Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Micro-EDM-assisted machining micro-holes in printed circuit board

  • ORIGINAL ARTICLE
  • Published:
The International Journal of Advanced Manufacturing Technology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Printed circuit board (PCB) can provide assembly support and electrical connection for components in electronic systems. The machining of micro-holes in PCB is a necessary process and key step for its application in electronic components. Therefore, micro-holes are the key structures of PCB. At present, high-speed drilling based on micro-bit is the key supporting technology for machining PCB micro-holes. However, when the copper foil layer in PCB is machined by this technology, the micro-holes are prone to defects such as hole mouth burr and hole nail head, which could seriously affect the performance of PCB. Focusing on the above problems, this paper proposed to use micro electro-discharge machining (micro-EDM) for assisted machining of PCB micro-holes. With this method, the copper foil layer in PCB was machined by micro-EDM, so as to remove hole mouth burr and hole nail head. The paper detailedly studied the influence of micro-EDM voltage, pulse width and pulse interval on hole mouth burr and hole nail head. Finally, under the effects of 10,000 rpm rotational speed, 40 V voltage, 80 ns pulse width and 160 ns pulse interval, the micro-bit with diameter of 200 μm was used to carry out micro-EDM-assisted machining of the copper foil in PCB. From the machining results, it can be found that the hole mouth burr and the hole nail head were basically eliminated and PCB micro-holes with good quality were obtained by the proposed method.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9

Similar content being viewed by others

Data availability

All data generated or analysed during this study are included in this published article.

References

  1. Mohanty S, Kumar V, Das AK, Dixit AR (2019) Surface modification of ti-alloy by micro-electrical discharge process using tungsten disulphide powder suspension. J Manuf Process 37:28–41

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Liang W, Tong H, Li Y, Li BQ (2019) Tool electrode wear compensation in block divided EDM process for improving accuracy of diffuser shaped film cooling holes. Int J Adv Manuf Technol 103:1759–1767

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Kumar K, Singh V, Katyal P, Sharma N (2019) EDM μ-drilling in Ti-6Al-7Nb: experimental investigation and optimization using NSGA-II. Int J Adv Manuf Technol 104:2727–2738

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Lei JG, Wu XY, Wang ZL, Xu B, Zhu LK, Wu W (2019) Electrical discharge machining of micro grooves using laminated disc electrodes made of Cu and Sn foils. J Mater Process Technol 271:455–462

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Lei JG, Wu XY, Zhou ZW, Xu B, Zhu LK, Tang Y (2021) Sustainable mass production of blind multi-microgrooves by EDM with a long-laminated electrode. J Clean Prod 279:1–12

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Jahan MP, Wong YS, Rahman M (2009) A study on the quality micro-hole machining of tungsten carbide by micro-EDM process using transistor and RC-type pulse generator. J Mater Process Technol 209:1706–1716

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Shin MC, Kim YS, Cheong HG, Chu CN (2019) Performance of a TR-iso-pulse generator in micro ED-drilling. Precis Eng 56:438–446

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Chen ST (2008) Fabrication of high-density micro holes by upward batch micro EDM. J Micromech Microeng 18(8):085002

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Natsu W, Maeda H (2018) Realization of high-speed micro EDM for high-aspect-ratio micro hole with mist nozzle. Procedia CIRP 68:575–577

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Hsue WJ, Chang YF (2016) Toward synchronous hybrid micro-EDM grinding of micro-holes using helical taper tools formed by Ni-Co/diamond Co-deposition. J Mater Process Technol 234:368–382

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Zhang Y, Xu ZY, Zhu D, Qu NS, Zhu Y (2016) Drilling of film cooling holes by a EDM/ECM in situ combined process using internal and side flushing of tubular electrode. Int J Adv Manuf Technol 83:505–517

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Zhang L, Tong H, Li Y (2015) Precision machining of micro tool electrodes in micro EDM for drilling array micro holes. Precis Eng 39:100–106

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Huang YH, Zhang QH, Xing QX, Yao ZY, Li JC (2019) Effects of electrode rotational speed on processing performances of AISI 304 in micro-electrical discharge machining. Int J Adv Manuf Technol 105:1665–1674

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Yu ZY, Zhang Y, Li J, Luan J, Zhao F, Guo DM (2009) High aspect ratio micro-hole drilling aided with ultrasonic vibration and planetary movement of electrode by micro-EDM. CIRP Ann Manuf Technol 58:213–216

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Wang K, Zhang QH, Zhang JH (2019) Evaluation of scale effect of micro electrical discharge machining system. J Manuf Process 38:174–178

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Dong SL, Wang ZL, Wang YK, Zhang J (2017) Micro-EDM drilling of high aspect ratio micro-holes and in situ surface improvement in C17200 beryllium copper alloy. J Alloys Compd 727:1157–1164

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Li ZK, Bai JC, Cao Y, Wang YQ, Zhu GZ (2019) Fabrication of microelectrode with large aspect ratio and precision machining of micro-hole array by micro-EDM. J Mater Process Technol 268:70–79

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Jiang Y, Zhao WS, Xi XC (2012) A study on pulse control for small-hole electrical discharge machining. J Mater Process Technol 212:1463–1471

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. Bellotti M, Qian J, Reynaerts D (2020) Self-tuning breakthrough detection for EDM drilling micro holes. J Manuf Process 57:630–640

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Feng GL, Yang XD, Chi GX (2019) Experimental and simulation study on micro hole machining in EDM with high-speed tool electrode rotation. Int J Adv Manuf Technol 101:367–375

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. Feng YR, Guo YF, Ling ZB, Zhang XY (2019) Micro-holes EDM of superalloy Inconel 718 based on a magnetic suspension spindle system. Int J Adv Manuf Technol 101:2015–2026

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

The authors are also grateful to the colleagues for their essential contribution to the work.

Funding

This work is supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 51775351 and 51805333), the Natural Science Foundation of Guangdong Province (Grant No. 2018A030310512), the Science, Technology and Innovation Commission of Shenzhen Municipality (Grant Nos. JSGG20170824111725200 and JCYJ20190808143017070).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Micro/Nano Optomechatronics Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, China

    Bin Xu, Xin-ke Feng, Xiao-yu Wu, Feng Luo, Hang Zhao & Jian-guo Lei

  2. Shenzhen Jinzhou Precision Technology Corp., Shenzhen, 518116, China

    Lian-yu Fu

  3. Han’s CNC Science and Technology Corp., Shenzhen, 518057, China

    Xue-tao Zhai

  4. Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China

    Yong-hua Zhao

Authors
  1. Bin Xu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Xin-ke Feng
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Xiao-yu Wu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Feng Luo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Lian-yu Fu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Xue-tao Zhai
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Yong-hua Zhao
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. Hang Zhao
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  9. Jian-guo Lei
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Contributions

Bin Xu, Xin-ke Feng and Jian-guo Lei designed all experiments included in this study, wrote and modified this manuscript. Xiao-yu Wu and Feng Luo assisted in conducting the experiments. Lian-yu Fu, Xue-tao Zhai, Yong-hua Zhao and Hang Zhao made suggestions about this manuscript.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jian-guo Lei.

Ethics declarations

Ethics approval and consent to participate

The article follows the guidelines of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) and involves no studies on human or animal subjects.

Consent for publication

All authors have read and agreed to publish the manuscript.

Competing interests

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Additional information

Publisher’s note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Xu, B., Feng, Xk., Wu, Xy. et al. Micro-EDM-assisted machining micro-holes in printed circuit board. Int J Adv Manuf Technol 113, 1191–1201 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00170-021-06709-z

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00170-021-06709-z

Keywords

Search

Navigation