4/14/2021 Extensions and International Programs (EIP) PRESENTATION TITLE Advanced Manufacturing Engineering Certificate Program Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Processes Module 3: Advanced Machining Processes Instructor: Sagil James, Ph.D. Email: sagiljames@fullerton.edu Contents • • • • Abrasive‐based Machining Processes Advanced Mechanical Machining Processes Thermal and Electrical Machining Processes Electrochemical and Chemical Machining Processes 2 1 4/14/2021 Abrasive Jet Machining (AJM) • Jet of inert gas consisting of very fine abrasive particles strikes the workpiece at high velocity – Usually between 200‐400 m/s • Material removal through chipping/erosion action • Used for cutting, cleaning, etching, polishing and deburring • Effective on hard and brittle materials such as glass, silicon, ceramics • Not effective on soft materials such as Aluminum, Rubber 3 AJM Machine Setup 4 2 4/14/2021 AJM Machine Setup • Gas propulsion system supplies clean and dry gas to propel the abrasive particles – Air, Nitrogen or CO2 • Gas should be non‐toxic, cheap and easily available • Spread of gas should be limited • Compressor with air filter used for gas supply 5 Abrasive Feeder • Required quantity of abrasive particles supplied by abrasive feeder • Abrasive quantity is controlled by vibration (electro‐ magnetic shaker) • Particles propelled by carrier gas to a mixing chamber • Air‐abrasive mixture moves further to the nozzle • Nozzle imparts high velocity to the mixture which is directed at the workpiece surface 6 3 4/14/2021 Material Removal • Material removal occurs due to the erosive action of the jet of air‐abrasive mixture impinging on the workpiece surface 7 Machining Chamber • Mixing chamber is well‐insulated from outside environment • Chamber is equipped with a vacuum dust collector • Special consideration should be given if toxic material is used 8 4 4/14/2021 AJM Nozzle • Usually made of tungsten carbide or sapphire (usual life = 300 hr) • Nozzle material should have high wear resistance • Nozzle is either made of circular or rectangular cross‐section • Nozzle design should minimize loss of pressure due to bends and friction • Nozzle pressure usually maintained between 2.8‐5 kgf/cm2 depending on material characteristics 9 AJM Nozzle Contd.. • Wear of Nozzle causes divergence of jet steam resulting in Stray Cutting and high inaccuracy • Stray cutting can be controlled by using masks made of soft material • Masks should cover part of the workpiece where machining is not desirable 10 5 4/14/2021 Abrasive Water Jet Machining (AWJM) • Using abrasive water jets have shown to improve the cutting technology • Compared to AJM, Water is used as carrier fluid in place of gas • Can be used for cutting, drilling, cleaning of hard materials – ceramics, composites, rocks, metals 11 AWJM Working Principle • Water jet and abrasives are mixed and passed through the nozzle • Water jet momentum is transferred to abrasives • High velocity mixture of abrasives and water impinges on the workpiece • Material removal occurs due to erosion, shear or failure under rapidly changing localized stress fields • Pressure of water jet is about 400 MPa • Jet velocity is about 900 m/s 12 6 4/14/2021 Advantage of AWJM • Can machine electrically non‐conductive as well as difficult‐to‐machine materials • Rapid and efficient machining compared to AJM and WJM processes • Dust‐free machining • High cutting speed, multi‐directional cutting capacity • No fire hazard • No thermal stresses 13 Advantage of AWJM Contd.. • • • • • • High quality of machined edge Recycling of abrasive particles Can be easily automated Low power requirements Almost no delamination Reduced striations 14 7 4/14/2021 AWJM Machine • AWJM Machine Setup consists of – Pumping system – Abrasive feed system – Abrasive water jet nozzle – Abrasive collector/recycling unit 15 AWJM Setup 16 8 4/14/2021 Pumping System • Pressurizes water to a pressure of more than 400 MPa by means of an intensifier • Use a high power motor (75 HP or more) • Water flow rate up to 3 gpm www.performancewat erjet.com.au 17 Abrasive Feed System • Must deliver a controlled flow of abrasive particles to jet nozzle • Delivers a stream of dry abrasives • Flow of water jet create enough suction for flow of abrasives • Newer designs use liquid‐ mixed abrasives delivery www.graco.com/ 18 9 4/14/2021 Abrasive Water Jet Nozzle • Mixes abrasive jet and water • Forms high velocity water abrasive jet • Made of sapphire, tungsten carbine (WC) or boron carbide multicam.ca Nozzle Assembly for AWJM Process 19 Abrasive Collector/Recycling Unit • For capturing used abrasive water jet • Uses a water‐filled settling tank • Jet dies out in this tank • Abrasive particles are filtered and water/abrasive is recycled 20 10 4/14/2021 Abrasives • Selection of abrasives depends on the type of work material, material removal rate and machining accuracy desired • Potential abrasive materials include – Aluminum Oxide (Al2O3) ‐ for cleaning, cutting, deburring – Silicon Carbide (SiC) – for harder work materials – Glass Beads – for matte finishing – Crushed Glass – for obtaining sharp edges – Sodium Bicarbonate ‐ for soft work materials 21 Abrasive Size • Size of abrasives range from 10 to 50 μm • Abrasives should have sharp and irregular shape • Abrasives should be small enough to be suspended in the carrier gas • Small abrasives used for cleaning and polishing – Small grains are less irregular – Cutting ability is poor • Large abrasives used for cutting 22 11 4/14/2021 Re‐use of Abrasives • Re‐use of abrasives is not recommended • Abrasives get contaminated with metallic chips which may block the nozzle passage • Cutting ability of the used abrasive particles decreases • Cost of abrasives is low 23 Abrasive Machining ‐ Environmental Concerns • Issues include: – Water pollution – Spent water disposal – Health hazards – Soil Contamination – Noise pollution http://dotherightmix.eu/ • Loud operation can cause partial hearing loss • Abrasive dust can cause irritation to the eyes, skin, and respiratory tract – Inhalation of abrasive dust can result in lung diseases 24 12 4/14/2021 Environmental Concerns Contd.. • Chip recovery • Abrasive recovery and reuse • Need for liquid medium and abrasive that do not require disposal or recycling – High pressure cryogenic jet machining • Liquid water replaced by Liquid nitrogen • Abrasives replaced by Dry‐ice (Solid CO2) crystals 25 Mechanical Machining Processes • In mechanical machining processes, stresses induced by a tool overcome the strength of the workpiece material • The process produces complex 3D shapes, with very good dimensional control, and good surface finish • The method is wasteful of material, and expensive in terms of labor and capital Fig Source: www.krenterprise.co.in , www.youtube.com 26 13 4/14/2021 Challenges in Mechanical Machining • Involves applied and residual stress • Residual stresses are stresses that remain in a solid material after the original cause of the stresses has been removed • May lead to lower fatigue life Fig Source: www.stresstech.com/ 27 Challenges in Mechanical Machining Contd.. • Increased heat at the workpiece causes uneven dimensional changes in the part being machined which is difficult to control • Thermal errors are often the dominant type of error in a precision machine, and thermal characteristics such as thermal expansion coefficient and thermal conductivity deserve special attention removed Fig Source: www.shapecut.com.au/ 28 14 4/14/2021 Mechanical Machining Categories • In mechanical subtractive machining, physical removal of unwanted material is achieved by mechanical energy applied at the work piece – Mechanical energy‐based material removal • Mechanical material removing can be categorized as – Single point machining – Multi‐point machining (Abrasive machining) • Mechanical removal processes can be broken down into four commonly recognized categories: turning, milling, drilling and grinding 29 Advanced Mechanical Machining • Processing overcoming the limitations of conventional mechanical machining process • Addresses the economy of mechanical machining • Higher machining productivity • Achieves higher surface finish • Address the issue of environment effects of mechanical machining process 30 15 4/14/2021 Advanced Mechanical Machining Contd.. • Numerous attempts done in the past to address the issues of conventional mechanical machining processes • Several technologies still under development stage • Some of the key focus areas include – High‐speed Machining, High‐power machining – Hard Machining – Dry and Near‐Dry Machining – Cryogenic Machining – Precision Mechanical Machining 31 High‐speed Machining (HSM) • High speed machining typically refers to making light passes at high spindle speeds and feed rates to achieve a high metal removal rate • In comparison with conventional machining, HSM enables to increase efficiency, accuracy and quality of workpieces and at the some time to decrease costs and machining time • Can be effective for machining intricate core and cavity geometries in mold machining, and for quickly machining large, complex aircraft structural components out of solid blocks of aluminum. 32 16 4/14/2021 HSM Contd.. • Even though High Speed Machining is known for a long time (first tries were made in early twenties of the past century) there are still a lot of questions and less or more complicated definitions of HSM • The first definition of HSM was proposed by Carl Salomon in 1931. • He has assumed that at a certain cutting speed which is 5 –10 times higher then in conventional machining, the chip tool interface temperature will start to decrease 33 Hard Machining • Hard machining is defined as the process of removing material from workpieces that have hardness values over 45 Rc – Hard Turning – Hard Milling • Hard machining is best accomplished with tool inserts made from either CBN (Cubic Boron Nitride), Cermet or Ceramic • The process is capable of producing contours and generate complex forms with the inherent motion capability of modern machine tools 34 17 4/14/2021 Hard Machining Contd.. • High quality hard machining applications do require a properly configured machine tool and the appropriate tooling • Hard machining can certainly be considered for most pre‐machining applications, which are followed by an abbreviated machining cycle • In some cases, the hard turned surface may complete the operation and will completely eliminate the conventional machining altogether. 35 Hard Machining Capabilities • A properly configured hard turning cell would typically demonstrate the following: – Surface finishes of 0.00011” (.003 mm) – Roundness values of .000009” (.00025 mm) – Size control ranges of .00020” (.005mm) – Production rates of 4‐ 6 over comparable grinding operations 36 18 4/14/2021 Materials for Hard Machining • • • • • • • • • • Steel alloys, Bearing steels Hot and cold work tool steels High speed steels Die Steels Case hardened steels Waspoloy, Stellite and other aerospace alloys Nitrited irons and hard chrome coatings Heat treatable powered metallurgy Unique hard materials and aircraft types that fall within the hardness range 37 Benefits of Hard Machining • Price – Conventional machine tools can be adapted for hard machining • Versatility – Multiple operations can be machined with one set‐up • Metal Removal – Achieve higher metal removal rates and surface finish • Flexibility – Changes are easier if the part configuration changes • Environmental Benefits 38 19 4/14/2021 Dry and Near‐Dry Machining • Environmentally‐friendly machining is the need of hour for sustainable manufacturing • Cutting fluids are employed in machining to reduce friction, cool the tool and work piece and to wash away the chips from cutting area • Dry Machining concept is to eliminate or minimize the cutting fluid consumption, use of cutting tools, and power requirements 39 Role of Cutting Fluid • Cutting fluids minimizes the tool wear and improves the surface integrity of machined surface • Minimize the cutting forces thus decrease power consumptions thereby saving precious energy • Cutting fluids remove the extra heat from cutting area generated in machining operation resulting in only longer tool life along with achieving close dimensional control 40 20 4/14/2021 Drawbacks of Cutting Fluids • A large quantity of the cutting fluid is required involving higher manufacturing cost that in some cases is more than twice the tool‐related costs • The cutting fluid/lubricant is not able find its way to cutting area owing to obstruction from chips • Cutting fluids pose serious health hazard to the machine operator, and long time exposure of operator to toxic coolants in machining sometimes may result in serious ailments: asthma, skin problems, respiratory irritation, pneumonia, skin cancer, etc. 41 Drawbacks of Cutting Fluids Contd.. • The disposal of the used cutting fluids also poses a major challenge • The waste cutting fluids pollute surface and groundwater, can cause soil contamination, affect agriculture produce, and lead to food contamination, if not recycled properly • The waste disposal of cutting fluid is required to be treated • Biocides and antimicrobials are utilized in cutting fluids to keep their efficiency intact rather than protecting the operators • Elimination of cutting fluids in metal cutting practice 42 21 4/14/2021 Dry Machining • Dry machining is always preferred in the era of environment friendly machining, which involves higher cutting forces, higher power • Requires special cutting tools like PCBN, PCD and ceramic, etc. along with prudent design of tool geometry (generally negative rake tools, honed and chamfered edges are used • But Dry machining is not always feasible as there are materials, which are sticky in nature like nickel‐ chromium and titanium base alloys and stainless steel, etc., these materials when machined dry tend to stick to tool surface leading to tool failure and poor surface finish on machined surface 43 Near‐Dry Machining (NDM) • When a minimal amount of cutting fluid is used during machining, it is referred as near dry machining (NDM) with minimum quantity lubrication (MQL) • Also known as micro lubrication machining, or ‘micro‐lubrication’, and ‘micro‐dosing • In MQL machining, a small amount of cutting fluid (10–100 ml/h, compared to 30,000–60,000 ml/hour in flooded machining) is directed onto the tool‐ workpiece interface with proper ratio of compressed air 44 22 4/14/2021 Minimum Quantity Lubrication (MQL) • MQL is a total‐loss lubrication method rather than the circulated lubrication method used with emulsions • The extreme reduction of lubrication quantities results in nearly dry work pieces and chips; hence, the name ‘NDM’ • Metalworking fluids do not spread throughout the area around the machine, thus also making for a cleaner workplace 45 MQL Contd.. • MQL today uses such precise metering that the lubricant is nearly completely used up • The reduction in use of lubricants greatly reduces health hazards caused by emissions of metalworking fluids in breathed‐in air and on the skin of employees at their workplaces • The key factor here is the percentage of metalworking fluid on the chips (less than 2% adhering to the chip means that it is ‘dry’) 46 23 4/14/2021 MQL Working • In NDM, the cooling/lubricating medium is supplied as a mixture of air and an oil in the form of an aerosol (often referred to as a mist) • An aerosol is a gaseous suspension (hanging) in air of solid or liquid particles • Aerosols are generated using a process called atomization • An atomizer is an ejector in which the energy of compressed gas, usually air is used to atomize the oil • Oil is then conveyed by the air in a low‐pressure distribution system to the machining zone 47 MQL Working Contd.. • As the compressed air flows through the venturi path, the narrow throat around the discharge nozzle creates a low pressure in the mixing chamber • This partial vacuum draws the oil up from the oil reservoir where it is maintained under a constant hydraulic head • The air rushing through the mixing chamber atomizes the oil stream into an aerosol of micrometer‐sized particles 48 24 4/14/2021 MQL Atomizer Fig Source: Astakhov, 2012 49 Cutting Fluids for NDM/MQL • The cutting fluids are basically of two types – Oil‐based cutting fluids – Chemical cutting fluids • Oil‐based cutting fluids comprise of: straight oil, soluble oil, whereas chemical cutting fluids can be further categorized as synthetic and semi‐synthetic cutting fluids • Straight oils are non‐emulsifiable and are used in an undiluted form – These comprise of a base mineral or petroleum oil and additives such as fats, vegetable oils and esters 50 25 4/14/2021 Cutting Fluids for NDM/MQL Contd.. • Straight oils provide the best lubrication and the poorest cooling characteristics among cutting fluids • Synthetic fluids contain no petroleum or mineral oil base and instead are formulated from alkaline inorganic and organic compounds along with additives • For best cooling under extreme cutting conditions, synthetic fluids preferred as these provide best cooling among all cutting fluids • The selection of cutting fluid depends on parameters such as work piece material and nature of machining process 51 Cryogenic Machining • Machining system delivers liquid nitrogen (at ‐321° F) as coolant directly to the cutting edge enabling substantially faster processing speeds and increased tool life compared to conventional cooling methods • It is more environmentally sound than other coolants • When it evaporates, Liquid Nitrogen is just Nitrogen, which is the major constituent of air • No harmful chemicals are involved 52 26 4/14/2021 Precision Mechanical Machining • Precision machining is defined as machining in which the relative accuracy (tolerance/object size) is 10–4 or less of a feature/part size • Advanced machine tools equipped with precision metrology and control tools • Precision mechanical machining methods widely extended for industrial use • Ultra‐precision Machining ‐ The process by which the highest possible dimensional accuracy is achieved at a given point in time 53 Ultrasonic Machining • USM is a mechanical type non‐traditional machining process • Employed to machine hard and/or brittle materials (both electrically conductive and non‐conductive) – Hardness usually greater than 40 RC • Uses a shaped tool, high frequency mechanical motion and abrasive slurry • Material is removed by the abrasive grains which are driven into the workpiece by a tool oscillating normal to the workpiece surface 54 27 4/14/2021 Ultrasonic Waves • Ultrasonic waves ‐ sound waves of frequency higher than 20 KHz Frequency Spectrum • High velocity longitudinal waves can easily propagate in solids, liquids and gases • A device that converts any form of energy into ultrasonic waves is called ultrasonic transducer • Ultrasonic waves can be generated using mechanical, electromagnetic and thermal energy sources 55 Ultrasonic Waves Contd.. • Ultrasonic transducer converts high frequency electrical signal in to high frequency linear mechanical motion (or vibration) • These high frequency vibrations are transmitted to the tool via tool holder • For achieving optimum material removal rate (MRR), tool and tool holder are designed so that resonance can be achieved • Resonance (or maximum amplitude of vibration) is achieved when the frequency of vibration matches with the natural frequency of tool and tool holder assembly 56 28 4/14/2021 Principle of USM • Tool of desired shape oscillates at ultrasonic frequency over the workpiece • Tool shape corresponds to shape to be produced in the workpiece • Tool is pressed downward with static load ‘F’ • Machining zone is flooded with slurry of abrasive grits + water flowing continuously 57 Principle of USM Contd.. • The tool shape is made converse to the desired cavity • The tool is placed very near to the work surface, and the gap between the vibrating tool and the workpiece is flooded with abrasive slurry made up of fine abrasive particles and suspension medium (usually water) • As the tool vibrates in its downward stroke, it strikes the abrasive particles • This impact from the tool propels the grains across the gap between the tool and the workpiece 58 29 4/14/2021 Principle of USM Contd.. • These particles attain kinetic energy and strike the work surface with a force much higher than their own weight • This force is sufficient to remove material from the brittle workpiece surface and results in a crater on it • Each down stroke of the tool accelerates numerous abrasive particles resulting in the formation of thousands of tiny chips per second • To maintain a very low constant gap between the tool and the work, feed is usually given to the tool 59 Mechanism of Material Removal • Material is removed primarily due to brittle fracture and chip formation • Successive impacts and indentations of abrasive particle causes machining and material removal • Possible Mechanism Include – Hammering Action – Throwing Action 60 30 4/14/2021 Mechanism of Material Removal Contd.. • Hammering Action – Vibrating tool hammers the abrasive grits onto the workpiece surface – Happens if particle is large and machining gap is small • Throwing Action – Particle will be thrown by the tool to hit the workpiece surface – Happens if size of particle is small and machining gap is large 61 Other Possible Mechanisms • Cavitation induced erosion – A very small percentage (about 5 %) of material is also believed to be removed by a phenomenon known as cavitation erosion – Collapse of the cavitation bubbles in the abrasive suspension results in very high local pressures and associated shock waves – Micro‐cracks are generated at the interface of the workpiece leading to chipping • Chemical reaction 62 31 4/14/2021 USM Capabilities • USM gives low MRR but it is capable to machine intricate cavities in single pass in fragile or /and hard materials • In USM, there is no direct contact between the tool and workpiece hence it is a good process for machining very thin and fragile components which otherwise have high scrap rate Figure Source: www.dreamstime.com, www.agstech.net 63 USM Capabilities Contd.. • A brittle material can be machined more easily than a ductile one • It is considered as a very safe process because it does not involve high voltage, chemicals, mechanical forces and heat 64 32 4/14/2021 Ultrasonic Machining System Contd.. 65 Transducers • In USM, either of the two types of transducers are used, i.e. piezoelectric or magnetostrictive type • Piezoelectric crystals (say, quartz) generate • a small electric current when they are compressed • Also, when an electric current is passed through the crystal, it expands; when the current is removed the crystal attains its original size • This effect is know as piezoelectric effect. • Such transducers are available up to a power capacity of 900 W 66 33 4/14/2021 Transducers Contd.. • Magnetostrictive transducer also changes its length when subjected to a strong magnetic field • These transducers are made of nickel, or nickel alloy • Their conversion efficiency (20‐35%) is much lower than the piezoelectric transducers’ efficiency (up to 95%) hence their cooling is essential to remove waste heat • These magnetostrictive type transducers are available with power capacity as high as 2.4 kW providing a maximum amplitude of vibration of 25 μm 67 USM Tools • Tool material should be tough and ductile – Low carbon steels and stainless steels give good performance – Aluminum and Brass wear faster • Harder the tool material, the faster its wear rate will be • Mirror image of shaped tool reproduced on the workpiece Figure Source: edmtechman.com 68 34 4/14/2021 USM Tools Contd.. • Tools are usually made of relatively ductile materials (brass, stainless steel, mild steel, etc) so that the tool wear rate (TWR) can be minimized • Value of the ratio of TWR and MRR depends upon the kind of abrasives, workpiece material, and tool material • Surface finish of the tool is important because it will affect the surface finish obtained on the workpiece 69 USM Tools Contd.. • To safeguard tool and tool holder against their early fatigue failure, they should not have scratches or machining marks • Tools should be properly designed to account for overcut • Silver brazing of the tool with tool holder minimizes the fatigue problem associated with screw attachment method 70 35 4/14/2021 Advantages of USM • It can be used machine hard, brittle, fragile and non‐conductive materials • No heat is generated in work • Less stress translates to high reliability for critical applications • USM apply to machining semi‐ conductor such as silicon, germanium etc. Figure Source: www.cimindustry.com/ 71 Applications of USM • USM can be used to machine – Hard, brittle metallic alloys, semiconductors, glass, ceramics etc. – Electrically non‐conductive ceramics – Round, square, irregular shaped holes Dies for wire drawing, punching and blanking operations – Precision mineral stones, jewelry, watch bearing and industrial diamonds • USM enables a dentist to drill a hole on teeth without any pain Figure Source: www.rigbyadvanceddental.com/ 72 36 4/14/2021 Limitations • USM has low material removal rate (MRR) – Usually less than 50 mm3/min • Machining area and depth is restraint in USM • It is difficult to drill deep holes, as slurry movement is restricted • High Tool Wear rate • High power consumption Tool Wear in USM Process Figure Source: Yu et al., 2004 73 Laser Beam Machining • “Laser” is an acronym for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation • It was invented by amplifying ordinary light waves based on similar principle • Laser transmit light waves with constant frequency and wavelength without interference Fig Source: hyperphysics.phy‐astr.gsu.edu/, www.bronchotraining.org/ 74 37 4/14/2021 Laser Beam as an Energy Source • Laser light is monochromatic, i.e. its wavelength occupies a very narrow, portion of the spectrum • Hence, a simple lens is able to focus and concentrate laser light to a spot of much smaller diameter and much higher intensity than that obtained by other types of light Fig Source: www.cityu.edu.hk/ 75 Laser Beam as a Energy Source Contd.. • Laser light is coherent in nature (it travels in phase) • Hence, it gives higher focused intensities than normal light which is incoherent in nature • The low divergence rate of lasers is also responsible for high intensity of light • Thus, laser beam is a light source having unique properties like high monochromaticity, high degree of coherence, high brightness, high peak power, high energy per pulse, and very small size of the focused spot 76 38 4/14/2021 Laser Beam Wavelengths • Wavelength of commonly used lasers lies between 0.21 μm ‐ 11 μm • Ruby = 0.7 μm • Nd : YAG ≈ 1.0 μm • CO ≈ 2.7 μm • CO2 ≈ 10.6 μm Fig Source: adarecosmetics.ie/ 77 Laser Device • Three important elements of any laser device – Laser medium (a collection of atoms, molecules, or ions) – Pumping energy source required to excite these atoms to higher energy level – Optical feedback system • Consider a gas laser consisting of a thin tube filled with gas at low pressure • There are electrodes placed at both ends of the tube • Electric current when passed through provides sufficient energy to stimulate the atoms/molecules of the gas in the tube 78 39 4/14/2021 Laser Device Contd.. • The feedback mechanism for laser resonator consists of parallel mirrors kept at the ends of the tube • One of these mirrors is fully reflective while the other one is partially transparent to provide the laser output (output mirror) • It allows a beam of radiation to either pass through, or bounce back and forth repeatedly through the laser medium 79 Laser for Machining • To make the laser beam useful for processing of materials, its power density should be increased by focusing • The power density of laser beam and its interaction with the workpiece will determine whether the beam will be able to perform the function of welding, cutting, heat treatment or marking Fig Source: www.bystronicusa.com/, www.sme.org/ 80 40 4/14/2021 Laser for Machining Contd.. • To perform a machining operation, laser beam power density should lie between 1.5 x 106 to 1.5 x 108 W/cm2, and the workpiece should be kept very close to prime focus • However, for welding, lower power densities of the order of 1.5 x 104 to 1.5 x 105 W/cm2 are adequate 81 Laser Beam Machining • As the laser beam falls on the workpiece surface, reflection and transmission of electromagnetic waves at the interface of air‐workpiece material takes place • Reflection and transmission of electromagnetic waves of given wavelength depend on its reflectivity and absorption coefficient 82 41 4/14/2021 Laser Beam Machining Contd.. Fig Source: i0.wp.com/ 83 Laser Beam Machining Contd.. • Depending upon the intensity of the beam, one of the following events may take place: – In case of low intensity beam, there may be no phase change of the irradiated work material – In case of high intensity beam, the work surface temperature would rise up to or above its boiling point and vaporization would lake place 84 42 4/14/2021 Types of Lasers • There are two types of lasers ‐ solid state laser and gas laser Ruby Solid State Laser Helium Neon Gas Laser Fig Source: www.mechanicalengineeringblog.com/ 85 Solid State Lasers • Because of poor thermal properties of solid state lasers (ruby and Nd:glass), they can’t be used for heavy duty work • Such lasers do not operate faster than 1 or 2 Hz • They are used only for low pulse applications like spot welding, drilling, etc. • However, Nd: YAG laser, most powerful in solid state lasers, is also used for operations like cutting • It is usually employed for light works 86 43 4/14/2021 Solid State Lasers Contd.. • Many materials with laser action have been developed ‐ calcium fluoride crystals doped with neodymium • The round crystal rods with reflective ends are used • Crystalline ruby is another material used for laser action • It is aluminum oxide with chromium ion impurities distributed through the aluminum lattice sites • Flash lamp surrounding the ruby rod produces light 87 Solid State Lasers Contd.. • Flash lamp and ruby rod are enclosed in the cylinder • This cylinder has highly reflective internal surfaces • These surfaces direct light from the flash lamp into the rod • This light excites the chromium ions of ruby crystal to high energy levels • While on return journey to the normal state, these excited ions at high energy levels release the photons (or energy). • Thus, desired energy is obtained in the form of short duration pulses 88 44 4/14/2021 Gas Lasers • In this type of laser, CO2, He, or N2 act as a lasing medium • These gases are recirculated and replenished to reduce the operating cost • Direct electrical energy is used to provide energy for stimulating lasing medium Fig Source: www.physics‐and‐radio‐electronics.com/ 89 Gas Lasers Contd.. • Axial flow CO2 laser has a power giving capacity of usually 100 W each meter length of the tube • For higher powers up to 1500 W and reduced floor space, folded resonator axial flow CO2 lasers are used • For very high power (several thousand watts) and still very compact CO2 laser is known as transverse flow, or gas transport laser 90 45 4/14/2021 Gas Lasers Contd.. • Large amount of gas volume is used • The resonator mirrors are positioned to reflect the beam several times before it escapes through the output mirror • Most of the lasers are computer controlled to take advantage of their high speed processing • During the processing of materials, motion can be given to either workpiece or the beam or both depending upon the design 91 LBM Process Characteristics • The relative magnitudes of heat consumption as losses and absorption by workpiece depend upon thermal and optical properties of the work material, and intensity and pulse duration of the laser beam • A part of the material being expelled from the work surface stays in the path of the beam in the form of small droplets and continues to absorb energy 92 46 4/14/2021 LBM Process Characteristics Contd.. • High capital and operating cost, and low machining efficiency (usually less than 1%) prevent LBM from being competitive with conventional machining techniques • Machining by LBM technique also reduces fatigue strength of the machined component as compared to the fatigue strength of the component when machined by conventional processes 93 LBM Modes of Machining • Industrial lasers operate either in continuous wave mode (CW) or pulsed mode • CW lasers are used for processes like welding, laser chemical vapor deposition (LCVD), surface hardening which require uninterrupted supply of energy for melting and phase transformation • Controlled pulse energy is desirable for the processes like cutting, drilling, marking so that HAZ is minimum possible 94 47 4/14/2021 LBM Modes of Machining Contd.. Continuous Wave Mode Pulsed Mode Fig Source: www.sme.org/ 95 Heat Affected Zone (HAZ) in LBM • LBM results in a heat affected zone (HAZ) • It has also been found that as the feed rate in LBM increases, the thickness of the HAZ goes down • The thickness of the HAZ is also governed by the type of assisting gas and its pressure (in case of gas assisted laser cutting), gas nozzle diameter, and the distance between the nozzle tip and the workpiece Fig Source: www.cmxr.com/ , www.gasparini.it/ 96 48 4/14/2021 LBM Process Capabilities • In LBM, there are no mechanical forces exerted on the workpiece • LBM process is capable of easily machining refractory, brittle, hard, metallic, and nonmetallic materials such as cast‐alloy, tungsten, titanium, alumina, and diamond • It can machine through any optically transparent material (say, glass) • As long as the beam path is not obstructed, it can be used to machine in otherwise inaccessible areas 97 LBM Process Capabilities • The laser beam can operate through transparent environment like air, gas, vacuum, and in some cases even liquids • However, LBM cannot be applied to highly conductive and reflective materials which have high heat conductivity or high reflectivity (aluminum, copper, and their alloys) • Because of this property, table made of aluminum is used to hold the workpiece while machining it by LBM process 98 49 4/14/2021 LBM Process Capabilities Contd.. • The least, diameter to which a laser beam can be focused depends upon the laser beam divergence, which is a function of the quality of the laser material and depth at which machining is being done • Using LBM, holes of large aspect ratio (= hole depth/diameter of hole) and of a very small diameter can be drilled • The taper angle of a drilled hole reduces with an increase in the depth of the hole 99 Recast Layer • Recast layer (i.e. any molten or vaporized material that re‐solidifies • Deposits on the machined surface has microcracks and is loose enough to be scraped off easily Fig Source: image.thefabricator.com/ 100 50 4/14/2021 Applications of LBM • Laser beam energy has been favorably employed for cutting difficult‐to‐machine materials such as hardened steels, composites, ceramics • However, the process is employed to those materials which have favorable thermal and optical properties • Laser beam energy has been utilized for operations like drilling, cutting 101 Applications of LBM Cond… • Laser beam energy has been utilized for operations like drilling, cutting, micromachining, trepanning, trimming, marking, welding, soldering, brazing Fig Source: www.vy‐tek.com/ 102 51 4/14/2021 Laser Beam Drilling • LBM process is extensively used for making small holes (microhole dia. < 1 mm, small hole dia. 1.0‐3.2 mm • Also known as laser percussion hole drilling • The workpiece is placed at or near the focal point of the laser beam • The localized high intensity heat results in melting of a part of the material and a small part may vaporize • Escaping of vaporized material results in most of the volume of molten material to be removed as a spray of the droplets 103 Laser Beam Drilling Contd.. • Superalloys due to their properties like toughness, creep strength, and hot corrosion resistance at high temperatures, are commonly used materials for the turbine components like blades, guide vanes, afterburners and casings where temperatures as high as 2000°C can reach • A large number of cooling holes are required to be drilled in some of these components • LBM is commonly used for this purpose 104 52 4/14/2021 Laser Beam Cutting • Larger sized holes (> 1.2 mm diameter) can’t be drilled by this process because of low power density of the focused beam • Cutting is done at high speed and it is capable to pierce the workpiece at any location and can cut omni‐directionally • The gas jet assists in clearing the material from the cut, and also to keep debris away from contaminating the focusing lens • Laser cutting does not involve any mechanical type of forces 105 Laser Beam Engraving • LBM can be used to imprint letters, numerals and symbols on metal and nonmetal workpieces • The system is made up of pulsating laser system and a computer‐controlled beam scanning system Fig Source: bookwormlaser.com/, s‐media‐cache‐ak0.pinimg.com/ 106 53 4/14/2021 LBM – Miscellaneous Applications • LBM is being employed for both micromachining as well as macro machining • A three‐dimensional laser beam machining process can be performed using two independent lasers simultaneously to cut two grooves which are moving closer to each other • When these two grooves converge, a volume is cut off without being melted/vaporized 107 Plasma Arc Machining • Uses plasma stream operating at very high temperatures to cut metal by melting 108 54 4/14/2021 Operation of PAC • Plasma = superheated, electrically ionized gas – PAC temperatures: 10,000C to 14,000C (18,000F to 25,000F) • The plasma flows through water‐cooled nozzle that constricts and directs stream to desired location • The plasma arc is generated between electrode in torch and anode workpiece 109 Applications of Plasma Arc Machining • Most applications involve cutting of flat metal sheets and plates • Hole piercing and cutting along a defined path • Can be operated by hand‐held torch or automated by CNC • Can cut any electrically conductive metal • Most frequently cut metals: carbon steel, stainless steel, aluminum 110 55 4/14/2021 Thermo‐Electric Machining Process • Machining processes based on thermoelectric energy between the workpiece and an electrode • In this process, the material is removed electro‐ thermally by a series of successive discrete discharges between tool and the workpiece • Electrical Discharge Machining (EDM) 111 DEFINITION OF EDM • Electrical Discharge Machining (EDM) is the process of machining electrically conductive materials by using precisely controlled sparks that occur between an electrode and a workpiece in the presence of a dielectric fluid • Material removal is caused due to localized temperatures high enough to melt or vaporize the metal • The electrode may be considered the cutting tool • Can be used only on electrically conducting work materials 112 56 4/14/2021 Schematic of EDM (a) Setup of process and (b) close-up view of gap, showing discharge and metal removal 113 EDM as a Non‐Traditional Machining Process • One of the most widely used non‐traditional processes • It is a thermoelectric process in which heat energy of a spark is used to cause material removal • EDM differs from most chip‐making machining operations in that the electrode does not make physical contact with the workpiece for material removal • Since the electrode does not contact the workpiece, EDM has no tool force 114 57 4/14/2021 EDM as a Thermal Process • Material is removed by heat • Heat is introduced by the flow of electricity between the electrode and workpiece in the form of a spark • Material at the closest points between the electrode and workpiece, where the spark originates and terminates, are heated to the point where the material vaporizes 115 EDM as a Thermal Process Contd.. • While the electrode and workpiece should never feel more than warm to the touch during EDM, the area where each spark occurs is very hot • The area heated by each spark is very small so the dielectric fluid quickly cools the vaporized material and the electrode and workpiece surfaces • However, it is possible for metallurgical changes to occur from the spark heating the workpiece surface 116 58 4/14/2021 Working Principle of EDM • Workpiece and tool should be made of electrically conductive materials • Tool and Workpiece electrodes are immersed in dielectric medium such as kerosene and are connected to a capacitor • Capacitor is charged from a direct current (DC) source • As the potential across the electrodes crosses the breakdown voltage, the sparking takes place at a point of least electrical resistance 117 Working Principle of EDM Contd.. • Sparking usually occurs at the smallest inter‐ electrode gap • Spark energy is capable of partly melting and partly vaporizing the materials from a localized area on both electrodes (workpiece and tool) • The material is removed in the form of craters which spread over entire surface of the workpiece • Cavity produced in the workpiece is approximately replica of the tool 118 59 4/14/2021 Sparking Gap • The electrode must always be spaced away from the workpiece by the distance required for sparking, known as the sparking gap • Should the electrode contact the workpiece, sparking will cease and no material will be removed • Location of spark is determined by the narrowest gap between the tool and workpiece 119 Sparking Process • • • • Only one spark occurs at any instant Duration of each spark is very short Entire cycle time is usually few micro seconds Sparking occurs in a frequency range from 2,000 to 500,000 sparks per second causing it to appear that many sparks are occurring simultaneously • In normal EDM, the sparks move from one point on the electrode to another as sparking takes place 120 60 4/14/2021 Sparking Process Contd.. 121 Sparking Process Contd.. • The spark removes material from both the electrode and workpiece, which increases the distance between the electrode and the workpiece at that point • This causes the next spark to occur at the next‐closest points between the electrode and workpiece 122 61 4/14/2021 Lightning Analogy • Lightning is a discharge phenomenon of nature accompanied by a flash of light and the crash of thunder • Normally a gas, such as air, does not conduct electricity • However, when conditions are right, a discharge of electrical current can flow through air • This phenomenon is accompanied by a bolt of lightning (light & heat) and a roll of thunder (sound & pressure) Figure Source: www.nssl.noaa.gov, www.ec.gc.ca 123 Lightning Analogy Contd.. • In Electrical Discharge Machining (EDM) a very small “lightning bolt” or spark is created between the electrode and the workpiece many hundreds to thousands of times per second • A hole is made by repeatedly melting the work piece at this point of electric discharge and blowing away the molten material by pressure 124 62 4/14/2021 Lightning Analogy Contd.. • In nature, lighting usually strikes a place that is closest to the storm cloud – a tall tree, the peak of a mountain or the lightning rod on a roof for example • Just as in nature, the spark in EDM occurs at the closest point between the electrode and the work piece. However, the big difference between Nature and EDM is that the spark occurs in a gap the thickness of a human hair Lightning EDM Figure Source: www.atlantaedm.com/, www.tomstockton.us/ 125 Dielectric Fluid • A dielectric material is required to maintain the sparking gap between the electrode and workpiece • This dielectric material is normally a fluid • Die‐sinker type EDM machines usually use hydrocarbon oil, while wire‐cut EDM machines normally use deionized water • The main characteristic of dielectric fluid is that it is an electrical insulator until enough electrical voltage is applied to cause it to change into an electrical conductor 126 63 4/14/2021 Dielectric Fluid Contd.. • The dielectric fluids used for EDM machining are able to remain electrical insulators except at the closest points between the electrode and the workpiece • At these points, sparking voltage causes the dielectric fluid to change from an insulator to a conductor and the spark occurs • It should take minimum possible time to breakdown once the breakdown voltage is reached 127 Ionization Point of Dielectric • The time at which the dielectric fluid changes into an electrical conductor is known as the ionization point • When the spark is turned off, the dielectric fluid deionizes and the fluid returns to being an electrical insulator • This change of the dielectric fluid from an insulator to a conductor, and then back to an insulator, happens for each spark 128 64 4/14/2021 Ionization Point Contd.. 129 Functions of Dielectric Fluid • Dielectric fluid used in EDM machines provides important functions in the EDM process • These are: – Controlling the sparking‐gap spacing between the electrode and workpiece – Cooling the heated material to form the EDM chip – Removing EDM chips from the sparking area and cleaning the sparking gap • Gap cleaning is one of the crucial factors for good EDM 130 65 4/14/2021 Common Dielectric Fluids • The fluids commonly used as dielectric are transformer oil, paraffin oil, kerosene, lubricating oils, and deionized water • Deionized water gives high MRR and functions as more effective cooling medium but also causes high electrode wear rates and cause corrosion • Filtration of dielectric fluid before recirculation is highly essential so that a change in its insulation qualities during the process is minimal 131 EDM Chip Formation • As each spark occurs, a small amount of the electrode and workpiece material is vaporized • The vaporized material is positioned in the sparking gap between the electrode and workpiece in what can be described as a cloud • When the spark is turned off, the vaporized cloud solidifies • Each spark then produces an EDM chip or a very tiny hollow sphere of material made up of the electrode and workpiece material 132 66 4/14/2021 EDM Chip Formation Contd.. • Spark ON: electrode and workpiece material vaporized 133 EDM Chip Formation Contd.. • Spark OFF: vaporized cloud suspended in dielectric fluid 134 67 4/14/2021 EDM Chip Formation Contd.. • Spark‐OFF: vaporized cloud solidifies to form EDM chip • For efficient machining, the EDM chip must be removed from the sparking area • Removal of this chip is accomplished by flowing dielectric fluid through the sparking gap 135 Work Materials in EDM • Work materials must be electrically conducting • Hardness and strength of work material are not factors in EDM • Material removal rate depends on melting point of work material 136 68 4/14/2021 Tool Materials in EDM • The material to be used as tool electrode should possess desirable properties like easily machinable, low wear rate, good conductor of electricity and heat, cheap, and readily available • Tool materials include: – Graphite (easily machinable, low wear rate, and high conductivity) – Copper, brass (highly stable and relatively low wear rate) – Cast aluminum, copper boron, and silver tungsten • Copper and graphite are more commonly used 137 Types of EDM • Die‐sinking EDM (also known as ram type) – Requires the electrode to be machined in the exact opposite shape as the one in the workpiece • Wire‐cut EDM – Uses a continuous wire as the electrode – Sparking takes place from the electrode wire‐side surface to the workpiece • Small hole EDM – Similar to die‐sinking but is used to merely burn a hole through a usually hardened workpiece 138 69 4/14/2021 Electrolysis of NaCl • Consider an electrolytic cell in which DC battery sends electric current through the molten sodium chloride salt • Electrons from the battery enter the melt at the cathode, and when the circuit is complete, they leave the melt at the anode returning to the battery Fig Source: www.gcsescience.com/ 139 Electrolysis of NaCl Contd.. • Sodium ions (Na+) from the medium combine with the electrons available at the cathode, and produce sodium metal which accumulates at the cathode region • Thus, sodium ions are reduced (reduction process involves the addition of electrons) at the cathode 140 70 4/14/2021 Electrolysis of NaCl Contd.. • At the same time, chloride ions migrate towards the anode and are oxidized (in oxidation process electrons are released) to chlorine • In order to get a sustained flow of current, and to avoid accumulation of ions at the electrode, reactions must keep occurring at the electrode, to maintain electrical neutrality 141 Electrochemical Machining (ECM) • Electrolysis has been successfully put to work in the areas like electroplating, electroforming and electropolishing • Electrochemical Machining (ECM) is the process of controlled metal removal by electrochemical dissolution • Technology known as long back as 1780 AD but it is only over the last couple of decades that this method has been used to advantage 142 71 4/14/2021 ECM as a Non‐traditional Machining Process • Uses electrical energy is used in combination with chemical reactions to remove material • Tool does not contact the workpiece directly – Also known as contactless electrochemical forming 143 ECM Contd.. • During electrolysis, the electrical energy is used to produce a chemical reaction, therefore, the machining process based on this principle is known as electrochemical machining (ECM) • This process works on the principle of Faraday’s laws of electrolysis 144 72 4/14/2021 Faraday’s Laws of Electrolysis • In an electrolytic cell (or ECM cell), material removal is governed by Faraday’s laws of electrolysis – Law 1: The amount of chemical change produced by an electric current (or the amount of substance deposited or dissolved) is proportional to the quantity of electricity passed. – Law 2: The amounts of different substances deposited or dissolved by the same quantity of electricity are proportional to their chemical equivalent weights 145 Faraday’s Laws of Electrolysis Contd.. • M ∝ I.t • m = Z.I.t – where, I is the current strength (amperes), t is the time (seconds), Z is the electrochemical equivalent and m is mass in grams • Z = Atomic Mass/(n.F) – where F is Faraday’s constant (96500 As) and n is valence number of ions of the substance (electrons transferred per ion) 146 73 4/14/2021 Working Principle of ECM • In ECM, small electric DC potential (5‐25 V) is applied across the two electrodes ‐ cathode and anode (anode is work and cathode is tool) immersed in electrolyte • The transfer of electrons between the ions and the electrodes completes the electrical circuit 147 Working Principle of ECM Contd.. • The metal is detached, atom by atom, from the anode surface and appears in the electrolyte as positive ions • In electrochemical machining, detached metal appears as precipitated solid of metal hydroxides • During the electrolysis of water, its molecules gain electrons from cathode so that they separate into free hydrogen gas and hydroxyl ions. 148 74 4/14/2021 Working Principle of ECM Contd.. • As the anode dissolves, negatively charged hydroxyl ions are electrically balanced by positively charged metal ions entering into the electrolyte • Metal ions do not remain as ions in the solution when neutral electrolytes are used, but combine with the hydroxyl ions to form metal hydroxides • These hydroxides are insoluble in water hence they appear as solid precipitates and no longer affect the electrochemical reaction 149 Derivatives of ECM Process • Other machining processes which is based on electrochemical dissolution of anode – ECB (Electrochemical Boring) – ECD (Electrochemical Drilling) – ECDe (Electrochemical Deburring) – ECDS (Electrochemical Die Sinking) – ECG (Electrochemical Grinding) – ECH (Electrochemical Honing) – ECM (Electrochemical Milling) 150 75 4/14/2021 ECM vs. Electroplating • ECM is reverse electroplating • ECM removes metal while electroplating add metal on substrate surface ECM Process Electroplating Process Fig Source: www.selectiveplatinginc.com/ 151 ECM vs. Electropolishing • ECM involves removal of metal from targeted area on workpiece • It involves change in size and shape of the workpiece in a controlled manner • Electropolishing removes material from the entire workpiece surface • Magnitude of current density employed in ECM is very high 152 76 4/14/2021 Interelectrode Gap (IEG) • Smaller the interelectrode gap (the gap between the two electrodes), greater will be the current flow because resistance decreases and higher will be the rate of metal removal from the anode • High current density, in the small spacing (usually about 0.5 mm or less), promotes rapid generation of reaction products ‐ hydroxide solids and gas bubbles • These reaction products act as a barrier to the flow of electrolyzing current 153 Interelectrode Gap Contd.. • The cathode is moved towards the anode at the same rate at which the work is being dissolved so that the gap between the two electrodes remains constant – It really does not matter even if work is fed towards the tool • This will help in maintaining a constant material removal rate (MRR) • Smaller gap at various points between confronting surfaces of the electrodes‐tool and work‐will result in higher current density (J) and hence higher MRR 154 77 4/14/2021 Electrolyte • Electrolytes used in ECM consist of either acids or, more generally, basic salts • Electrolyte flowing at high velocity in the IEG serves different functions, – Dilutes the electrochemical reaction products and removes them out from the gap – Dissipates heat at a faster rate, and limits the concentration of ions at the electrode surface to give higher machining rates 155 Electrolyte Contd.. • Sodium chloride (NaCl) at the concentration of 20% ‐ for ferrous alloys (e.g. Steels and cast irons and cobalt alloys • Sodium nitrate (NaNO3) ‐ for ferrous alloys. • Hydrochloric acid (HCl) ‐ for Nickel alloys. • A mixture of sodium chloride (NaCl) and sulfuric acid (H2SO4) ‐ for nickel alloys. • A mixture of 10% hydrofluoric acid (HF), 10% hydrochloric acid (HCl), 10% nitric acid (HNO3) ‐ for Titanium alloys • Sodium hydroxide (NaOH) ‐ for tungsten carbide (WC) 156 78 4/14/2021 Electrolyte properties • Electrolyte variables which determine the geometry of the machined component include – Composition – Concentration – pH value – Temperature – Concentration of foreign elements 157 Electrolyte properties Contd.. • Amount of hydroxides in the electrolyte is confined by continuous removal using large settling tanks, filters, and centrifuging pumps • Composition, concentration and pH value of electrolyte solution are controlled by adding water and salt solution • Their quantity to be added depends upon the periodic analysis of the check samples • Temperature is another important factor which governs the electrical properties of the electrolyte – It is controlled (within ± 1° C) by heating or cooling the electrolyte while in the tank 158 79 4/14/2021 Electrolyte properties Contd.. • Selection of electrolyte is quite important • However, inexpensive, easily available and commonly used electrolyte is sodium chloride (common salt) • It is also necessary to pump the electrolyte at very high pressure through the IEG, so that the desired MRR can be maintained – Pressure of 2 to 35 kg cm‐2, leading to the electrolyte flow velocity as high as 10‐50 m/s 159 Advantages of ECM • No mechanical force • It can machine highly complicated and curved shapes in a single pass • A single tool has been used to machine a large number of pieces without any loss in its shape and size • Theoretically, tool life in ECM is very high • The machinability of the work material is independent of its physical and mechanical properties 160 80 4/14/2021 Mechanical Properties of ECM’d Parts • It has been reported that there is no effect of ECM on ductility, yield strength, ultimate strength, and micro‐hardness of the machined component • Surface layers damaged during conventional machining or by some other processes, may be removed by ECM and this may result in improvement in wear resistance • However, such removal of layers from the work surface reduces fatigue strength of a conventionally machined component 161 Summary • In this module, we have discussed: – Abrasive‐based Machining Processes – Advanced Mechanical Machining Processes – Thermal and Electrical Machining Processes – Electrochemical Machining Processes 162 81