An Investigation into Electrode Wear in Layer-Cut EDM Process

Abstract

This chapter discusses the influence of the peak current, pulse duration, and machining depth of each path on the electrode wear and carbide accumulation in layer-cut electrical discharge machining (EDM) process. During the layer-cut EDM process, the simple electrode runs through the planned path from the top layer to lower layer gradually to obtain any expected cavity, which is similar to the end milling process. It has the merits of end milling such as high flexibility machining by using tool and path but also has the strength of EDM such as easy to machining high hardness material. However, the electrode wear is the key problem that influences the precision for the development of layer-cut EDM process. The result shows that the steady linear electrode wear could be obtained using the pulse duration of 150 μs. The suitable parameters would be the basis of electrode compensation in the layer-cut EDM process.