A Soft Computing-Based Analysis of Cutting Rate and Recast Layer Thickness for AZ31 Alloy on WEDM Using RSM-MOPSO

In the present research, the AZ31 alloy is machined by wire-cut electric discharge machining (WEDM). The experiments were designed according to the Box-Behnken design (BBD) of response surface methodology (RSM). The input process variables, namely servo feed (SF), pulse on-time (Ton), servo voltage (SV), and pulse off-time (Toff), were planned by BBD, and experiments were performed to investigate the cutting rate (CR) and recast layer thickness (RCL). The analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed to determine the influence of machining variables on response characteristics. The empirical models developed for CR and RCL were solved using Multi-Objective Particle Swarm Optimization (MOPSO). Pareto optimal front is used for the collective optimization of CR and RCL. The optimal solution suggested by the hybrid approach of RSM-MOPSO is further verified using a confirmation test on the random setting indicated by the hybrid algorithm. It is found that the minimum RCL (6.34 µm) is obtained at SF: 1700; SV: 51 V; Toff: 10.5 µs; and Ton: 0.5 µs. However, maximum CR (3.18 m/min) is predicted at SF: 1900; SV: 40 V; Toff: 7 µs; and Ton: 0.9 µs. The error percentage of ±5.3% between the experimental results and predicted solutions confirms the suitability of the proposed hybrid approach for WEDM of AZ31.

Enhanced Micro-Electric Discharge Machining-Induced Surface Modification on Biomedical Ti-6Al-4V alloy

In the midst of a huge demand for high-precision miniaturized medical implants made up of potential biomaterials, the biomedical Ti-6Al-4V alloy meets the uncompromising standards for longevity, biocompatibility, and sterilizability required to interact with living cells in medical settings. This research tailored the existing capabilities of a traditional micro-electric discharge machining (μ-EDM) setup by adding 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 g/l bioactive zinc powder-particle-concentrations (PPCs) to the dielectric. A copper and brass micro-tool electrode (C-μ-TE and B-μ-TE) were employed in association with each PPC, and experiments were executed using one-variable-at-a-time (OVAT) approach. Machining time and dimensional deviation were chosen as the response variables of Zn powder mixed-micro-EDM (Zn-PM-μ-EDM). According to the analytical findings, the combination of C-μ-TE and 6 g/l Zn PPC achieved 23.52 %, 3.29 %, and 17.96 % lesser machining time, dimensional deviation, and recast layer thickness, respectively, compared to the B-μ-TE. The detailed study of this surface endorsed a significant modification in terms of improved recast layer thickness (26.44 μm), topography (Ra = 743.65 nm), and wettability (contact angle < 90°), suggesting its dental application. Additionally, the observation of ZnO and TiO in X-ray diffraction and appealing in vitro cytocompatibility encourage the subsequent biological and therapeutic studies to validate the anticipated anti-viral activity of the modified Ti-6Al-4V alloy surface against coronavirus (COVID-19).

Tolerance-based Optimization of Sinking Edm for Industrial Seal Slot Manufacture

Seal plates for turbine vanes significantly reduce gap losses and thus play a major role in increasing the efficiency of turbines. The industrial production of seal slots, which position the seal plates in the turbine vanes, is driven by the need for high productivity in combination with a reliable processing of necessary geometrical and surface integrity features. A machining technology that is able to machine hard-to-cut materials such as nickel-based alloys is electrical discharge machining. Due to its electro-thermal working principle it is able to machine materials independently from their mechanical properties even at high aspect ratios. Achievable removal and wear rates as well as the resulting surface properties strongly depend on the discharge energy. Furthermore, the discharge energy affects the working gap sizes and therefore flushing efficiencies when machining high aspect ratio cavities. This relationship is investigated taking into account various contemporary generator technologies and graphite grades from both published literature and own experimental investigations. Their effect on machining performance focusing on productivity, recast layer thickness and crack formation is quantified. Based on this data a novel empirical model for tolerance-based optimization is developed. The model is used to perform an optimization on an existing serial production and implementation has been proven successful.

Tolerance-Based Optimization of Sinking EDM for Industrial Seal Slot Manufacture

Seal plates for turbine vanes significantly reduce gap losses and thus play a major role in increasing the efficiency of turbines. The industrial production of seal slots, which position the seal plates in the turbine vanes, is driven by the need for high productivity in combination with a reliable processing of necessary geometrical and surface integrity features. A machining technology that is able to machine hard-to-cut materials such as nickel-based alloys is electrical discharge machining. Due to its electro-thermal working principle it is able to machine materials independently from their mechanical properties even at high aspect ratios. Achievable removal and wear rates as well as the resulting surface properties strongly depend on the discharge energy. Furthermore, the discharge energy affects the working gap sizes and therefore flushing efficiencies when machining high aspect ratio cavities. This relationship is investigated taking into account various contemporary generator technologies and graphite grades from both published literature and own experimental investigations. Their effect on machining performance focusing on productivity, recast layer thickness and crack formation is quantified. Based on this data a novel empirical model for tolerance-based optimization is developed. The model is used to perform an optimization on an existing serial production and implementation has been proven successful.

A Detailed Machinability Assessment of DC53 Steel for Die and Mold Industry through Wire Electric Discharge Machining

Recently, DC53 die steel was introduced to the die and mold industry because of its excellent characteristics i.e., very good machinability and better engineering properties. DC53 demonstrates a strong capability to retain a near-net shape profile of the die, which is a very challenging process with materials. To produce complex and accurate die features, the use of the wire electric discharge machining (WEDM) process takes the lead in the manufacturing industry. However, the challenge is to understand the physical science of the process to improve surface features and service properties. In this study, a detailed yet systematic evaluation of process parameters investigation is made on the influence of a wire feed, pulse on duration, open voltage, and servo voltage on the productivity (material removal rate) and material quality (surface roughness, recast layer thickness, kerf width) against the requirements of mechanical-tooling industry. Based on parametric exploration, wire feed was found the most influential parameter on kerf width: KW (45.64%), pulse on time on surface roughness: SR (84.83%), open voltage on material removal rate: MRR (49.07%) and recast layer thickness: RLT (52.06%). Also, the optimized process parameters resulted in 1.710 µm SR, 10.367 mm3/min MRR, 0.327 mm KW, and 10.443 µm RLT. Moreover, the evolution of surface features and process complexities are thoroughly discussed based on the involved physical science. The recast layer, often considered as a process limitation, was explored with the aim of minimizing the layers’ depth, as well as the recast layer and heat-affected zone. The research provides regression models based on thorough investigation to support machinists for achieving required features.

Influence of Energy Parameters on Plasma Radius, Energy Fraction and Plasma Flushing Efficiency for a Single Discharge in EDM

An electrical discharge forms a crater on the workpiece surface. The crater morphology estimates the performance parameters of the electrical discharge machining process. The energy parameters (gap voltage, discharge current and the pulse on time), the plasma channel radius and the energy fraction coming to the workpiece determine the molten cavity radius and depth. The plasma flushes away a portion of material from the molten cavity forming a crater and resolidification of the remaining molten material forms a recast layer. The plasma flushing efficiency determines the crater’s radius and depth. Few researchers have successfully expressed the plasma radius, energy fraction and plasma flushing efficiency in relation to two of the energy parameters, namely, discharge current and pulse on time but not as a gap voltage function. This work attempted to develop a thermo-physical model to express plasma radius, energy fraction and plasma flushing efficiency as a function of all three energy parameters, such as gap voltage, discharge current and pulse on time. Plasma flushing efficiency was calculated and plasma radius and energy fraction were estimated by inverse finite element method from the measured values of crater radius, crater depth and recast layer thickness. The expressions for plasma radius, energy fraction and plasma flushing efficiency were found out from the regression equations obtained from the designed data set using the Taguchi method. Validation shows that the modeled and experimental values of crater radius, crater depth, and recast layer thickness agree well.

Study on Recast Layer Thickness of Microstructures Machined in micro-EDM with Different Electrodes

Functional-surface microstructures are widely used in industrial practice. During the fabrication of microstructures in micro-electrical discharge machining (micro-EDM), the thermal and physical characteristics of both workpieces and electrode materials at room temperature and high temperatures have an important influence on surface quality and distribution of recast layer. In order to study the influence of different electrode material characteristics on the surface integrity of microstructures machined using micro-EDM, red copper, brass, copper-tungsten and tungsten electrode were used to perform micro-EDM on both Ti-6Al-4V alloy and 304 stainless steel. In the experiment, electrode with groove arrays featuring high copying accuracy and surface quality was designed to carry out powder mixed electrical discharge machining (PMEDM) on Ti-6Al-4V alloy, and the machining results were evaluated based on four indicators: microstructure morphology, tool electrode wear (TEW), material removal rate (MRR), and recast layer thickness (RLT). Simultaneously, the surface morphology and recast layer thickness changes of 304 stainless steel workpieces machined using the above four types of electrodes, using both normal polarity and negative polarity micro-EDM were quantitatively analyzed. The results showed that copper-tungsten electrode is recommended to machine Ti-6Al-4V alloy because it has a smaller TEW (139 µm), the highest MRR (255.39 mm3/min), and a thinner recast layer thickness (3.35 µm). This was followed by copper electrode, which featured good machining performance and machinability. When machining 304 stainless steel with negative polarity, the TEW of copper electrode and tungsten electrode was the smallest, and the thickness of recast layer was able to be effectively reduced to about 3 µm.