PERFORMANCE EVALUATION OF ELECTRICAL DISCHARGE MACHINING DIE SINKING ON STAINLESS STEEL 316L USING COPPER IMPREGNATED GRAPHITE

摘要

This study presents the results of experimental studies carried out to conduct a comprehensive investigation on the influence of Electrical Discharge Machining (EDM) input parameters on characteristics of EDM process. The machining parameters include peak current, servo voltage, pulse ON time and pulse OFF time. The study was conducted using 2 levels of Full Factorial Method in Design of Experiments. The design expert software employed to perform all the data analysis for Full Factorial and Central Composite Design (CCD) experiments. This study evaluates the machining performance of the Stainless Steel 316L using Sodick EDM linear motor series AM3L which employed Copper impregnated graphite diameter 7.0 mm as the tool electrode. The response variables are material removal rate (MRR), electrode wear rate (EWR), surface roughness (SR) and dimensional accuracy. The result shows that the peak current was the most significant factors to all variable responses. The servo voltage does not have significant effects to the machining responses in RSM. Higher current produced higher MRR, EWR, SR and Dimensional Accuracy. Maximum MRR was obtained at peak current range from 27amp to 38amp, pulse on time range from 120μs to 145μs and 60μs of pulse off time. Maximum EWR was obtained at peak current range from 27amp to 37amp, pulse on time range from 140μs to 160μs and 60μs of pulse off time. High probably, the minimum EWR only can be obtained if peak current parameter sets greater than 45amp. Lower dimensional accuracy and SR obtain at 5amp of pulse on time. Higher pulse off time produced lower MRR and EWR.