Optimization of Cutting Parameters for Energy Efficiency in Wire Electrical Discharge Machining of AISI D2 Steel

Abstract

Improving energy efficiency in manufacturing processes is a critical global concern for the industry. Manufacturers strive to enhance energy efficiency across all manufacturing operations to remain competitive globally, aiming to reduce production times without compromising product quality. While there has been significant research characterizing energy efficiency and surface roughness in conventional processes like turning or milling, studies on unconventional manufacturing techniques are limited. This study focuses on optimizing a wire electrical discharge machining (WEDM) process to minimize energy consumption while maintaining surface roughness. Various cutting parameters, such as pulse on-time, pulse off-time, servo voltage, wire tension, wire speed, and wire voltage, were evaluated. Experiments were conducted using Taguchi’s methodology with a L27 orthogonal array, employing AISI D2 steel plates of 19 mm and 25 mm thickness as the machining material. The research identified that optimal parameters for reducing energy consumption and improving surface roughness included a pulse on-time of 10 s, pulse off-time of 11 s, servo voltage of 44 V, wire tension of 50 g-force, wire speed of 7 m per minute, and wire voltage of 9 volts. This combination led to an 8% reduction in energy consumption and a 1% enhancement in surface roughness compared to baseline values.