Influence of the Anode Material on the Breakdown Behavior in Dry Electrical Discharge Machining

Abstract

In the last years dry electrical discharge machining (DEDM) has been proposed as an alternative to the traditional EDM. The main reason for these efforts is the absence of a liquid dielectric which results in a simpler and environmentally friendly machine. This paper presents measurements of the material removal rate in function of different tool electrode and work piece material put in relation with the breakdown behavior of the process .Whit this data it is shown that the breakdown mechanism in the gas filled work gap is different as in traditional EDM, where the gap is filled with liquid dielectric.