In the book he ended up using a dielectric made of ethylene glycol, soluble oil, and water to a ratio of 5:5:90. this is cheap enough that you can change it frequently to avoid the conductivity problem. |
Does anyone know if ethylene glycol has a common name or is used in any household products? I may have to track down a supplier.
Tool can be graphite, copper and in fact a lot of other conductive materials.
The tool will not wear as fast as the workpiece. Choice of material is one factor, but basically the polarity decide which of them will be the tool and what will be the workpiece.
In an EDM machine, try to minimize stick-slip. A combination of stick-slip and compliance can make it impossible to achieve the small movements needed. |
Is stick-slip the jerky type motion that too tight nuts, high friction can cause?
Is there a specific way to hold down the workpiece?
Apart from the dielectric being sprayed around the electrode, there really shouldn't be force on the workpiece. Maybe nothing at all would work?
I sounds like this will be a very good project. Has anyone set-up a page for a homemade EDM before?
I've looked around but havn't found any DIY EDM's
Thanks again for your replies
Matt