Single Discharge Simulations of Needle Pulses for Electrothermal Ablation

M. Hackert-Oschätzchen[1], M. Kreißig[1], M. Kowalick[1], H. Zeidler[1], A. Schubert[1], O. Kröning[2], M. Herzig[2], H.-P. Schulze[3]
[1]Professorship Micromanufacturing Technology, Technische Universität Chemnitz, Chemnitz, Germany
[2]Leukhardt Schaltanlagen Systemtechnik GmbH, Magdeburg, Germany
[3] Otto-von-Guericke-Universität Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany
Published in 2013

Within this study a model of a single discharge of micro scale EDM was developed in accordance with Schulze et al [1]. The specific computation of the growth of the plasma channel has been derived from this literature. Applying COMSOL Multiphysics® a pseudo 3-D geometry was created based on the literature data. Afterwards the thermal heat transfer in solids was defined as well as the parameters and current and voltage curves. Within the plasma channel a high degree of temperature results. These temperatures are partially directed into the work piece surface. To visualize the crater of molten material, all mesh elements with a temperature higher than the melting point of the work piece material were defined as ablation geometry.