Machining Performance and Optimizing Machining Parameters of Al₂O₃–TiC Ceramics Using EDM Based on the Taguchi Method

Abstract

Investigating machining performance of conductive ceramics (Al₂O₃ + 30 vol% TiC) using electrical discharge machining (EDM) is the aim of this work. The EDM machining parameters such as machining polarity, peak current, auxiliary current with high voltage, pulse duration, no load voltage, and servo reference voltage were chosen to explore the effects on material removal rate (MRR), electrode wear rate (EWR), and surface roughness (SR). The L18 orthogonal array based on the Taguchi experimental method was adopted to determine EDM machining characteristics systemically, and the experimental data were statistically analyzed by analysis of variance (ANOVA). Experimental results showed EDM is a feasible process to shape conductive ceramics, and relationships between machining characteristics and parameters were examined. Moreover, machining parameter optimal combination levels in machining conductive ceramics via EDM were also determined.

Keywords:

• Analysis of variance
• Conductive ceramic
• Electrical discharge machining
• Electrode wear rate
• Machining characteristic
• Machining parameter
• Machining polarity
• Material removal rate
• No load voltage
• Orthogonal array
• Peak current
• Pulse duration
• Servo reference voltage
• Surface roughness
• Taguchi method

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The authors would like to thank the National Science Council of the Republic of China, Taiwan, for financially supporting this research under Contract No. NSC93-2212-E-235-004. The authors also wish to acknowledge Mr. Y. J. Lin, Y. C. Hwang, H. W. Wu, and Y. S. Chen for their assistance in conducting the experiments.

Notes

*Significant parameter.

*Significant parameter.

*Significant parameter.