Machining of a film-cooling hole in a single-crystal superalloy by high-speed electrochemical discharge drilling

Single-crystal superalloys are typical advanced materials used for manufacturing aeroengine turbine blades. Their unique characteristics of high hardness and strength make them exceedingly difficult to machine. However, a key structure of a turbine blade, the film-cooling hole,needs to be machined in a single-crystal superalloy; such machining is challenging, especially considering the increasing levels of machining efficiency and quality demanded by the aeroengine industry. Tube electrode high-speed electrochemical discharge drilling(TSECDD), a hybrid technique of high-speed electrical discharge drilling and electrochemical machining, provides high machining efficiency and accuracy, as well as eliminating the recast layer. In this study, TSECDD is used to machine a film-cooling hole in a nickel-based single-crystal superalloy(DD6). The Taguchi methods of experiment are used to optimise the machining parameters. Experimental results show that TSECDD can effectively drill the film-cooling hole; the optimum parameters that give the best performance are as follows: pulse duration: 12 ls, pulse interval: 30 ls, peak current:6 A, and salt solution conductivity: 3 m S/cm. Finally, a hole is machined by TSECDD, and the results are compared with those obtained by electrical discharge machining. TSECDD is found to be promising for improving the surface quality and eliminating the recast layer.     

Effect of tube-electrode inner diameter on electrochemical discharge machining of nickel-based superalloy

Nickel-based superalloys are widely employed in modern aircraft engines because of their excellent material characteristics, particularly in the fabrication of film cooling holes. How-ever, the high machining requirement of a large number of film cooling holes can be extremely chal-lenging. The hybrid machining technique of tube electrode high-speed electrochemical discharge drilling (TEHECDD) has been considered as a promising method for the production of film cooling holes. Compared with any single machining process, this hybrid technique requires the removal of more complex machining by-products, including debris produced in the electrical discharge machin-ing process and hydroxide and bubbles generated in the electrochemical machining process. These by-products significantly affect the machining efficiency and surface quality of the machined prod-ucts. In this study, tube electrodes in different inner diameters are designed and fabricated, and the effects of inner diameter on the machining efficiency and surface quality of TEHECDD are inves-tigated. The results show that larger inner diameters could effectively improve the flushing condi-tion and facilitate the removal of machining by-products. Therefore, higher material removal efficiency, surface quality, and electrode wear rate could be achieved by increasing the inner diam-eter of the tube electrode.     

Experimental investigation of rotary sinking electrochemical discharge milling with high-conductivity salt solution and non-pulsed direct current

Electrochemical milling is a modified technique of traditional electrochemical machining (ECM) that can be used to manufacture some helicopter transmission system parts. The use of rotary tools and an inner-jet electrolyte supply pattern can greatly improve the material removal rate (MRR) in a single pass. However, the feed speed is generally limited to minimize the tool wear. To increase the MRR, electrical discharge machining (EDM) is introduced into the electrochemical milling process. The tool rotation is employed to interrupt the discharge and the high-conductivity salt solution and non-pulsed direct current power supply are also adopted to increase ECM, eventually, a new machining method is proposed, which can be called rotary sinking electrochemical discharge milling (RSECD milling). The mechanism of it is explored in this study by analyzing the machined current, MRR, surface morphology, and tool wear at different applied voltages and feed speeds. Besides, the RSECD milling using the tool with a larger diameter is also conducted to further verify the effectiveness. In particular, the MRR can be increased by 742.5% when using the tool with a diameter of 20 mm at the applied voltage of 20 V.     

Convex shaping process simulation during counter-rotating electrochemical machining by using the finite element method

In counter-rotating electrochemical machining(CRECM), a revolving cathode tool with hollow windows of various shapes is used to fabricate convex structures on a revolving part. During this process, the anode workpiece and the cathode tool rotate relative to each other at the same rotation speed. In contrast to the conventional schemes of ECM machining with linear motion of a block tool electrode, this scheme of ECM is unique, and has not been adequately studied yet. In this paper, the finite element method(FEM) is used to simulate the anode shaping process during CRECM, and the simulation process which involves a meshing model, a moving boundary,and a simulation algorithm is described. The simulated anode profiles of the convex structure at different processing times show that the CRECM process can be used to fabricate convex structures of various shapes with different heights. Besides, the variation of the inter-electrode gap indicates that this process can also reach a relative equilibrium state like that in conventional ECM. A rectangular convex and a circular convex are successfully fabricated on revolving parts. The experimental results indicate relatively good agreement with the simulation results. The proposed simulation process is valid for convex shaping prediction and feasibility studies as well.     

冰层辅助对电火花-电解复合穿孔的影响

电火花-电解复合穿孔(ECDD)加工方法有望实现难加工材料涡轮叶片气膜冷却孔无重铸层高效加工,为了进一步提升小孔孔壁的加工质量,提出了在工件底部填充冰层的电火花-电解复合穿孔加工新方法。分析了冰层辅助对复合加工过程中两极之间电流电压的波形、复合穿孔的加工效率、小孔的出入口孔径、孔壁重铸层去除等的影响,进行了冰层辅助与无冰层辅助电火花-电解复合穿孔对比试验。试验表明:冰层辅助加工可以在小孔穿透之后形成充分的反向冲液,有效地解决小孔穿透之后的漏液问题。在增加底部停顿时间的基础上,即小孔穿透后管电极到达预设深度继续停留一段时间,延长管电极对孔壁的电解作用时间,可以显著提高重铸层的去除效果,有望实现小孔整个孔壁重铸层的完全去除。     

Flow field design and process stability in electrochemical machining of diamond holes

The metal grille, commonly composed of an amount of diamond holes, has been grow-ingly used as a key structure on stealth aircraft. Electrochemical machining (ECM) promises to be increasingly applied in aircraft manufacturing on the condition that process stability is guaranteed. In this work, a flow field model was designed to improve the process stability. This model is endowed with a variety of flow channel features, together with vibrating feeding modes. The flow field distribution on the bottom surface of the diamond hole was discussed and evaluated as well. The numerical results show that a short arc flow channel could significantly enhance the uniformity of electrolyte velocity distribution and a vibrating feeding of the cathode enables to reduce both fluctuations of the electrolyte velocity and pressure on the bottom surface of the diamond hole. Consequently, the flow field mutations were eliminated. It is verified from the experimental results that a short arc flow channel, when combined with vibrating feeding, is capable of improving machining localization and process stability markedly. What is more, the side gap on the bottom surface of the diamond hole could also be reduced by the abovementioned approach.     

Breakthrough detection in electrochemical discharge drilling to enhance machining stability

Film cooling holes are widely used in aero-engine turbine blades. These blades feature large numbers of holes with complex angles and require a high level of surface integrity. Electrochemical discharge drilling(ECDD) combines the high efficiency of electrical discharge drilling(EDD) with high quality of electrochemical drilling(ECD). However, due to the existence of a variety of energy for material removal, accurate and timely detection of breakthroughs is fraught with difficulties. An insuffic...     

Trajectory optimisation in electrical discharge machining of three-dimensional curved and twisted channels

Numerical control electrical discharge machining(NC EDM) is one of the most widely used machining technologies for manufacturing a closed blisk flow path, particularly for three-dimensional(3D) curved and twisted flow channels. In this process, tool electrode design and machining trajectory planning are the key factors affecting machining accessibility and efficiency. Herein, to reduce the difficulty in designing the electrode and its motion path in the closed curved and twisted channels, a heur...     

Investigation of anode shaping process during co-rotating electrochemical machining of convex structure on inner surface

A novel co-rotating electrochemical machining method is proposed for fabricating convex structures on the inner surface of a revolving part. The electrodes motion and material removal method of co-rotating electrochemical machining are different from traditional electrochemical machining. An equivalent kinematic model is established to analyze the novel electrodes motion,since the anode and cathode rotate in the same direction while the cathode simultaneously feeds along the line of centres. Acc...     

脉冲电流大厚度电解线切割加工试验

航空航天难加工材料直纹面构件的高精度高表面完整性加工已经成为制造领域普遍关注和亟需解决的难题,电解线切割加工在高表面完整性要求加工场合上具有原理性优势。建立脉冲电流电解线切割加工模型,分析了工件厚度变化带来的影响。试验结果表明：随着工件厚度增加,电解液电阻减小,工件两端极间电压减小,加工缝宽变窄;双电层时间常数增大,脉宽时间内充电所能达到的电位降低,有效加工时间变短,平均电流密度较低;脉冲频率大于20 kHz时,最大进给速度随频率增加而快速减小,低于20 kHz时,最大加工速度差别较小。最后,采用脉冲频率20 kHz,以进给速度4 μm/s稳定加工出20 mm厚榫头/榫槽结构,表面粗糙度约为0.449 4 μm,表面质量、加工效率明显高于100 kHz加工效果。     

Electrochemical machining of complex components of aero-engines: Developments,trends, and technological advances

Because of several advantages, such as no tool wear, independence on the mechanical properties of the material, and high machining efficiency, electrochemical machining (ECM) has become a viable method for machining components in numerous industrial applications, particularly in the manufacture of typical aero-engine components with complex structures fabricated from materials that are difficult to cut. This paper highlights the current developments, new trends, and technological advances of key factors of ECM, such as electrochemical dissolution characteristics of novel difficult to cut materials which are often used in aero-engine, numerical simulation of electrochemical process, design for the complex profile and structure of cathode tool, flow field simulation and design for uniform electrolyte flow, and innovation of electrochemical machining or hybrid methods which reflect the state of the art in academic and industrial research on electrochemical machining in aero-engine manufacturing.     

Trajectory control strategy of cathodes in blisk electrochemical machining

A turbine blisk, which combines blades and a disk together, is one of the most important components of an aero engine. In the process of blisk electrochemical machining (ECM), the sheet cathode, which is usually used as a tool electrode, has a complicated structure. In addition to that, the channel between the adjacent blades is narrow and twisted, so interference is apt to happen when the sheet cathode feeds into the channel. Therefore, it is important to choose suitable trajectory control strategy. In this paper, a new trajectory control strategy of the sheet cathode is presented and corresponding simulation analysis is conducted on the basis of an actual blisk model. The simulation results demonstrate that the sheet cathode can feed into the channel by a spatial line trajectory without interference. Moreover, the verification experiments are carried out according to the simulation. The experimental results show that the cathode can move into the channel without interference. It is verified that the new trajectory control strategy is correct and can be used in the blisk ECM process successfully.     

逆流冷却罗茨鼓风机涡流与排气脉动的数值分析

运用计算流体动力学方法对逆流冷却在削弱罗茨鼓风机排气过程中存在的排气脉动方面进行了数值模拟,以动网格方法实现了计算域的变化并保证与转子旋转角度的匹配,在预进气与基元容积的动、静交接区域采用了非一致网格界面.对涡流与脉动流动瞬态特性的分析证明,逆流冷却可以避免排气口处的回流现象;在一个运行周期内,逆流冷却鼓风机的小脉动幅值仅为空冷鼓风机的20%～25%,这种小幅值脉动在降低排气气动噪声方面起重要作用.      

Flow field design and experimental investigation of electrochemical machining on blisk

Flow field is a crucial factor to influence the stability and surface quality in the electrochemical machining (ECM) of blisks. A four-way flow mode was proposed to eliminate mixing regions of electrolyte at the leading and tailing edges. Two flow field models were described separately in this report: a W-shaped flow mode and a four-way flow mode. The flow field was analyzed through a finite element method. The results showed that, in comparison with the W-shaped flow mode, the distribution of electrolyte flow was more uniformed and the mixed region in the flow channel was improved. The pressure of the leading and tailing edges inlets was optimized, and optimal pressure of 0.6 MPa was determined. In addition, verification experiments were performed, and the results showed that the stability, efficiency, and quality of the profiles of the blisk blade manufactured by ECM were enhanced in the new flow mode.     

有源功率因数校正技术在脉冲电源设计中的应用

针对节能电火花加工脉冲电源的设计过程中应用了有源功率因数校正技术,电源系统的性能通过工艺试验得到了验证,整个节能电源系统的功率因数提高到0．95。     

超细晶硬质合金加工机理及加工性能

围绕超细晶硬质合金精密磨削加工、在线电解修整磨削加工、电火花加工、超声复合加工、激光复合加工等加工方法,系统综述了超细晶硬质合金的加工机理和加工性能,并展望了超细晶硬质合金高效精密加工未来的研究重点。     

制作微结构的超声复合加工机理

提出了制作微结构的超声复合加工方法,分析了超声、超声复合电火花、超声复合电解微细加工机理。用微细放电组合工艺制作了多种截形微细工具电极;完善试验系统,进行了多种材料、形状微结构超声复合加工试验。结果表明:超声加工是制作硬脆材料微结构的有效方法;超声复合电火花制作金属材料微结构有较好的精度及加工稳定性;超声复合电解加工兼有效率高、精度好的技术优势。     

Improving profile accuracy and surface quality of blisk by electrochemical machining with a micro inter-electrode gap

Electrochemical machining (ECM) has emerged as an important option for manufacturing the blisk. The inter-electrode gap (IEG) distribution is an essential parameter for the blisk precise shaping process in ECM, as it affects the process stability, profile accuracy and surface quality. Larger IEG leads to a poor localization effect and has an adverse influence on the machining accuracy and surface quality of blisk. To achieve micro-IEG (<50 μm) blisk finishing machining, this work puts forward a novel variable-parameters blisk ECM strategy based on the synchronous coupling mode of micro-vibration amplitude and small pulse duration. The modelling and simulation of the blisk micro-IEG machining have been carried out. Exploratory experiments of variable-parameters blisk ECM were carried out. The results illustrated that the IEG width reduced with the progress of variable parameter process. The IEG width of the blade’s concave part and convex part could be successfully controlled to within 30 μm and 21 μm, respectively. The profile deviation for the blade’s concave surface and convex surface are 49 μm and 35 μm, while the surface roughness reaches R_a = 0.149 μm and R_a = 0.196 μm, respectively. The profile accuracy of the blisk leading/trailing edges was limited to within 91 μm. Compared with the currently-established process, the profile accuracy of the blade’s concave and convex profiles was improved by 50.5 % and 53.3 %, respectively. The surface quality was improved by 53.2 % and 50.9 %, respectively. Additionally, the machined surface was covered with small corrosion pits and weak attacks of the grain boundary due to selective dissolution. Some electrolytic products were dispersed on the machined surface, and their components were mainly composed of the carbide and oxide products of Ti and Nb elements. The results indicate that the variable-parameters strategy is effective for achieving a tiny IEG in blisk ECM, which can be used in engineering practice.     

钼钛锆高温合金的电火花加工工艺研究

针对钼钛锆这一耐高温材料在航天动力系统中的特殊加工需求,开展了电火花加工钼钛锆合金的工艺特性研究.采用DOE的方法,设计了25-1析因试验对放电参数进行筛选,得到对加工效果有显著影响的3个参数;在此基础上设计了响应曲面试验,探讨了包括脉宽、占空比和峰值电流等放电参数对材料去除率和电极相对损耗率的影响,并且拟合得到了材料去除率和相对电极损耗率的推荐公式和响应曲面图.通过分析试验结果表明:(1)材料去除率受峰值电流变化的影响最明显,并且脉宽与占空比呈现一定的交互关系;(2)电极相对损耗率受峰值电流变化影响不明显,受脉宽和占空比变化影响大,而且两者呈现一定的交互关系.     

Cathode design investigation based on iterative correction of predicted profile errors in electrochemical machining of compressor blades

Electrochemical machining (ECM) is an effective and economical manufacturing method for machining hard-to-cut metal materials that are often used in the aerospace field. Cathode design is very complicated in ECM and is a core problem influencing machining accuracy, especially for complex profiles such as compressor blades in aero engines. A new cathode design method based on iterative correction of predicted profile errors in blade ECM is proposed in this paper. A math-ematical model is first built according to the ECM shaping law, and a simulation is then carried out using ANSYS software. A dynamic forming process is obtained and machining gap distributions at different stages are analyzed. Additionally, the simulation deviation between the prediction profile and model is improved by the new method through correcting the initial cathode profile. Further-more, validation experiments are conducted using cathodes designed before and after the simulation correction. Machining accuracy for the optimal cathode is improved markedly compared with that for the initial cathode. The experimental results illustrate the suitability of the new method and that it can also be applied to other complex engine components such as diffusers.