Machine tool variants or operations
which are less familiar include; ED milling where complex cavities
can be produced by employing simple tube/pencil shaped
electrodes and appropriate cutter paths [1]; ED texturing (EDT)
which is used extensively for the manufacture of autobody sheet/
strip material having a defined surface texture in order to promote
formability and enhance the visual appearance of the painted
product; ED grinding (EDG) employing a rotating circular electrode
which is used primarily for the manufacture of PCD tooling. Here
the name is a misnomer, as the majority of commercial EDG
systems do not involve an abrasive or grinding action [2]. True
hybrid ED systems are not common. Neither is ED surface alloying
[3] for wear or chemical resistance or improved joining, which is
feasible with all the above EDM configurations.