Electrochemical Machining of Gun Barrel Bores and Rifling.

摘要

A special 10,000 ampere ECM machine and associated 1,000 gallon prototype electrolyte system was designed and built at Naval Ordnance Station, Louisville, Kentucky. This machine is unique in its extraordinary size and 22 1/2 foot stroke. Tool design and experimental machining were performed, with one quarter scale tooling for economy in establishing a basic tool design and machining parameters. With these parameters established, full size tooling was built and a full length 5'/54 caliber gun barrel was successfully bored and rifled. This represented the longest successful ECM cut ever made and demonstrates the capability for electrochemical machining major caliber gun barrels.