ECM Drilling Machine
Drilling holes with electrochemistry instead of a cutting tool.
Goal
Build a working electrochemical machining (ECM) drill for flat metal stock, as a team of three. I lead the mechanical design, prototyping and assembly.
Approach
- The Z axis is a stepper-driven linear slide with 50 mm of travel, mounted above the electrolyte tank on 3D printed brackets.
- The tool is a 1/8” copper rod electrode.
- The electrolyte nozzle is fixed at the workpiece, not on the moving axis, and delivers a long, thin, low-turbulence flow across the flat stock.
Status
In progress. Photos and test results to come.