Fabrication of Convex Plate-Shaped Micro Tool Electrode and its Application in Micro Hole Machining by ECM

A method of fabricating convex plate-shaped micro electrode was proposed based on the electrochemical etching principle. The square sectional electrodes were prepared in advanced using wire-EDM, The micro cylindrical electrode was fabricated firstly by using the eletrochechemical etching method. Then the top end was insulated to protect it from etching. Then the convex plate-shaped micro electrode was obtained in subsequent etching. Comparative experiments in drilling micro-hole in stainless steel with the thickness of 1mm were done by using the cylindrical and convex plate-shaped micro electrode. Results shows that the better locality, smaller side-gap and hole taper could be obtain by using convex plate-shaped micro electrode.