Modelling and optimization of energy intensity of an electrical discharge machine

Abstract

Abstract Nowadays, high fabrication productivity and high-quality products are a matter of course. However, it would not be possible without the use of highly sophisticated progressive technologies in the production process. But many of these modern production technologies are characterized by high consumption of energy. Given the current energy prices, this is not an insignificant amount of money. It is also necessary to point out, that in many cases the rule concerning the mutual interconnection of the energy intensity of production technologies with the resulting quality of the machined area applies. These reasons led us to the optimization of energy consumption in the context of the required quality of the machined surface in terms of selected indicators. The paper aims to describe the results of the performed experimental measurements in order to create mathematical models with subsequent optimization of electricity consumption of an electrical discharge machine. Unlike many types of research conducted in the field so far, the results of the solution were based on determining the relationships between the energy intensity of the electrical discharge machine and its controllable outputs in terms of the final roughness of the eroded surface. The performed optimization based on experimentally obtained results was directed so that its results could be applied in real conditions of technical practice.