Old technology brought up to high-tech standard

Advantages

• There is no mechanical strain on the work piece
• Process temperatures range from 20-50°C
• Hardness of the work piece does not matter
• No or hardly any wear and tear to the electrodes in this process
• Several work pieces can be machined at once
• High surface quality level attainable (Ra < 0.2 µm)
• High dimensional accuracy (up to 0.02 mm)

Disadvantages

• Complex electrodes and clamping tools (pressure/rinse chamber) are required for the machining process
• Each type of work piece or material requires new process parameters and clamping tools
• Process know-how is a requirement which needs to be learnt through trial and error or can be provided by application centres
• Waste (sludge) and electrolyte need to be disposed of professionally