The Effect of EDM Die-Sinking Parameters on Material Characteristic for Aluminum Composite

Abstract

The machining ability of Electrical Discharge Machining (EDM) die-sinking on material characteristics of LM6 (Al-Sil2) is studied. This is due to the machining process on sharp edge, pocket, deep slot and micro hole cannot be performed by milling and turning machine. The objective of this paper is to determine the relationship between the machining parameters such as pulse on time, pulse off time, peak current and voltage on material removal rate (MRR) that are electrode wear rate (EWR) and surface roughness (Ra). Graphite tool of diameter 15mm was chosen as an electrode. Taguchi method is used as analysis technique to develop experimental matrix that is used to optimize the MRR, EWR and Ra. The analysis was done by using the Minitab software version 16. It is found that the current and pulse off time are significantly effected the MRR, EWR and Ra while pulse on time and voltage are less significant factors that affected the responses. From the Taguchi method, the best setting of optimum value was obtained. Thus, it shows that Taguchi method is the best quality tools that can be applied for production.