A study on pulse control for small-hole electrical discharge machining

Small-hole EDM has a problem of debris evacuation from the narrow gap between the electrode and workpiece. The presence and difficulty in evacuating the debris formed during an erosion process limit the achievable aspect ratio. To address the problem of debris accumulation, a pulse generator, which is able to shut off harmful pulses and to apply high discharge energy pulses, is developed. A FPGA chip is used as the master controller for the determination of pulse discharge status and MOSFET switching. A series of experiments are carried out to examine the machining performance by shutting off harmful pulses and applying high discharge energy pulses. The experimental results show that the efficiency of small-hole drilling is improved and the aspect ratio is increased.     

Pulse train analysis in ultrasonic assisted EDM

Improved discharge characteristics with ultrasonic vibration of either electrode in EDM, are analysed for their time average effects. Records of the pulse trains obtained randomly on a transient recorder were analysed for ignition delay, microshorts, open circuit and arcing pulses and average pulse energy. Ultrasonic irradiation of the spark gap showed no significant effect on ignition delay or average pulse energy per active pulse but the inactive pulses are significantly reduced with reduced incidence of arcing. The latter would facilitate increased duty factor though in practice the machining rate showed improvement even at the same frequency and duty factor due to the improved sparking efficiency.     

Sub-nanosecond monitoring of micro-hole electrical discharge machining pulses and modeling of discharge ringing

Monitoring the gap voltage and current in micro-hole electrical discharge machining (EDM) using high-speed data acquisition with 0.5 ns sampling period is conducted. The spark and arc pulses at three stages, namely electrode dressing, drilling, and penetration, of the micro-hole EDM are recorded. The EDM process parameters are setup to use negative polarity to blunt the electrode tip and positive polarity for micro-hole drilling and penetration. A new phenomenon of pre-discharging current is discovered. In the first 20–30 ns of spark and arc pulses, the current starts to rise while the voltage remains the same. Effects of EDM process parameters, including the open voltage, electrode diameter, and polarity, on the rate of spark and arc pulses and electrode feed rate are investigated. A model based on the RLC circuit is developed to study the ringing effect at the end of a discharge. The intrinsic parasitic capacitance and resistance of a RLC circuit are calculated from the decaying voltage signal and compared under two sets of experiments with varying wire electrode diameter and gap voltage to validate the ringing model. The calculation and experimental results validate the proposed RLC model for ringing phenomenon. The model shows the electrode diameter has negligible effect on ringing and high open voltage increases the parasitic resistance and damping in ringing. The monitoring technique and ringing model developed in this research can assist in the selection and optimization of micro-hole EDM process parameters.     

A review on current research trends in electrical discharge machining (EDM)

Electrical discharge machining (EDM) is one of the earliest non-traditional machining processes. EDM process is based on thermoelectric energy between the work piece and an electrode. A pulse discharge occurs in a small gap between the work piece and the electrode and removes the unwanted material from the parent metal through melting and vaporising. The electrode and the work piece must have electrical conductivity in order to generate the spark. There are various types of products which can be produced using EDM such as dies and moulds. Parts of aerospace, automotive industry and surgical components can be finished by EDM. This paper reviews the research trends in EDM on ultrasonic vibration, dry EDM machining, EDM with powder additives, EDM in water and modeling technique in predicting EDM performances.     

High rising speed discharge current pulse for EDM generated by inductive boosting voltage circuit

This paper introduces a newly developed EDM pulse generator whose high open voltage for discharge is generated by induced electromotive force using a power supply of only 5 V. The pulse generator can generate short duration and high discharge current pulses. The rising time of discharge current pulses to 5 A can be made shorter than 50 ns with a pulse duration of 200 ns or shorter. The results proved that such discharge current pulse shapes increase material removal volume per discharge and that the higher boosting open voltage facilitates the machining of high resistivity materials.     

Study on gap variation in multi-stage planetary EDM

Tooling costs, machining time and surface finish in an EDM operation can be improved by using multi-stage planetary EDM strategies. However, the technological tables provided by machine manufacturers do not always adequately fit to the specific user application, especially in the case of gap values. In this work, a methodology for the calculation of gap variation between two consecutive stages that can be applied both in roughing and in finishing regimes is described. The methodology defined requires the realization of a number of EDM tests, in which the surface finish of each intermediate stage must be assured. It is shown in the paper that this is optimally done by using the strategy based on the complete removal of R_t. Results also show that gap variation is dependent upon the radius of the first orbit until a limit value is reached. It is observed from the experiments that larger gap variations are related to the use of smaller electrodes and copper electrodes. Finally, it is shown that the steepest decreases in gap variation occur at the regimes at which both discharge current and pulse time decrease.     

Study on Nano EDM Using Capacity Coupled Pulse Generator

This paper describes the development of a pulse generator for nano EDM using a capacity coupling method. To obtain discharge craters of nanometer diameter, a pulse generator was coupled to the tool electrode by a capacitor. Since the influence of the stray capacitance in the electric feeders can be eliminated, the discharge energy can be minimized to accomplish nano EDM. This method also allows non-contact feeding of electric current to the rotating spindle, minimizing the run-out of the tool electrode. To control the gap width, the gap voltage was also measured using the capacity coupling method.     

电火花加工模糊驱动系统的研究

通过对电火花加工过程中间隙电压和放电状态的分析，提出了采用间隙电压作为微观驱动控制，同时利用表征放电状态的参数，即火花放电率、电弧及短路率等进行宏观调节的一种综合控制策略。其中微观模糊控制器调节进给频率，宏观模糊控制器调节进给步距。     

An investigation of the power output and gap voltage during electrical discharge machining using microcomputer-based instrumentation

An analogue wattmeter has been developed for direct measurement of electrical power dissipation at the discharge gap during electrical discharge machining (EDM). A microcomputer samples power and corresponding gap voltage at regular intervals. Digitally encoded waveforms, which represent blocks of continuous power and voltage pulse trains, are stored on floppy disks for subsequent display and analysis. The advantage of using this microcomputer-based integrated measurement system is the ability to capture both typical and random events or phenomena in EDM and also to extract and process information from the digitized waveforms which represent characteristics of these events.In this investigation, samples of power and voltage pulse characteristics during four EDM tests have been recorded, analysed for unit and time-averaged variations and meticulously studied with the aid of the microcomputer-based system. Power and voltage waveforms have been reconstructed from the digital data and are suitably displayed. Random and systematic or cyclic variations as shown by the analysed data, together with the corresponding reconstructed waveforms, are presented. Reasons for the variations are discussed in the light of similar observations verified by other researchers.This paper reports part of a continuing programme involving the use of microcomputer-based measurement systems for both on-line monitoring and off-line analysis of the EDM process.     

Experimental characterization of material removal in dry electrical discharge drilling

Dry electrical discharge machining is one of the novel EDM variants, which uses gas as dielectric fluid. Experimental characterization of material removal in dry electrical discharge drilling technique is presented in this paper. It is based on six-factor, three-level experiment using L₂₇ orthogonal array. All the experiments were performed in a ‘quasi-explosion’ mode by controlling pulse ‘off-time’ so as to maximize the material removal rate (MRR). Furthermore, an enclosure was provided around the electrodes with the aim to create a back pressure thereby restricting expansion of the plasma in the dry EDM process. The main response variables analyzed in this work were MRR, tool wear rate (TWR), oversize and compositional variation across the machined cross-sections. Statistical analysis of the results show that discharge current (I), gap voltage (V) and rotational speed (N) significantly influence MRR. TWR was found close to zero in most of the experiments. A predominant deposition of melted and eroded work material on the electrode surface instead of tool wear was evident. Compositional variation in the machined surface has been analyzed using EDAX; it showed migration of tool and shielding material into the work material. The study also analyzed erosion characteristics of a single-discharge in the dry EDM process vis-á-vis the conventional liquid dielectric EDM. It was observed that at low discharge energies, single-discharge in dry EDM could give larger MRR and crater radius as compared to that of the conventional liquid dielectric EDM.     

Machining characteristics of magnetic force-assisted EDM

The gap conditions of electrical discharge machining (EDM) would significantly affect the stability of machining progress. Thus, the machining performance would be improved by expelling debris from the machining gap fast and easily. In this investigation, magnetic force was added to a conventional EDM machine to form a novel process of magnetic force-assisted EDM. The beneficial effects of this process were evaluated. The main machining parameters such as peak current and pulse duration were chosen to determine the effects on the machining characteristics in terms of material removal rate (MRR), electrode wear rate (EWR), and surface roughness. The surface integrity was also explored by a scanning electron microscope (SEM) to evaluate the effects of the magnetic force-assisted EDM. As the experimental results suggested that the magnetic force-assisted EDM facilitated the process stability. Moreover, a pertinent EDM process with high efficiency and high quality of machined surface could be accomplished to satisfy modern industrial applications.     

低电压下微能RC脉冲电源放电波形研究

RC脉冲电源是微细电火花加工中常用的电源,低开路电压下的微能RC脉冲电源可实现更加微细和精密的电火花加工.针对低开路电压下的微能RC脉冲电源放电波形进行观测,对不同充电电容和开路电压下的充电电容两端电压、放电间隙两端电压及放电回路的电流波形进行了对比和分析.研究发现:由于回路中寄生参数的影响,充电电容两端电压与放电间隙...     

电火花加工间隙流场的三维仿真研究

间隙流场中加工屑的分布是影响火花放电频率和放电点分布的重要因素,并直接关系到加工速度与加工精度,对间隙流场中加工屑分布情况进行研究是提高加工速度、加工精度的重要途径之一.该研究在对间隙流场中工作液和加工屑的运动进行理论分析的基础上,建立间隙流场的三维仿真模型,进行电极上下往复运动过程中间隙流场和加工屑运动的仿真计算,验证实验的结果证明了仿真方法的正确性.     

Influence of the pulse shape on the EDM performance of Si3N4-TiN ceramic composite

This paper describes the influence of the EDM discharge pulse shape on the machining performances and material removal mechanisms of Si₃N₄-TiN. Dramatic differences of material removal, ranging from classical melting to chemical decomposition, are observed by applying different pulse shapes such as the iso-energetic or relaxation type discharge pulses. It not just leads to the change of surface texture and machining performances, but also has influences on the ceramic properties. An EDM strategy is developed for the production of ceramic components in Si₃N₄-TiN and validated through the fabrication of a high temperature mesoscopic gas turbine.     

Influences of pulsed power condition on the machining properties in micro EDM

Micro EDM is one of the most powerful technologies which are capable of fabricating micro-structure. However, there are many operating parameters that affect the micro EDM process. Since the EDM is basically a thermal process, the supplying electrical condition can be an important factor. The conditions generally consist of several parameters such as electrical current, voltage, pulse duration, spark gap, and others. Those are decisive in removal rate, wear rate, and machining accuracy, which are characteristics of EDM. In this study, the influences of EDM pulse condition on the micro EDM properties were investigated. Voltage, current, and on/off time of the pulse were selected as experimental parameters based on a simple equation for the material removal rate. The pulse condition is particularly focused on the pulse duration and the ratio of off-time to on-time, and the machining properties are reported on tool wear, material removal rate, and machining accuracy. The experimental results show that the voltage and current of the pulse exert strongly to the machining properties and the shorter EDM pulse is more efficient to make a precision part with a higher material removal rate.     

Near dry electrical discharge machining

This study investigates the near dry electrical discharge machining (EDM) process. Near dry EDM uses liquid–gas mixture as the two phase dielectric fluid and has the benefit to tailor the concentration of liquid and properties of dielectric medium to meet desired performance targets. A dispenser for minimum quantity lubrication (MQL) is utilized to supply a minute amount of liquid droplets at a controlled rate to the gap between the workpiece and electrode. Wire EDM cutting and EDM drilling are investigated under the wet, dry, and near dry conditions. The mixture of water and air is the dielectric fluid used for near dry EDM in this study. Near dry EDM shows advantages over the dry EDM in higher material removal rate (MRR), sharper cutting edge, and less debris deposition. Compared to wet EDM, near dry EDM has higher material removal rate at low discharge energy and generates a smaller gap distance. However, near dry EDM places a higher thermal load on the electrode, which leads to wire breakage in wire EDM and increases electrode wear in EDM drilling. A mathematical model, assuming that the gap distance consists of the discharge distance and material removal depth, was developed to quantitatively correlate the water–air mixture's dielectric strength and viscosity to the gap distance.     

High-speed dry electrical discharge machining

A novel high-speed dry electrical discharge machining (EDM) method was proposed in this study. Using this method, the material can be rapidly melted by extremely high discharge energy and flushed out of the discharge gap by high-pressure and high-speed air flow. The material removal rate (MRR) of dry EDM was significantly improved by the proposed method. The MRR of dry EDM is usually in tens mm³/min, whereas the MRR of the proposed method can be as high as 5162 mm³/min, which improves the MRR by 2nd to 3rd order of magnitude. Investigation was conducted systemically. The influences of work piece polarity, discharge current, pulse duration time, gas pressure, and electrode rotation speed on machining performance were studied. The machining mechanism of this method was thoroughly analyzed. Moreover, the re-solidified layer, surface morphology, elementary composition, and phase of AISI 304 stainless steel for high-speed dry EDM were also investigated. Theoretical and technical foundations were laid for the industry application of dry EDM.     

Achieving high accuracy and high removal rate in micro-EDM by electrostatic induction feeding method

With conventional relaxation pulse generators used in micro-electrical discharge machining, due to the difficulty in keeping the minimum necessary discharge interval between pulse discharges, localized discharge and abnormal arc occur frequently. In contrast, with the newly developed electrostatic induction feeding method, only a single discharge occurs for each cycle of the periodic pulse voltage. As this realizes sufficient cooling of the discharge gap between pulses, thermal stress on the machined surface is less and duty factors can be increased, resulting in higher accuracy and machining speed compared to the relaxation pulse generator.     

Improvement of Dry EDM Characteristics Using Piezoelectric Actuator

This paper describes improvement of the machining characteristics of dry electrical discharge machining (dry EDM) by controlling the discharge gap distance using a piezoelectric actuator. Dry EDM is a new process characterized by small tool electrode wear, negligible damage generated on the machined surface, and significantly high material removal rate especially when oxygen gas is used. However, the narrow discharge gap length compared with conventional EDM using oil as the dielectric working fluid results in frequent occurrence of short circuiting which lowers material removal rate. A piezoelectric actuator with high frequency response was thus introduced to help control gap length of the EDM machine. To elucidate the effects of the piezoelectric actuator, an EDM performance simulator was newly developed to evaluate the machining stability and material removal rate of dry EDM.     

基于FPGA的电火花加工脉冲电源设计

为更好地满足电火花的加工要求,提出一种基于FPGA的电火花加工脉冲电源的实现。研究电火花加工脉冲电源的工作原理,脉冲电源的核心部件高频脉冲发生器采用IP软核实现,其输出信号的脉宽和脉间精细可调,能与上位机有效通信。该方法的有效性通过仿真和电路测试得到验证。