How to ensure the shape accuracy of the iridium tip electrode during the production process of the spark plug and maintain this accuracy throughout the product life cycle?

16mm automotive spark plugs are key components of the heart of car engines, and their performance directly affects the vehicle's starting efficiency, power output and fuel economy. Among them, iridium tip electrodes, as the pinnacle of spark plug technology, have become the key to improving spark plug performance with their extremely high melting point and superlative thermal stability. However, it is not easy to ensure that the iridium tip electrodes maintain a high-precision shape during the production process and maintain this precision throughout the product life cycle. This requires manufacturers to strive for excellence in multiple aspects such as material selection, processing technology, quality control and subsequent maintenance.

1. Material selection and pretreatment
The manufacture of iridium tip electrodes begins with the careful selection of raw materials. Manufacturers need to purchase high-purity iridium metal from reliable suppliers to ensure that the raw materials themselves do not contain impurities that affect processing accuracy and performance. Subsequently, the raw materials must undergo strict pretreatment steps, such as cleaning and drying, to remove surface grease, oxides and other dirt to prepare for subsequent precision processing. Although this step seems simple, it has an unignorable impact on the shape accuracy of the final product.

2. Precision machining technology
The shape accuracy of iridium tip electrodes mainly depends on the application of precision machining technology. Manufacturers usually use advanced CNC machining equipment, such as high-precision lathes and grinders, to perform fine machining of iridium metal. During the machining process, the cutting speed, feed rate, coolant flow rate and other parameters are precisely controlled to ensure that the electrode tip reaches the size and shape required by the design. In addition, in order to further improve the machining accuracy, manufacturers will also use ultra-precision machining technologies, such as laser machining, electron beam machining, etc., to make fine adjustments to the electrode tip to achieve higher shape accuracy requirements.

3. Strict quality control system
Quality control is an important link to ensure the shape accuracy of iridium tip electrodes. Manufacturers will establish a complete quality control system, and conduct strict inspection and testing at every link from the entry of raw materials to the exit of finished products. During the machining process, the machining equipment will be calibrated and maintained regularly to ensure that the machining accuracy of the equipment is always maintained in the notable state. At the same time, the processed electrodes will be sampled and tested, and the shape, size, surface roughness and other parameters of the electrodes will be measured using high-precision measuring instruments to ensure that each electrode meets the design requirements.

4. Packaging and transportation protection
Even if the iridium tip electrode achieves extremely high shape accuracy during the production process, if it is improperly handled during packaging and transportation, it may also cause loss of accuracy. Therefore, manufacturers will use special packaging materials and methods to properly package the electrodes to prevent them from being affected by external forces such as vibration and impact during transportation and storage. At the same time, clear transportation and storage requirements will be marked on the packaging to ensure that the electrodes can maintain their original shape accuracy when they reach the user.

5. User guidance and maintenance
In order to ensure that the iridium tip electrode maintains the same shape accuracy throughout the product life cycle, the manufacturer will also provide users with detailed use and maintenance guidance. This includes correct installation methods, precautions for use, regular inspections and replacement cycles. Through these measures, users can better understand how to protect the electrode from damage, thereby extending its service life and maintaining shape accuracy. And maintain this accuracy throughout the product life cycle