parameter influencing the machining response in the current configuration of hybrid process.