MICRO-MACHINING OF GLASS USING ELECTROCHEMICAL DISCHARGE ASSISTED CUTTING

Glass is a hard-to-machine material with vast industrial application. Electrochemical discharge machining (ECDM) is a non-traditional machining technology that has shown potential for effective glass machining. However, ECDM has not been widely used in industry despite being studied for over a decade. Major challenges of ECDM include limited machinable depth and low material removal rate. In this paper, an innovative hybrid machining process combining ECDM and traditional cutting is presented, namely electrochemical discharge assisted cutting. The material removal rate of the hybrid ECDM process is significantly higher than conventional processes. Experimental results are presented to prove the feasibility and capability of the process. Discussion concentrates on the improvement of geometric accuracy and surface integrity through experimentation.