Two-Phase Parameter Design for the Optimisation of the Electrical-Discharge Machining Process Using a Taguchi Dynamic Experiment

Abstract

The paper presents the application of a Taguchi dynamic experiment in developing a robust high-speed and high-quality electrical-discharge machining (EDM) process. In this study, a two-phase parameter design strategy coupled with a double-signal ideal function methodology is proposed. In the first phase, the ideal function of the EDM process is designed as a linear relationship between the main input signal (machining time) and the first output (material removal weight). This model seeks to develop a robust machining process that leads to a high material removal rate. In the second phase, the ideal function is particularly designed as a linear relationship between the adjustment signal (electrode dimension) and the second output (product dimension). The purpose is to adjust machined product dimension of the EDM through optimised process parameters obtained in the first phase, to the desired dimension to provide an allowance for subsequent fine-polishing. Experimental results showed that using a Taguchi dynamic experiment coupled with the proposed two-phase design strategy is simple, effective, and efficient for developing a robust high-speed and high-quality EDM machining process. Optimisation of multiple quality characteristics in the EDM process has been achieved to meet the customer’s requirements.