Page 54 - EDM Today Winter 2025

EDM Today Magazine EDM Today Magazine EDM Today Magazine

Table 3 compares ECM and EDM. Which is better?
It depends on the application.

Both are fascinating technologies. Manufacturing tech-
nology is an art, and part of it involves intelligently com-
bining different technologies to solve specifi c problems.

EDM Today Magazine EDM Today Magazine EDM Today Magazine
Fig. 8: Examples of blades and vanes machined by ECM [2]

Table 3: ECM vs EDM
EDM Today would like to thank Extrude Hone for their
contributions to this feature. Extrude Hone serves
EDM Today Magazine EDM Today Magazine EDM Today Magazine
customers in various market segments, including
Fig. 9: Micro structure (20 mm x 30 mm) [6]
automotive, aerospace, heavy industry, medical, and
general engineering. Their technologies include Abrasive
Flow Machining (AFM), MicroFlow (MF), Electrochemical
Machining (ECM), ECM For Rifl ing (Dynamic and Static)
and Thermal Energy Method (TEM).

https://www.extrudehone.com/

References and Sources:

[1] J.A. McGeough, Principles of Electrochemical Machining, Chapman
EDM Today Magazine EDM Today Magazine EDM Today Magazine
and Hall, Library of Congress Card Number 74-2780
Fig. 10: Fingerprint reproduced in steel 1.3343
[2] M. Zeis, Modellierung des Abtragprozesses der Elektrochemischen
Senkbearbeitung von Triebwerkschaufeln, diss., Apprimus Verlag,
Aachen 2015
[3] Roswar J.V., Warszawa PL
[4] Y. Zao, M. Kunieda, et al, Development of Electrolyte Filtration
System for ECM, Precision Engineering 49, 2017
[5] V. Kirchner, Elektrochemische Mikrostrukturierung mit Ultrakurzen
Spannungspulsen, diss, Freie Universität Berlin, 2001
[6] VMB Babenhausen, Germany
EDM Today Magazine EDM Today Magazine EDM Today Magazine
Fig. 11: In process ECM dressing (ECD, EcoDress) on a
[7] WZL/Fraunhofer IPT, Abtragende und Generierende Bearbeitungsver-
centerless grinding machine [9]
fahren –Chemisches, Elektrochem. Abtragen und Rapid Prototyping,
Laboratorium für Werkzeugmaschinen und Betriebslehre Aachen
CONCLUSION
[8] www.pemtec.de
ECM operates similarly to EDM die sinking, with the main
[9] M. Boccadoro, ETHZ, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Lecture
advantage of being a cold process capable of achieving
[10] A.K.M. De Silva and J.A. McGeough, The Production of FulI
low roughness in a single regime.
Die Shapes by Electrochemical Arc/Electrochemical Machining,
Although ECM’s accuracy is lower than EDM’s, it excels
Edinburgh, ISEM 9, 1989
in production applications where the setup remains
constant, as optimizing the electrode and fl ushing is Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Edinburgh,
[11] H. Tipton, The Dynamics of Electrochemical Machining.
Proceedings of the 5th International MTDR Conference, 1964
complex but results in no tool electrode wear. It’s very
EDM Today Magazine
EDM Today Magazine EDM Today Magazine EDM Today, Winter 2025 Issue
important to manage ECM’s environmental impact.
52