Optimization of Dry EDM Milling Process

Abstract

Electrodischarge machining in gaseous media is one of the fastest growing branches among institutions involved in the research and development of EDM as green manufacturing process. The paper presents results of the studies in the area of dry electrodischarge machining. There are presented performance characteristics of the process, using various gases and their mixtures as dielectric medium. The main comparison coefficients are tool wear ratio, material removal rate and machining accuracy/quality. Important aspect of dry EDM milling is also the way that gas is supplied to the interelectrode gap. The paper covers comparison, and influence on machining performance, of gas supply method: through electrode and from outside of the electrode. Influence of gas pressure, flow rate and rotational speed of the electrode are also discussed — resulting in finding optimal conditions for machining, depending on the optimization criteria.