Process Parameter Optimization of Wire EDM on Aluminum and Mild Steel by Using Taguchi Method

Abstract

Surface roughness and Kerf width in Wire EDM are of crucial importance. In this paper an effect of process parameter on surface roughness and kerf width of aluminum and mild steel are investigated and single objective taguchi method is used for process parameter optimization. For experimentation, spark on time, spark off time, input current and wire feed rate are used as input parameters. On the other hand wire tension, cutting length, dielectric fluid pressure, spark gap and sensitivity are taken as fixed parameter. For each experiment, surface roughness and kerf width are measured by using surface profilometer and optical microscope respectively. ANOVA shows that the spark on time and the input current have statistically significant effect in case of aluminum and mild steel respectively.