Micro-Hole Drilled by EDM-ECM Combined Processing

A new method for drilling micro-hole called EDM-ECM combined processing is proposed in this paper. This method consists of EDM shaping and ECM finishing, and they are carried out in sequence on the same machine tool with the same electrode but different dielectric medium. Micro-hole drilling experiment was done by micro-EDM, micro-ECM and EDM-ECM combined processing. The results show that the machining efficiency is improved by 9.2 times compared to conventional micro-ECM, and machining precision and shape accuracy of micro-hole are much better. The surface quality and mechanical property of the workpiece are improved, since the recast layer and surface defects generated by EDM are removed completely by ECM finishing. It proves that this combined machining method is possible and useful in the field of micro-hole drilling.