Electrical discharge machining (EDM) is a modern technology that is widely used in the production of difficult to cut conductive materials. The basic problem of EDM is the stochastic nature of electrical discharges. The optimal selection of machining parameters to achieve micron surface roughness and the recast layer with the maximal possible value of the material removal rate (MRR) is quite challenging. In this paper, we performed an analytical and experimental investigation of the influence of the EDM parameters: Surface integrity and MRR. Response surface methodology (RSM) was used to build empirical models on the influence of the discharge current I, pulse time ton, and the time interval toff, on the surface roughness (Sa), the thickness of the white layer (WL), and the MRR, during the machining of tool steel 55NiCrMoV7. The surface and subsurface integrity were evaluated using an optical microscope and a scanning profilometer. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to establish the statistical significance parameters. The calculated contribution indicated that the discharge current had the most influence (over the 50%) on the Sa, WL, and MRR, followed by the discharge time. The multi-response optimization was carried out using the desirability function for the three cases of EDM: Finishing, semi-finishing, and roughing. The confirmation test showed that maximal errors between the predicted and the obtained values did not exceed 6%.
New materials require the use of advanced technology in manufacturing complex shape parts. One of the modern materials widely used in the tool industry for injection molds or hot stamping dies is high conductivity tool steel (HTCS) 150. Due to its hardness (55 HRC) and thermal conductivity at 66 W/mK, this material is difficult to machine by conventional treatment and is being increasingly manufactured by nonconventional technology such as electrical discharge machining (EDM). In the EDM process, material is removed from the workpiece by a series of electrical discharges that cause changes to the surface layers properties. The final state of the surface layer directly influences the durability of the produced elements. This paper presents the influence of EDM process parameters: discharge current I c and the pulse time t on on surface layer properties. The experimental investigation was carried out with an experimental methodology design. Surface layers properties including roughness 3D parameters, the thickness of the white layer, heat affected zone, tempered layer and occurring micro cracks were investigated and described. The influence of the response surface methodology (RSM) of discharge current I c and the pulse time t on on the thickness of the white layer and roughness parameters Sa, Sds and Ssc were described and established.
Electrical discharge machining (EDM) is a nonconventional technology that is frequently used in manufacturing for difficult-to-cut conductive materials. Drawbacks to using EDM include the resulting surface roughness and integrity. One of the recent innovations for improving surface integrity with EDM is the use of a powder mixed dielectric. The aim of this study is to analyze the influence of having reduced graphene oxide (RGO) in the dielectric on the ionization of the plasma channel and the dispersion of electrical discharges. The main goal is to improve the surface integrity of the tool steel 55NiCrMoV7 during finishing machining. To achieve this goal, an experimental investigation was carried out to establish the smallest possible values of discharge current and pulse time at which it is possible to initiate an electric discharge, which causes material removal. Next, the effect of the direction of the electric discharges (electrode polarity) and the concentration (percentage) of RGO in the dielectric on surface integrity was investigated. The results of this experiment indicate that during EDM with RGO, the discharges are dispersed on the RGO flakes. This leads to a multiplication of the discharges during a single pulse, and this strongly affects the surface integrity. The obtained results indicate that it is possible to reduce surface roughness and thickness of the recast layer by approximately 2.5 times compared with conventional EDM.
Electrical discharge machining (EDM) is an advanced technology used to manufacture difficult-to-cut conductive materials. However, the surface layer properties after EDM require additional finishing operations in many cases. Therefore, new methods implemented in EDM are being developed to improve surface characteristics and the material removal rate. This paper presents new research about improving the surface integrity of 55NiCrMoV7 tool steel by using reduced graphene oxide (RGO) flakes in the dielectric. The main goal of the research was to investigate the influence of RGO flakes in the dielectric on electrical discharge propagation and heat dissipation in the gap. The investigation of the influence of discharge current I and pulse time ton during EDM with RGO flakes in the dielectric was carried out using response surface methodology. Furthermore, the surface texture properties and metallographic structure after EDM with RGO in the dielectric and conventional EDM were investigated and described. The obtained results indicate that using RGO flakes in the dielectric leads to a decreased surface roughness and recast layer thickness with an increased material removal rate (MRR). The presence of RGO flakes in the dielectric reduced the breakdown voltage and allowed several discharges to occur during one pulse. The dispersion of the discharge caused a decrease in the energy delivered to the workpiece. In terms of the finishing EDM parameters, there was a 460% reduction in roughness Ra with a uniform distribution of the recast layer on the surface, and a slight increase in MRR (12%) was obtained.
Wire electrical discharge machining (EDM) is a modern technology that is widely used in the production of difficult to cut conductive materials. Stochastic nature of electrical discharges causing to difficult to identify the influence WEDM parameters on surface roughness and dimensional accuracy of machining parts. Predicting favorable machining conditions for the required surface finish and dimensional accuracy plays a key role in the process. Response surface methodology (RSM) was used to build empirical models on the influence of the discharge voltage VB, pulse interval SB, and workpiece height on the surface roughness (Ra) and the flatness deviation during the machining of tool steel X153CrMoV12. The conducted analysis of the material removal physics in relation to investigated parameters indicated potential sources of shape errors of cutting parts.
Modern industry is focused on looking for new and effective technologies to manufacture complex shapes from alloys based on nickel and chromium. One of the materials widely used in the chemical and aerospace industry is Hastelloy C-22. This material is difficult to machine by conventional methods, and in many cases, unconventional methods are used to manufacture it, such as electrical discharge machining (EDM). In the EDM process, the material is removed by electrical discharges between a workpiece and a tool electrode. The physical and mechanical properties of the tool electrodes have a direct impact on the process efficiency, machining accuracy, and surface roughness. Currently, there has been a significant increase in the use of graphite as a material for tool electrodes due to the low purchase cost of the raw material, good machinability, and high sublimation temperature. In this work, an experimental investigation of the influence of the grain size of the graphite tool electrode on material removal rate (MRR), tool wear rate (TWR), and surface roughness (Ra) of Hastelloy C-22 was carried out. Two POCO graphite tool electrodes with a grain size of 1 µm (AF-5) and 10 µm (S-180) were used. Based on the experimental studies, empirical models describing the influence of machining parameters on technological indicators and the condition of the surface texture were determined. The research indicates that graphite with a larger grain provides higher process efficiency with high relative wear of the tool electrode. The lowest surface roughness was obtained for graphite with a smaller grain size (AF-5). The analysis of the machining parameters proves that the discharge current and pulse duration are the main factors determining the MRR and Ra values for both AF-5 and S-180 graphite. The time interval is the dominant parameter with regard to the relative wear of the graphite electrode.
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