20-09-2008, 10:36 PM
In electron-beam machining (EBM), electrons are accelerated ..
In electron-beam machining (EBM), electrons are accelerated to a velocity nearly three-fourths that of light.
The process is performed in a vacuum chamber to reduce the scattering of electrons by gas molecules in the atmosphere.
The stream of electrons is directed against a precisely limited area of the workpiece;
on impact, the kinetic energy of the electrons is converted into thermal energy that melts and vaporizes the material to be removed, forming holes or cuts.
EBM equipment is commonly used by the electronics industry to aid in the etching of circuits in microprocessors.
