Ntm Processes
NON TRADITIONAL MANUFACTURING PROCESSES- An overview
Introduction Non-traditional manufacturing processes is defined as a group of processes that remove excess material by various techniques involving mechanical, thermal, electrical or chemical energy or combinations of these energies but do not use a sharp cutting tools as it needs to be used for traditional manufacturing processes. Extremely hard and brittle materials are difficult to machine by traditional machining processes such as turning, drilling, shaping and milling. Non traditional machining processes, also called advanced manufacturing processes, are employed where traditional machining processes are not feasible, satisfactory or economical due to special reasons as outlined below. • • • Very hard fragile materials difficult to clamp for traditional machining When the work piece is too flexible or slender When the shape of the part is too complex
Several types of non-traditional machining processes have been developed to meet extra required machining conditions. When these processes are employed properly, they offer many advantages over non-traditional machining processes. The common non-traditional machining processes are described in this section. Electrical Discharge Machining (EDM) Electrical discharge machining (EDM) is one of the most widely used non-traditional machining processes. The main attraction of EDM over traditional machining processes such as metal cutting using different tools and grinding is that this technique utilises thermoelectric process to erode undesired materials from the work piece by a series of discrete electrical sparks between the work piece and the electrode. A picture of EDM machine in operation is shown in Figure 1.
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Figure 1: Electrical discharge machine The traditional machining processes rely on harder tool or abrasive material to remove the softer material whereas non-traditional machining processes such as EDM uses electrical spark or thermal energy
Introduction Non-traditional manufacturing processes is defined as a group of processes that remove excess material by various techniques involving mechanical, thermal, electrical or chemical energy or combinations of these energies but do not use a sharp cutting tools as it needs to be used for traditional manufacturing processes. Extremely hard and brittle materials are difficult to machine by traditional machining processes such as turning, drilling, shaping and milling. Non traditional machining processes, also called advanced manufacturing processes, are employed where traditional machining processes are not feasible, satisfactory or economical due to special reasons as outlined below. • • • Very hard fragile materials difficult to clamp for traditional machining When the work piece is too flexible or slender When the shape of the part is too complex
Several types of non-traditional machining processes have been developed to meet extra required machining conditions. When these processes are employed properly, they offer many advantages over non-traditional machining processes. The common non-traditional machining processes are described in this section. Electrical Discharge Machining (EDM) Electrical discharge machining (EDM) is one of the most widely used non-traditional machining processes. The main attraction of EDM over traditional machining processes such as metal cutting using different tools and grinding is that this technique utilises thermoelectric process to erode undesired materials from the work piece by a series of discrete electrical sparks between the work piece and the electrode. A picture of EDM machine in operation is shown in Figure 1.
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Figure 1: Electrical discharge machine The traditional machining processes rely on harder tool or abrasive material to remove the softer material whereas non-traditional machining processes such as EDM uses electrical spark or thermal energy
References: 2. Manufacturing Engineering and Technology Fifth Edition - Serope Kalpakjian and Steven R Sschmid. (Prentice Hall), 2006.