Operational Characteristics of Electrochemical Machining (ECM).

A summary is presented of certain qualitative features of electrochemical machining (ECM) operations. A new concept of the ″ECM Characteristic Curve″ is presented and discussed for two different ECM machine systems. The maximum metal removal rate is defined based on the ECM Characteristic Curve. For simple ECM geometries, the Characteristic Curve and maximum metal removal rate can be determined theoretically using a computer program. Experimental confirmation of the Characteristic Curve for simple geometries suggests that the Characteristic Curve and maximum metal removal rate can be determined for more complicated geometries.