Study of the parameters in electrical discharge machining through response surface methodology approach

Whereas the efficiency of traditional cutting processes is limited by the mechanical properties of the processed material and the complexity of the workpiece geometry, electrical discharge machining (EDM) being a thermal erosion process, is subject to no such constraints. The lack of correlations between the cutting rate, the surface finish and the physical material parameters of this process made it difficult to use. This paper highlights the development of a comprehensive mathematical model for correlating the interactive and higher order influences of various electrical discharge machining parameters through response surface methodology (RSM), utilizing relevant experimental data as obtained through experimentation. The adequacy of the above the proposed models have been tested through the analysis of variance (ANOVA). Optimal combination of these parameters was obtained for achieving controlled EDM of the workpieces. (C) 2009 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.