Formation of electrical discharge machining electrode via laser cladding

摘要

The feasibility of building copper based electrodes for electrical discharge machining (EDM) via laser cladding is investigated as an application of rapid prototyping (RP). Two material systems Cu/W (with and without nickel) and Cu/B{sub}4C (with and without nickel) in certain compositions are selected for the experimental investigation. The laser claddings are realised via a 3000W CO{sub}2 laser with suitable parameters. The micro-structures of the electrodes are analysed with a SEM. The performance of the EDM electrodes is examined in terms of machining rate and wear rate.