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ECM Developments provides a specialist electrochemical machining capability to aerospace, automotive, defence, nuclear, oil and gas, medical and other industries.
Electrochemical Machining is a rapid, highly cost-effective machining process that eliminates heat and mechanical stress during machining. The ECM tool (cathode) is positioned close to the work piece (anode) and a low-voltage, high-amperage direct current is passed between them via an electrolyte flowing through the anode-cathode gap.

Material is removed by anodic dissolution and is carried away by the electrolyte. Two dimensional tolerances can be held to ±0.025 mm and three dimensional tolerances can be held to ±0.050 mm. Surface finishes of 0.2 to 0.4 microns can be produced in a single pass.

Electrochemical machining can be used as a metal removal or de-burring process on virtually any metal, no matter how hard or difficult to conventionally machine it is. Metal removal rates during ECM are consistent, irrespective of metal type, condition or hardness.
   
ECM produces a burr free edge and a high surface finish requiring no further processing
The process is simple to operate with good levels of productivity and fast turn round.
Tooling and running costs are low. No tool wear occurs during ECM.
Work-pieces may be processed by ECM either before or after heat treatment.
 
Typical ECM applications:
 
Forming internal chambers and transfer ports.
Polygon shaped holes.
Low approach angle holes.
De burring of inaccessible features and intersecting holes.
Forming shallow channels for lubrication or micro fluidic devices
Forming complex external three dimensional shapes such as aerofoil and turbine blades.