Description:
Electrical Potentials for Nano Manufacturing and Machining Difficult-To-Cut Materials
Invention Summary
The invention concerns devices and methods for machining materials. Such devices create an electrical potential between an electrode and a work piece. The electrical potential establishes an electrical field within the work piece which is expected to repel electrons and form a region of positively charged ions. As a result, this region is expected to weaken and the material should be removable from this region of the work piece by using less force and energy.
Market Opportunity
Traditional machining of a work piece demands the use of cutting tools that are capable of machining strong and hard materials. In the cases were the work material is extremely hard, strong or brittle, or has a low thermal conductivity, there is a difficulty in finding a tool material that is capable of machining such difficult materials. With this invention, a cutting tool can be softer and weaker than the work materials. Since industries continue to use harder and stronger materials to improve their products’ performance, this invention can become a new approach to machining difficult-to-cut tools as well as nano manufacturing, particularly .
Features and Benefits
Through this invention, a cutting tool will be softer and weaker than work piece materials, as long as there are appropriate amounts of electrical potential being applied in the work piece during the cutting process.
Part of the invention is a method for machining an electrically conducting work piece such as positioning an electrode proximate to the work piece.
There is a voltage source electrically connected between electrode and work piece.
Invention also includes a device for machining non-conducting work pieces.
Intellectual Property
Published International PCT Patent Application: No. WO 2017/201047