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Investigation on power discharge in micro-EDM stainless steel drilling using different electrodes

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Abstract

The present work deals with the execution of through micro-holes on stainless steel plates using a micro-EDM (Electrical discharge machining) machine. The investigation focuses on the influence of different electrodes’ materials and power discharge on both the process performance and the dimensional characteristics of the holes. The experimental campaign was carried out by varying peak current and voltage in order to achieve both high and low power discharge conditions. Tubular electrodes made of three different materials (tungsten carbide, brass and copper) were used. The indexes taken into account were Material removal rate (MRR), Tool wear ratio (TWR), Diametral overcut (DOC) and Taper rate (TR). Brass and copper electrodes always resulted to be the best solution in terms of drilling speed even though the wear of these electrode types is remarkable higher than the tungsten one. On the opposite, tungsten carbide electrodes resulted to be the best solution when high dimensional and geometrical precision is required. Concerning the finishing of the hole inner surface, the best results were achieved using tungsten carbide electrode.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. DIGIP, University of Bergamo, Viale Marconi 5, 24044, Dalmine (BG), Italy

    G. D’Urso, G. Maccarini, M. Quarto & C. Ravasio

Authors
  1. G. D’Urso
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  2. G. Maccarini
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  3. M. Quarto
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  4. C. Ravasio
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Correspondence to G. D’Urso.

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Recommended by Editor Haedo Jeong

Gianluca D’Urso is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Engineering at University of Bergamo and Deputy Director of GITT - Centre on Innovation Management and Technology Transfer. He received his degree in Management Engineering at the University of Bergamo (Italy) and Ph.D. in Manufacturing Engineering at the University of Padova (Italy). He is a member of AITEM, the Italian Association of Manufacturing Engineers. His main research activities include analysis of joining technologies based on FSW (Friction Stir Welding) by means of experimental and simulative (FEM) methods, experimental and FEM analysis of forming and machining processes, micro-fabrication technologies using micro-EDM (Electro Discharge Machining) and EBL (Electron Beam Lithography).

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D’Urso, G., Maccarini, G., Quarto, M. et al. Investigation on power discharge in micro-EDM stainless steel drilling using different electrodes. J Mech Sci Technol 29, 4341–4349 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12206-015-0932-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12206-015-0932-1

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