Investigating the use of 3D printed tools for electrochemical machining: Lessons learned and future improvements

This paper describes the use of 3D printing in the production of tool electrodes for use in electrochemical machining (ECM). The majority of ECM jobs require the use of a unique form tool, production of which represents a significant expense. Additive manufacturing processes such as 3D printing offer the potential to lower cost of production and allow design of more complex tool electrode geometries. The tool electrodes used in this research effort were printed in polylactic acid (PLA) and subsequently fit with a copper electrode to serve as the electrical connection terminal for the tool. The tool surface intended for use as the electrode for ECM was coated with an electrically conductive paint before being copper electroplated to form a conductive surface. These 3D printed tool electrodes were successfully demonstrated to machine hardened tool steel in a prototype ECM machine, although challenges remain. This paper describes the development of ECM tools from 3D printed tool blanks, the prototype ECM system that was constructed to demonstrate use of the tool blanks, and the results of applying the 3D printed blanks to machine hardened tool steel. Next steps including potential improvements to tool electrodes are also discussed.