Patent ID: 6398942
Filing Date: 2002-06-04
Classification: B23H

Abstract:
An electrochemical machining process for the fabrication of a cylindrical microprobe, comprising:a preparatory step for measuring a contact point through which an electrical current is first flowed when a workpiece set as an anode is brought into the electrolyte after immersing a cathodic tool in the electrolyte and for dipping the workpiece in an electrolyte to the length to be processed on the basis of the measured contact point after removal of the applied electric field; a condition-setting step for setting the diameter to be processed of the workpiece, the electrochemical equivalent volume constant of the workpiece, the current density to be applied across the electrodes, and the machining time interval for which to apply the current, a machining step for electrochemically machining the workpiece while continuously calculating and measuring changes in the surface area of the workpiece, the electric current flowing through the electrolyte, the quantity of electricity applied, and the diameter of the workpiece with machining time; a finishing step for determining whether or not the diameter of the workpiece reaches the preset value or whether the machining step is required to be repeated to further approximate the diameter of the workpiece to the preset value and stopping the machining step if a desired value is obtained from the measured diameter of the workpiece.