Electric discharge machining performance measures and optimisation: a review.

In Electric Discharge Machining (EDM), the material is eroded due to the generation of spark. It is mainly used for machining the materials which conduct the electric current. In this article, a thorough literature review is carried out to study the effect of control factors on response parameters such as cylindricity, circularity, surface roughness, material elimination rate and tool erosion rate in the profile created. Control factors which can be varied are tool material, voltage, current, T_on and T_off. In this review, a proper study has been done to find the process controlling parameters and the relationship between process parameter variables and optimisation of rate of material removal, rate of tool erosion and surface finish. The working principle, ionisation of dielectric fluid, removal of material, tool wear and overcut have also been considered. A detailed analysis has also been done on the basis of previously published research work linking with variants of EDM, limitations of EDM, work material, tool material, process parameters and optimisation methods used. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]