Types of EDM (Electric discharge machining) can be divided into three main types: conventional Die sinking EDM (sinker EDM), Wire EDM and hole drilling EDM. Cutting oil is required in the gap between a tool electrode and a workpiece to initiate controlled electrical discharges for achieving removal of chips during EDM operation.
Sinker EDM machines typically use hydrocarbon oil for their dielectric fluid, into which both the workpiece and spark are immersed. In contrast, wire EDM machines normally use deionized water, into which only the sparking area is immersed. Whether oil-based or water-based, the dielectric fluid used in EDM machines serves three critical functions:
- Controlling the spacing of the sparking gap between the electrode and workpieces
- Cooling the heated material to form the EDM chips
- Removing EDM chips from the sparking area
Three types of fluids are commonly used for wire EDMs: deionized water, kerosene( petroleum-based) and emulsion (petroleum-based).
- the cooling effect of discharge gap is good, especially in the case of thick work pieces, the cooling effect is better. However, when de-ionized water is used, the cutting speed is low and the wire is easy to break. This is because the cooling ability of water is strong, the electrode wire is brittle and easy to break when the cold and heat change frequently. In addition, the water working liquid washing performance is poor, adverse to discharge of discharge products, discharge gap state is poor, so the surface black dirty, low processing speed.
- The production speed of kerosene working fluid is low, but it is not easy to break the wire.Because the dielectric strength of kerosene is high, the gap consumes more discharge energy, and less energy is distributed to the two poles.At the same time, under the same voltage, the discharge gap is small and chip removal is difficult, resulting in low cutting speed. However, kerosene is less affected by changes in cold and heat, and the electrode wire has little movement and wear, so it is not easy to break the wire. But the kerosene volatilizes quickly, the lubricating effect is poor, and the machined surface is not smooth.
- Emulsifying working fluids have higher cutting speeds. Because the dielectric strength of the emulsion is higher than that of water and lower than that of kerosene, and its cooling capacity is weaker than that of water and better than that of kerosene, the cutting speed is high.
In short, under the same process conditions, changing the type or concentration of cutting oils will have a great impact on the processing effect.
However, today’s society advocates environmental protection, harmlessness and pollution-free, so some working fluids are bound to be eliminated and not adopted by enterprises.
Like the above-mentioned kerosene, it contains lead, long-term exposure is harmful to the human body, and it also pollutes the environment.The use of emulsified oil is not recommended now, not only will it turn black and smelly after use, but also the national law strictly prohibits the direct discharge of “emulsified oil”.
For this reason, 3X has specially developed a new type of bio-based water-soluble working fluid, which is truly environmentally friendly, harmless and odorless.
All data break through traditional emulsified oil and are ideal alternatives for traditional emulsified oil. It has stronger chip removal ability, higher cutting efficiency, better surface finish and lower wire consumption.
During the machining, it is not easy to break the wire and short circuit, and the processing accuracy and stability are better.
