On performance studies during micromachining of quartz glass using electrochemical discharge machining

Abstract

The electrochemical discharge machining is a highly stochastic process involving a number of complex parameters. Controlling of these process parameters simultaneously to fetch the best possible performance is a difficult task. Determining an optimal parametric combination has become complex owing to interdependency of the parameters. In this work, the authors have made an attempt to establish the optimal combination of control parameters for machining of micro-channels on quartz glass. Taguchi’s standard orthogonal array (L ₉) with Grey relational analysis (GRA) approach was used to establish the optimal parametric conditions for reducing the Width overcut (WOC) of micro-channels and increasing the Material removal rate (MRR). In order to optimize MRR and WOC together, the optimal combination of the selected control variables was obtained using the GRA. The experimental results showed the effectiveness of the adapted method to indicate the performance of the electrochemical discharge machining process.