Research Article

Effect of loose abrasive mixed electrolyte on the aspect ratio of blind holes drilled in soda-lime glass by ECDM process

Division of Manufacturing Process and Automation Engineering, Netaji Subhas Institute of Technology, New Delhi-110078, India

^* e-mail: sanjaykchak@yahoo.com

Received: 6 May 2020
Accepted: 18 October 2020

Abstract

Electro-Chemical Discharge Machining (ECDM) process has the potential to machine various features and 3D surfaces on glass. However, machining of high aspect ratio micro holes is a challenging problem in ECDM process. In ECDM process, the machining rate mainly depends on the availability of the electrolyte at the electrode tip. Machining accuracy like taper, entry and exit diameter of the hole at high depths is rigorously affected due to lack of electrolyte at the machining zone resulting in more taperness. Low surface qualities (i.e. more over cut and tapered micro holes) are few limitations of the process. To enhance the machining capabilities a novel approach of PMECDM has been conducted. Present study is mainly focused on behavior of abrasive particles while machining soda lime glass, also studied effect of process parameters on the responses such as machining depth, outer diameter and aspect ratio. Also, the study led to analyze the effect of thermal properties of abrasives on machining performance of ECDM process. The maximum machined depth achieved was 2.31 mm in 5 min, and tremendous reduction of outer diameter from 1237.37 μm to 712.8 μm. Response surface methodology has been used to plan the experiments and ANOVA has been used to analyze the impact of each process parameters on machined depth and outer diameter of the micro holes.