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Analysis of electrochemical machining characteristics using electrode tools fabricated by 3D printing

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Abstract

Three-dimensional (3D) printing technology can be used to easily and rapidly produce complex shapes. In this study, an electrode tool used for electrochemical machining (ECM) was fabricated using a 3D fused deposition modeling (FDM) printer. The electrode tool was made from acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), a low-cost material commonly used in 3D printing. Since the electrode printed with ABS material is non-conductive, additional conductive coating was applied to the tool surface. Electrical conductivity characteristics and coating thicknesses were analyzed with respect to the number of coatings to identify optimal coating conditions. The ECM performance of the fabricated electrode was then compared with that of a conventional copper electrode tool. The effect on the shape of the 3D printing electrode during machining according to the type of coating was analyzed. The thermal effect of the current applying had to be considered, and a suitable coating type was selected based on the experimental results. The fabricated ECM electrode can achieve significant machining quality to the existing electrode performance, and through the results of this study, it was possible to increase sustainability in the manufacturing industry with advanced machining technology.

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Acknowledgments

This study was supported by research funds from Chosun University (2020).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Mechanical Engineering, Chosun University, Gwang-Ju, 61452, Korea

    Uk-Su Kim & Jeong-Woo Park

  2. Department of Mechanical System and Automotive Engineering, Chosun University, Gwang-Ju, 61452, Korea

    Ki-Gwon Kim & Seong-Ung Kwak

Authors
  1. Uk-Su Kim
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  2. Ki-Gwon Kim
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  3. Seong-Ung Kwak
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  4. Jeong-Woo Park
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jeong-Woo Park.

Additional information

Jeong woo Park received the B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. degrees in precision mechanical from Pusan National University, Pusan, Korea. He joined University of Toyama, Japan as a Research Professor. He joined University of Victoria, Canada as a visiting scholar from 2014 to 2015. He is currently a Professor in School of Mechanical Engineering at Chosun University, Gwangju, Korea. His research interests are in the fields of ultra-precision machining, micro-nano fabrication, and non-traditional machining and systems.

Uk su Kim received the B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. degrees Mechanical System Engineering from Chosun University, Korea. He is currently a Post-Doc. in Department of Mechanical Engineering at Chosun University. Gwangju, Korea. His research interests are in electrochemical machining/polishing and intelligent machining system.

Ki gwon Kim received B.S., M.S. in Department of Mechanical System and Automotive Engineering, College of Engineering, Chosun University, Korea. His research interests are in advanced electrochemical machining using freeform electrode.

Seong ung Kwak received B.S., M.S. in Mechatronics Engineering, Chosun University, Korea. He is currently a Ph.D. student in Department of Mechanical System and Automotive Engineering at Chosun University. Gwangju, Korea. His research interests are in electrochemical hybrid surface finishing.

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Kim, US., Kim, KG., Kwak, SU. et al. Analysis of electrochemical machining characteristics using electrode tools fabricated by 3D printing. J Mech Sci Technol 37, 333–339 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12206-022-1232-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12206-022-1232-1

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