Sähkökoneistus

Sähkökoneistus, also known as electrical machining, is a group of non-traditional machining processes that utilize electrical energy to remove material. These methods are particularly effective for machining hard, brittle, or difficult-to-machine materials that are resistant to conventional mechanical cutting. The fundamental principle involves the controlled transfer of electrical energy from a tool electrode to a workpiece, resulting in localized material removal through processes like melting, vaporization, or chemical erosion.

The most prominent form of sähkökoneistus is Electrical Discharge Machining (EDM). In EDM, a series of electrical sparks between a shaped electrode and the workpiece, immersed in a dielectric fluid, erode the material. This process allows for the creation of complex shapes, sharp corners, and intricate details with high precision. Another related technique is Electrical Chemical Machining (ECM), which uses an electrolytic solution and a shaped anode tool to electrochemically dissolve material from the workpiece, the cathode. ECM is known for its high material removal rates and for not inducing mechanical stress or altering the workpiece's surface properties. Sähkökoneistus processes are widely employed in industries such as aerospace, automotive, medical, and tool and die manufacturing for applications like mold making, part fabrication, and surface finishing.