TOOL ELECTRODE WEAR AT WIRE ELECTRICAL DISCHARGE MACHINING.

The wire electrical discharge machining is a machining method in which the pulse electrical discharges developed between workpiece and travelling wire tool electrode are used in order to detach parts having complex ruled surfaces in plate type workpieces. The problem of evaluation of wire tool electrode wear was considered. A theoretical analysis of phenomena developed in work zone during wire electrical discharge machining process was developed. An experimental research in accordance with the rules valid in the case of a factorial experiment with six independent variables at two levels was designed and materialized. Power type empirical mathematical models were determined by mathematical processing of the experimental results, in order to highlight the influence exerted by workpiece thickness, pulse on time, pulse off time, wire tensioning force and current intensity and travelling speed on the wire tool electrode wear. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]