Finite element simulation and experimental research on electric hot machining

Electric hot machining (EHM) can improve cutting performance through heating resistance, which softens the material in the deformation zone. In this study, an empirical formula for heating resistance is presented, and its variance with the orthogonal regression experiments is analyzed. The results show that heating resistance increases with cutting speed and heat current but decreases as feed rate and cutting depth increase. Feed rate has the greatest influence on heating resistance. Furthermore, an empirical formula with finite element simulation (FES) is constructed to describe the temperature increase triggered by Joule heating of the heating resistance. Both three-dimensional (3D) FES and experimental verification of the cutting force and the temperature field during the EHM process are conducted, combined with a 3D cutting model and an Umbrello constitutive relation. The results show that a lower cutting force can be achieved when the heating current is greater than or equal to 160 A. The chip in the deformation zone has the highest temperature, and the optimal heating current for optimal cutting temperature is 168 to 190 A.