Description
Abstract: Electric discharge machining (EDM) is a well-known non-traditional machining method. It is widely utilized to produce complex geometry on electrically conductive and difficult-to-cut materials. In this experimental investigation, experiments were performed on near-dry, dry and conventional EDM to compare the performance characteristics amongst these EDM process variants. Dry EDM (DEDM) process utilizes a pressurized gaseous medium as a dielectric. Whereas, near-dry EDM (NdEDM) process utilizes a mixture of liquid and gas as a dielectric medium. While conventional EDM uses hydrocarbon oil as a dielectric medium. Experiments were conducted with variation in four selected EDM process parameters viz. current, pulse on time, pulse off time, and lift setting. The response measured was material removal rate (MRR). The Taguchi’s (L9 orthogonal array) robust design methodology has been used to optimize the MRR. This investigation revealed that NdEDM was better than other EDM process variants. All process parameters were significant for MRR in all EDM process variants. Further, current was the most prominent factor found in this investigation.
Authors: Krishnakant Dhakar and Akshay Dvivedi,
Keywords: Electric discharge machining (EDM), Dry EDM (DEDM), Near-dry EDM (NdEDM) and Material removal rate (MRR)