Shifting Secondary Discharge as the Expulsion Mechanism in EDM

Author(s):  
Y. F. Luo ◽  
Jia Tao

A new understanding of the expulsion mechanism in electrical discharge machining (EDM) is discussed in this investigation. The shifting secondary discharge inside a cathodic root is revealed as the major driving force for metal expulsion in EDM. A typical electrode couple of steel for cathode and copper for anode is used in all the experiments and discussions. Micro graphs of discharge craters are taken from the complex surface directly after a continual discharging process while either normal or reversed polarity is applied. The apparent difference in crater morphologies on anode and cathode indicates the unique expulsion mechanism, namely secondary discharges, which only take place inside the cathodic root. The compliance of secondary discharges with long-disputed phenomena, such as the discrepancy between energy distribution and metal removal, is demonstrated through the applications of the mechanism to the phenomena. The applied methods and results are more realistic since single pulse discharge among other process changes is prohibited. Such a more reliable understanding can correlate the complex metal removal mechanisms to better future process developments.

Author(s):  
Y. F. Luo ◽  
Jia Tao

Metal removal mechanism in electrical discharge machining (EDM) is revealed as shifting secondary discharges inside a cathodic root. Typical for EDM sinking process, the electrode couple of steel for cathode and copper for anode is used in this investigation. Micrographs of the discharge craters are taken from the surfaces eroded in the continual discharging processes with normal as well as reversed polarities. The apparent difference in crater morphologies between anode and cathode is investigated. The unique cathodic features indicate the existence of frequent spot expulsions of molten metal from the cathodic root during an entire primary discharge pulse. Shifting secondary discharges are discerned as the driving force to the special cathodic metal expulsions. Electrode energy equilibrium is analyzed to account for all the thermal contributors and the tendency of secondary discharges. The compliance of secondary discharges with long-disputed phenomena, such as the discrepancy between energy partition and metal removal, are demonstrated to be exempt from some of the conventional theories. Without the prior observation facilities, such as single pulse discharge, the method and results are made closer to a real EDM die sinking process. Such an insight into complex micro-erosion mechanisms is attempted to correlate better with the well-known consistent process behaviors.


2014 ◽  
Vol 1017 ◽  
pp. 764-769
Author(s):  
Tian Feng Zhou ◽  
Li Zheng Ma ◽  
Zhi Qiang Liang ◽  
Xi Bin Wang

This paper aims to quantify the effects of the machining condition on the surface topography in electrical discharge machining (EDM), including pulse current, pulse duration and so on. Firstly, the heat source of a single electrical pulse is defined by Gauss distribution, and the thermal effects of machining parameters on the workpiece material erosion are simulated by Finite Element Method (FEM) package ANSYS. Then, the crater size of a single pulse is numerically simulated based on the thermal model of a single pulse discharge. Furthermore, the superposition of multiply craters created by continuous pulse discharges in a random distribution is calculated by MATLAB software program, so that the evolution of the surface topography can be obtained with the combination of FEM simulation and topology calculation. In this way, the surface roughness is quantitatively calculated from the specified EDM parameters.


2012 ◽  
Vol 523-524 ◽  
pp. 951-956
Author(s):  
Yoshiaki Akematsu ◽  
Kazuro Kageyama ◽  
Naotake Mohri ◽  
Hideaki Murayama

This paper describes some experimental results on a fundamental phenomenon of the single pulse discharge. In electrical discharge machining (EDM), processing accuracy was effected by behaviors of fused material. Pressure was important for removing fused material. So, it was needed to clarify that the mechanism of pressure occurrence by electrical discharge. In this study, it was investigated that effect of discharge condition on cavitations behavior by single pulse discharge. Gap region medium viscosity was changed by medium and temperature. Electrical discharge current was changed by applied voltage. The optical fiber vibration sensor is located on an aluminum work-piece (cathode) plate. Pressure was measured by optical fiber sensor during single pulse discharge. As the results, burst acoustic emission (AE) wave was occurred during single pulse discharge. The occurrence of several times burst AE wave was caused by cavitations behavior. The condition on which bubble does not collapse has become apparent. It was found that cavitations behavior was mainly depended on discharge current except for the condition on which bubble does not collapse.


2011 ◽  
Vol 291-294 ◽  
pp. 3069-3072 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lan Chen

This paper presents a new method to fabricate tungsten microelectrode in a single pulse electrical discharge. The electrode material, diameter and polarity affect the shape of probe. The 80μm diameter tungsten wire between 500 and 600μF capacitance can be fabricated in 1μm tungsten electrode probe tip. The experiment use different material such as W, Cu and Mo. Finally, in the condition of “negative pole machining”, only tungsten can be used to make probe. It can greatly shorten the microelectrode fabrication time and effectively improve the reliability of the microelectrode and can fabricate a nanometer level tip in general electrical discharge machining (EDM) machine tool not add any other apparatus. The fabricated microelectrode can be used as a probe for scanner and measurement devices.


2008 ◽  
Vol 375-376 ◽  
pp. 500-504
Author(s):  
Qin He Zhang ◽  
Jian Hua Zhang ◽  
Shu Peng Su ◽  
Qing Gao

Ultrasonic vibration aided electrical discharge machining (UEDM) in gas is a new machining technology developed in recent years. This technology uses air or oxygen as dielectric and ultrasonic vibration is applied to the workpiece during machining. UEDM in gas can avoid environment pollution, the most serious disadvantage of conventional EDM in kerosene-based oil or other dielectric fluids, and it is environmental-friendly. The technology also has virtues of wide applications, high machining efficiency, and simple tool electrodes and so on. In this paper, the formation and transformation of the spark plasma and the mechanism of material removal during a single pulse discharge are introduced.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dragan Rodic ◽  
Marin Gostimirovic ◽  
Milenko Sekulic ◽  
Borislav Savkovic ◽  
Branko Strbac

Abstract It is well known that electrical discharge machining can be used in the processing of nonconductive materials. In order to improve the efficiency of machining modern engineering materials, existing electrical discharge machines are constantly being researched and improved or developed. The current machining of non-conductive materials is limited due to the relatively low material removal rate and high surface roughness. A possible technological improvement of electrical discharge machining can be achieved by innovations of existing processes. In this paper, a new approach for machining zirconium oxide is presented. It combines electrical discharge machining with assisting electrode and powder-mixed dielectric. The assisting electrode is used to enable electrical discharge machining of nonconductive material, while the powder-mixed dielectric is used to increase the material removal rate, reduce surface roughness, and decrease relative tool wear. The response surface method was used to generate classical mathematical models, analyzing the output performances of surface roughness, material removal rate and relative tool wear. Verification of the obtained models was performed based on a set of new experimental data. By combining these latest techniques, positive effects on machining performances are obtained. It was found that the surface roughness was reduced by 18%, the metal removal rate was increased by about 12% and the relative tool wear was reduced by up to 6% compared to electrical discharge machining with supported electrode without powder.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Wenchao Zhang

PurposeThis paper aims to study the breakdown, oscillation and vanishing of the discharge channel and its influence on crater formation with simulation and experimental methods. The experiment results verified the effect of the oscillating characteristics of the discharge channel on the shape of the crater.Design/methodology/approachA mathematical model that considers the magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) and the discharge channel oscillation was established. The micro process of discharging based on magnetic-fluid coupling during electrical discharge machining (EDM) was simulated. The breakdown, oscillation and vanishing stage of the discharge channel were analyzed, and the crater after machining was obtained. Finally, a single-pulse discharge experiment during EDM was conducted to verify the simulation model.FindingsDuring the breakdown of the discharge channel, the electrons move towards the center of the discharge channel. The electrons at the end diverge due to the action of water resistance, making the discharge channel appear wide at both ends and narrow in the middle, showing the pinch effect. Due to the mutual attraction of electrons and positive ions in the channel, the transverse oscillation of the discharge channel is shown on the micro level. Therefore, the position of the discharge point on the workpiece changes. The longitudinal oscillation in the discharge channel causes the molten pool on the workpiece to be ejected due to the changing pressure. The experimental results show that the shape of the crater is similar to that in the simulation, which verifies the correctness of the simulation results and also proves that the crater generated by the single pulse discharge is essentially the result of the interaction between transverse wave and longitudinal wave.Originality/valueIn this paper, the simulation of the discharge breakdown process in EDM was carried out, and a new mathematical model that considers the MHD and the discharge channel oscillation was established. Based on the MHD module, the discharge breakdown, oscillation and vanishing stages were simulated, and the velocity field and pressure field in the discharge area were obtained.


2009 ◽  
Vol 29 (9) ◽  
pp. 2546-2551
Author(s):  
邱明波 Qiu Mingbo ◽  
黄因慧 Huang Yinhui ◽  
刘志东 Liu Zhidong ◽  
田宗军 Tian Zongjun ◽  
汪炜 Wang Wei

Author(s):  
Ashwin Polishetty ◽  
Guy Littlefair

Titanium is known for its poor machinability characteristics due to its low thermal conductivity and high chemical reactivity. This article explores the machinability characteristics of selective laser melting (SLM) titanium alloy Ti-6Al-4V using wire cut electrical discharge machining (WEDM). For titanium alloys, exploring non-traditional machining operation such as WEDM is critical for a material failure or success in a design application. The research is to study the effect of parameters such as servo voltage, pulse on/off, and machining speed with respect to wire tension and wire feed rate on machinability. The outputs under consideration for evaluating machinability are metal removal rate (MRR) and surface finish under minimal interruption due to wire snaps. The article concludes by identifying the optimal factors responsible to produce an efficient and accurate cut with a minimum downtime.


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