A REVIEW OF RECENT METHODS FOR TOOL WEAR REDUCTION IN ELECTRICAL DISCHARGE MACHINING

Abstract

Electrical discharge machining (EDM) is one of the most explored nonconventional machining processes due to its ability to machine intricate shapes on conductive materials. However, tool wear is one of the major challenges in the EDM process as it directly affects the accuracy of machining, surface roughness, reproduction of geometrical characteristics on the workpiece and cost of the process. Lots of work have been done to minimize the tool wear by improving the discharge conditions by controlling the EDM process parameters, varying the dielectric characteristics, powder-mixed dielectric methods and ultrasonic-assisted methods. However, minimizing the tool wear by the above approaches also constrains the material removal rate from the workpiece and accuracy of the process. This review highlights the efforts done by the researchers to improve tool wear by recently developed techniques or modifications. Researches available in the field of using treated tool electrode, cooled tool electrode, coated tool electrode, noble tool materials and other techniques are highlighted.