Alternative manufacturing: How EDM and ECM can effectively reduce costs

Chicago, Illinois – The quality required in demanding machining applications can be enhanced, with better surface finishes, using forms of electro discharge machining (EDM) and electro chemical machining (ECM) that have been developed and are in production today.

The productivity and suitability of both EDM and ECM are not dependent upon the machinability factor of the material; if it is conductive then both processes are effective, independent of the difficulty in machining by conventional means.

When correctly applied the results are obtained faster, with no post-processing required, than using previous generations of machines.

EDM applications such as single electrode shaped-hole cooling hole machining in turbine blades and vanes and ECM applications such as final form machining of medical devices, implants and special valves are discussed.

PECM, which utilizes pulsed power supplies and an oscillating head, is also discussed. This type of electro chemical machining has the ability to generate extremely intricate cavities with incredible definition and surface finishes; it can produce better surface finishes than low-wear EDM with no tool wear and no recast layer or heat-affected zone with production rates orders of magnitude faster.

About the speaker
John Stackhouse has been involved with EDM, ECM and other non-traditional processes for more than 30 years. He was previously with Dynetics Corp. and Winbro Group Technologies and now is executive vice president of Global Specialty Machines. He is based in Boston, Massachusetts, but travels the world for Global Specialty Machines, utilizing his trained judgment and skill to promote EDM, fast hole drilling and electro chemical machining in key industries such as those of aerospace and industrial gas turbines