Patent ID: 6689269
Filing Date: 2004-02-10
Classification: B23H,C25F

Abstract:
Method for processing a workpiece by means of a desired electrochemical reaction, comprising arranging at least a part of the workpiece which contains an area to be processed as a workpiece electrode within an electrolyte at a distance from a tool electrode and applying a pulsating or alternating electrical voltage between the two electrodes, wherein:the applied voltage has a time mean value within a range of a system characteristic curve in which no noticeable reaction current flows; deflections, measured relative to the mean value, of the applied voltage are dimensioned in their amplitude, their respective duration and their frequency such that an electrochemical double layer, at least at the workpiece and there only in areas which are no further away from the tool electrode than a selected maximum distance dmax, is charge reversed periodically between two charge voltages, of which at least one is sufficient to bring about the desired reaction; and the space between the two electrodes has a shape which is dimensioned such that only points of the area to be processed lie within the said maximum distance dmax.