The Experimental Research on Electrodischarge Drilling of High Aspect Ratio Holes in Inconel 718

摘要

In recent years the drilling operations become important area of electrodischarge machining (EDM) application. This especially concerns drilling of, small (D<1mm), cylindrical and high-aspect ratio (L/D> 10) holes in difficult-to-cut materials (i.e. nickel or titanium alloys). Drilling of such a holes is significantly beyond mechanical drilling capabilities. Therefore electrodischarge machining is good and cost efficient alternative for such application. EDM gives possibility to drill accurate, burr free and high aspect ratio holes and is applicable to machine wide range of conductive materials, irrespective of their hardness and toughness. However it is worth to underline its main disadvantages such as: significant tool wear, low material removal rate and poor surface integrity. The last one is especially important in reliable applications in aircraft or medical industry.