Electrodischarge machining of a coaxial array of microholes using a graphite-copper electrode

This paper describes a manufacturing technique for the microfabrication of graphite-copper electrodes and the production of micro-holed components. The procedure combines electrolysis anodic etching with an electroforming procedure, using supersonic-aided technology. The original 0.35 mm diameter graphite electrodes were reduced to less than 50-μm by electrolysis anodic etching before being machined by the electroforming procedure. During electrolysis, impurities are produced on the graphite electrodes. These impurities are not easily removed. A supersonic mechanism was utilized to agitate the anode in the electrolyte and thus remove any surface impurities from the electrode. The machined graphite-copper electrodes were used to form an array of microscopic holes in plates of various materials. The resulting components may be utilized as a microwater spray nozzle with applications in the field of biotechnology.