Optimisation of electrochemical micromachining and electrochemical discharge machining process parameters using firefly algorithm

Abstract

The process parameter in the non-traditional machining process is an important aspect of enhancing the performance parameter. Precision machining and machining of complex part is a challenging task which is time consuming and expensive. Therefore, the optimal values of process parameters should be selected so that performance parameter, like, material removal rate (MRR), radial overcut (ROC) and heat affected zone (HAZ), etc., can be optimised. In this paper, a recently developed optimisation technique firefly algorithm (FA) is considered for finding out the optimal solution. The FA technique is attempted to two non-traditional machining processes, electrochemical micromachining (EMM) and electrochemical discharge machining (ECDM). The variations of process parameters w.r.t performance parameter are represented graphically for better and effective study of the machining processes. The results of EMM and ECDM obtained by using FA are compared and it is found that the results obtained by the application of FA are better compared to the previous researcher's result.