Energy Distribution Ratio into Micro EDM Electrodes

Energy distribution ratio into micro EDM electrodes was determined based on the summation between the ratio of energy loss due to heat conduction within electrodes and ratio of energy carried away by debris. Ratio of energy loss due to heat conduction was obtained by comparing the measured and calculated temperature rise on electrode after igniting plural pulses discharges. On the other hand, the ratio of energy carried away by debris was calculated based on the measured removal volume. Energy distribution ratio into micro EDM anode and cathode was between 10% and 15% in total which was comparatively lower than that of macro EDM. This is because much larger fraction of the total discharge energy is consumed for the generation and enthalphy increase of the plasma in the early stage of discharge. Besides, unlike macro EDM the energy carried away by debris in micro EDM cannot be ignored compared with the energy lost due to heat conduction. This means, the energy consumption by material removal in micro EDM with regard to the energy distributed into the electrodes is more efficient compared to that of macro EDM.