The influence of electrode surface geometrical structure on electrochemical smoothing process

In this paper the investigations aiming to determine the influence of the electrode geometrical structure on the structure of machined surface have been presented. The electrodes were manufactured in milling operation with ball ended tool or were used formerly in rough electrodischarge machining operations. In order to estimate the possibility of using above mentioned electrodes in smoothing operation the analysis of phenomena occurring in the interelectrode area and experimental tests have been carried out. The results of investigations have shown that in case of properly chosen smoothing process parameters the electrode surface geometrical structure has no influence on geometrical structure of machined surface. The results of investigations have proved that it is possible to use in electrochemical smoothing the electrodes which have been made in milling operation or have been formerly used in rough electrodischarge machining. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.