Glassy carbon (GC) has superior properties such as high corrosion resistance, heat resistance, and low adhesion to glass materials in a glass molding process (GMP). In addition, the demand for GC molds is increasing in various industries that require high precision of glass parts. However, GC is a difficult-to-machine material with high hardness and brittleness. Electrical discharge machining (EDM) can machine GC regardless of its strength or hardness. In this study, tungsten carbide (WC-Co) electrode was fabricated by wire electrical discharge grinding (WEDG). Characteristics of EDM of micro holes on GC were then analyzed. As capacitance and voltage increased, material removal rate (MRR) increased while machining time tended to decrease. However, at low voltages, short circuit and secondary discharge occurred, which increased the electrode wear rate (EWR). As a result, a D-shaped electrode that could prevent short circuit and debris accumulation was fabricated and a micro hole array was machined.

In this study, a wire electrical discharge milling electrode was developed, and electric discharge machining characteristics were studied by using the electrode. The wire electrical discharge milling electrode is a form, in which the wire is conveyed by using a cylindrical rod with a hemispherical end as a guide, and it also rotates in one direction around the guide axis. If the wire electrical discharge milling electrode is used in electrical discharge machining (EDM), there is no need to consider electrode wear compensation. The EDM characteristics according to capacitance of the RC circuit and the rotational speed of the wire electrical discharge milling electrode were examined. The machining conditions were selected, and a hemispherical shape with good shape accuracy and fine surface finish was fabricated in two stages of roughing and finishing. By applying the wire electrical discharge milling electrode to the electric discharge milling process, straight and curved shapes were successfully machined.