Experimental Investigation of the Pulse and Plasma Flushing Efficiency in Electrical Discharge Machining

Abstract

This paper presents a study of the relationship between Electrical Discharge Machining (EDM) parameters on the EDM efficiency factors using a full factorial design, based on pulse on-time, duty cycle and tool polarity parameters in EDM machining of AISI H13 tool steel. The results show that, in positive polarity, the plasma flushing efficiency and pulse efficiency increase according to the pulse-on time, but plasma flushing efficiency decreases over 15(μs) pulse duration only under negative polarity of electrode. Based on the experimental results, the plasma flushing efficiency and pulse efficiency increases when the duty cycle increases in positive tool polarity.