TWM678877U - Electrochemical machining jigs - Google Patents

Abstract

An electrochemical machining (EMC) jigs comprises a base, at least one positioning platform and at least one electrode rod. The base arranged on a working platform of the EMC machine has a flow channel. The liquid supply module of the EMC machine is connected to and provides electrolyte to the flow channel. The positioning platform is arranged on the base, and a metal workpiece is placed and fixed on the positioning platform. The electrode rod is movably arranged on the base, and the power supply module of the EMC machine electrically connects the metal workpiece and the electrode rod. After the metal workpiece is positioned on the positioning platform, the liquid supply module provides and injects electrolyte into the metal workpiece, the electrode rod moves into the metal workpiece, and the power supply module supplies power to the metal workpiece and the electrode rod to remove the burrs of the metal workpiece.

Description

Electrochemical machining fixtures

This invention relates to a machining fixture, and more particularly to an electrochemical machining fixture.

In recent years, with the continued booming development of the semiconductor, optoelectronic, and biomedical industries, many related products are moving towards ultra-precision, high density, intelligence, and miniaturization. Among these, milling is one of the most widely used machining technologies. However, milling has drawbacks such as difficulty in chip removal, heat dissipation, and susceptibility to tool deformation and breakage due to heat. In contrast, electrochemical machining (ECM) offers numerous advantages, including less tool wear, no limitations on the hardness or strength of the workpiece, the ability to machine workpieces with high hardness, fast processing speed, excellent surface smoothness, no burrs, and small rounded edges.

Electrochemical machining (ECM) is a technique that removes burrs from metal workpieces using electrolysis. The principle involves using the workpiece as the anode and the tool as the cathode. In an electrolyte solution, a low-voltage, high-current direct current causes electrochemical etching of the workpiece, precisely removing excess material (burrs). The advantages of ECM include non-contact machining, no mechanical or thermal stress, the ability to machine hard alloys and complex shapes, and no tool wear, making it particularly suitable for applications requiring precision machining.

This invention provides an electrochemical machining fixture to improve the mass production capability and convenience of electrochemical machining processes.

This invention relates to an electrochemical machining fixture, comprising a base, at least one limiting stage, and at least one electrode rod. The base is disposed on the working platform of an electrochemical machining machine and has a flow channel. The electrochemical machining machine's liquid supply module is connected to and supplies electrolyte to the flow channel. The limiting stage is disposed on the base, and a metal workpiece is placed and fixed on the limiting stage. The electrode rod is movably disposed on the base, and the electrochemical machining machine's power supply module is electrically connected to the metal workpiece and the electrode rod. When the metal workpiece is positioned on the limiting stage, the liquid supply module supplies and injects electrolyte into the metal workpiece, the electrode rod moves into the metal workpiece, and the power supply module supplies power to the metal workpiece and the electrode rod to remove burrs from the metal workpiece through electrochemical machining.

In one embodiment of this invention, the aforementioned limiting stage is conductive and electrically connected to a power supply module, which supplies power to the metal workpiece via the limiting stage.

In one embodiment of this invention, the electrochemical machining fixture further includes at least one movable clamp movably disposed on a base, and an electrode rod disposed on the movable clamp to be driven to move into or out of the metal workpiece.

In one embodiment of this invention, the movable clamp described above has a drive block on which an electrode rod is disposed. When the electrode rod extends into the metal workpiece through the interface of the metal workpiece, a gap is maintained between the drive block and the interface.

In one embodiment of this invention, the aforementioned limiting stage has a limiting groove and a limiting block, the limiting block being disposed in the limiting groove, and the metal workpiece being accommodated in the limiting groove and subject to the contact between the limiting groove and the limiting block.

In one embodiment of this invention, the electrochemical machining fixture further includes a top cover and a pressure bar. The top cover is vertically and vertically mounted on the base and suspended above the limiting stage. The pressure bar is assembled on the top cover to abut or release the metal workpiece as the top cover rises or falls.

In one embodiment of this invention, the aforementioned at least one electrode rod includes two electrode rods that extend into or out of the metal workpiece in opposite directions.

In one embodiment of this invention, the electrochemical machining fixture further includes at least one flow guide, which stands on a base and is located next to a limiting stage. The flow guide has a flow channel, and one end of the flow channel is connected to the flow channel. When the metal workpiece is positioned on the limiting stage, the interface of the metal workpiece is aligned with the other end of the flow channel.

In one embodiment of this invention, the aforementioned at least one flow guide includes a plurality of flow guides, and the orthographic projection of these flow guides on the base is located within the range of the flow channel.

Based on the above, the electrochemical machining fixture serves as a connecting medium between the metal workpiece and the chemical machining machine, allowing the metal workpiece to be processed to be integrated into the working platform of the chemical machining machine in a better position and state. Specifically, a limiting stage on the base serves to accommodate and position (fix) the metal workpiece, and further, the electrolyte is driven to be injected into the metal workpiece on the limiting stage through the flow channel of the base. Accordingly, the electrochemical machining fixture provides considerable convenience and mass production capability for the machining process.

Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an electrochemical machining fixture according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is an exploded schematic diagram of some components of the electrochemical machining fixture of Figure 1. Referring to Figures 1 and 2 simultaneously, in this embodiment, the electrochemical machining fixture 100 for mounting on the work platform 12 of the electrochemical machining machine includes a base 110, a drive fixture group DS mounted on the base 110, a top cover 160, and a pressure rod 170. The base 110 includes plates 111 and 112. Plate 111 is stacked on the work platform 12, and plate 112 is stacked on plate 111. The drive fixture group DS is mounted on plate 112. The top cover 160 includes a cover body 161 and a column 162. The column 162 stands on the base 110, and the cover body 161 is slidably fitted onto the column 162 to rise and fall relative to the base 110. A pressure rod 170 is disposed on the cover body 161 to rise and fall with the cover body 161, and can abut against the metal workpiece when it is lowered, and release the metal workpiece when it is raised, as will be described in further detail later.

The base 110 of this embodiment has a flow channel CH, and the electrolyte supply module 310 of the electrochemical machining center is used to supply and inject electrolyte into the base 110. As shown in Figure 2, the plate 111 of the base 110 has a sub-flow channel 111a and a pair of openings 111b. After the electrolyte supplied by the electrolyte supply module 310 is injected into the sub-flow channel 111a, it flows into the sub-flow channel 112a of the plate 112 through the openings 111b, and is injected into the relevant components of the drive fixture group DS through the openings 112b, so as to facilitate the supply of electrolyte to the metal workpiece. This will be explained in detail later.

Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the drive components of the electrochemical machining fixture in Figure 1. Figure 4 is an exploded schematic diagram of the drive components of the electrochemical machining fixture in Figure 3. Referring to both Figures 3 and 4, the drive fixture group DS of this embodiment includes four sets of drive components DA1, DA2, DA3, and DA4 disposed on the plate 112, each of which supports and positions a metal workpiece 200. The drive components DA1, DA2, DA3, and DA4 each include a limiting stage 120, a pair of electrode rods 131 and 132, a flow guide 140, and a pair of movable clamps 151 and 152. The limiting stage 120 has a limiting groove 121 and a limiting block 122. The limiting block 122 is disposed in the limiting groove 121, and the metal workpiece 200 is accommodated in the limiting groove 121 and subjected to abutment between the limiting groove 121 and the limiting block 122. Here, the limiting stage 120 provides two-dimensional limiting of the metal workpiece 200 on its plane.

Figure 5 illustrates the substrate and some of its components. Furthermore, referring to Figures 4 and 5 simultaneously, the flow guide 140 of this embodiment is disposed on the base 110 and located next to the limiting stage 120. The flow guide 140 has a flow channel 141, one end of which is connected to the flow channel CH and is connected to the sub-flow channel 112a of the plate 112 as shown in Figure 5. The orthogonal projection of these flow guides 140, and especially these flow channels 141, on the base 110 is substantially within the range of the flow channel CH (which includes the aforementioned sub-flow channel 111a, opening 111b, sub-flow channel 112a and opening 112b), so that the electrolyte can be smoothly transferred from the liquid supply module 310 and the flow channel CH to the flow guide 140. When the metal workpiece 200 is positioned on the limiting stage 120, the electrolyte in the flow channel CH can be injected into the metal workpiece 200 through the guide channel 141. Referring again to Figures 3 and 4, the movable clamps 151 and 152 in this embodiment are, for example, toggle clamps, and are movably disposed on opposite sides of the limiting stage 120. Electrode rods 131 and 132 are respectively disposed on the drive blocks 151a and 152a of the movable clamps 151 and 152. In this embodiment, during the electrochemical machining process, the operator can drive the electrode rods 131 and 132 to move into or out of the metal workpiece 200 through the movable clamps 151 and 152 to perform machining operations or release machining operations.

Figure 6 illustrates another state of the electrochemical machining fixture of Figure 1. Referring to Figure 6 and comparing it with Figures 1 and 4, in this embodiment, after the metal workpiece 200 has been placed and positioned on the limiting stage 120 as shown in Figure 4, the operator can drive the top cover 160 to descend, so that the pressure rod 170 can be smoothly pressed against the metal workpiece 200 to provide a third-dimensional limiting effect. At this point, the metal workpiece 200 has been fixed on the limiting stage 120, and subsequent electrochemical machining operations can be performed.

Figures 7A and 7B illustrate the electrochemical machining process before and during machining. Sectional views are provided to facilitate identification of the internal structure of the metal workpiece 200 and the correspondence between the electrode rods 131 and 132. Please refer to both Figures 7A and 7B. It should be noted that, to avoid visual clutter, only Figure 7A shows the power supply module 320 of the electrochemical machining machine and its electrical connections to related components. Figure 7B also shows the same electrical connections and is therefore omitted. In this embodiment, the limiting stage 120 is conductive and electrically connected to the power supply module 320, which supplies power to the metal workpiece 200 via the limiting stage 120. Furthermore, after the aforementioned limiting is completed, the user drives the movable clamps 151 and 152 (as shown in Figures 3 and 4) to drive the electrode rods 131 and 132 to extend into the metal workpiece 200 respectively. When the electrode rods 131 and 132 extend into the metal workpiece 200 through the interfaces E1 and E2, gaps G1 and G2 are maintained between the electrode rods 131 and 132 and the interfaces E1 and E2 respectively. At the same time, the metal workpiece 200 positioned on the limiting stage 120 also means that its interface E3 is engaged with the guide channel 141 of the guide member 140, thus successfully receiving the electrolyte. Based on the above, once the electrolyte enters the metal workpiece 200, the power supply module 320 can supply power to the limiting stage 120 (which is also equivalent to the metal workpiece 200) and the electrode rods 131 and 132. This results in a positive potential for the limiting stage 120 (metal workpiece 200) and a negative potential for the electrode rods 131 and 132, allowing the electrolyte to remove burrs from the inside of the metal workpiece 200. The electrolyte, after completing the electrochemical machining, can then be discharged from the metal workpiece 200 through the gaps G1 and G2 between the electrode rods 131 and 132 and the interfaces E1 and E2.

It should also be noted that although the movable clamps 151, 152 and the top cover 160 in this embodiment are driven manually by the operator, this is not a limitation. In other embodiments not shown, the relevant actions may be performed electrically or by cylinders depending on the difference in the usage environment to improve work efficiency.

In summary, in the above embodiments of this invention, the fixture has a base mounted on the working platform of the electrochemical machining (ECM) machine, and a flow channel is provided within the base to allow the ECM machine's liquid supply module to connect and supply electrolyte to the flow channel. Furthermore, the limiting stage, top cover, and upper pressure rod provide positioning for the metal components. Therefore, when the metal workpiece is positioned on the limiting stage, the liquid supply module provides and injects electrolyte into the metal workpiece, the electrode rod moves into the metal workpiece, and the power supply module supplies power to the metal workpiece and the electrode rod to remove burrs from the metal workpiece through electrochemical machining.

12: Working platform; 100: Electrochemical machining fixture; 110: Base; 111, 112: Plate; 111a, 112a: Sub-channel; 111b, 112b: Opening; 120: Limiting stage; 121: Limiting groove; 122: Limiting block; 131, 132: Electrode rod; 140: Flow guide; 141: Flow guide; 151, 152: Movable clamp; 151a, 152a: Drive block; 160: Top cover; 161: Cover body; 162: Column; 170: Pressure rod; 200: Metal workpiece; 310: Liquid supply module; 320: Power supply module; CH: Flow channel; DS: Drive fixture group. DA1, DA2, DA3, DA4: Drive components; E1, E2, E3: Interfaces; G1, G2: Clearances

Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an electrochemical machining fixture according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is an exploded schematic diagram of some components of the electrochemical machining fixture of Figure 1. Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the drive assembly of the electrochemical machining fixture of Figure 1. Figure 4 is an exploded schematic diagram of the drive assembly of the electrochemical machining fixture of Figure 3. Figure 5 shows a substrate and some components thereon. Figure 6 shows another state of the electrochemical machining fixture of Figure 1. Figures 7A and 7B show schematic diagrams before and during electrochemical machining.

12: Work Platform

100: Electrochemical Machining Fixtures

110: Base

111, 112: Plates

160: Lid

161: Cover Body

162: Column

170: Pressure bar

DS: Drive Fixture Group

Claims (9)

An electrochemical machining fixture includes: a base disposed on the working platform of an electrochemical machining machine, the base having a flow channel, wherein a liquid supply module of the electrochemical machining machine is connected to and supplies electrolyte to the flow channel; at least one limiting stage disposed on the base, wherein a metal workpiece is placed and fixed on the limiting stage; and at least one electrode rod movably disposed on the base, wherein a power supply module of the electrochemical machining machine is electrically connected to the metal workpiece and the electrode rod, wherein when the metal workpiece is positioned on the limiting stage, the liquid supply module supplies and injects the electrolyte into the metal workpiece, the electrode rod moves into the metal workpiece, and the power supply module supplies power to the metal workpiece and the electrode rod to remove burrs from the metal workpiece by electrochemical machining. The electrochemical machining fixture as claimed in claim 1, wherein the limiting stage is conductive and electrically connected to the power supply module, which supplies power to the metal workpiece via the limiting stage. The electrochemical machining fixture as described in claim 1 further includes at least one movable clamp movably disposed on the base, and the electrode rod disposed on the movable clamp to be driven to move into or out of the metal workpiece. The electrochemical machining fixture as described in claim 3, wherein the movable clamp has a drive block, the electrode rod is disposed on the drive block, and a gap is maintained between the electrode rod and the interface when the electrode rod extends into the metal workpiece through the interface of the metal workpiece. The electrochemical machining fixture as described in claim 1, wherein the limiting stage has a limiting groove and a limiting block, the limiting block being disposed in the limiting groove, and the metal workpiece being received in the limiting groove and abutted by the limiting groove and the limiting block. The electrochemical machining fixture as described in claim 1 further includes a top cover and a pressure bar, the top cover being vertically and vertically erected on the base and suspended above the limiting stage, and the pressure bar being assembled to the top cover to abut or release the metal workpiece as the top cover is raised or lowered. The electrochemical machining fixture as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one electrode rod comprises two electrode rods that extend into or exit the metal workpiece in opposite directions. The electrochemical machining fixture as described in claim 1 further includes at least one guide member, which is erected on the base and located next to the limiting stage. The guide member has a flow channel, and one end of the flow channel is connected to the flow channel. When the metal workpiece is positioned on the limiting stage, the interface of the metal workpiece is connected to the other end of the flow channel. The electrochemical machining fixture as described in claim 8 includes a plurality of the flow guides, and the orthographic projection of the flow channels of the flow guides on the base is located within the range of the flow channels.