Optimization of effective parameters in electrohydraulic forming process (without bridge wire between electrodes)

Electrohydraulic forming (EHF) is a high velocity sheet metal forming process in which two electrodes are positioned in a water filled chamber and a high-voltage discharge between the electrodes generates a high-pressure to form the sheet metal. In this work, extensive experimental tests have been designed based on design of experiments (DOE) technique to investigate the effective parameters in EHF. Discharge energy, stand-off distance, electrode gap and electrode diameter have been considered as effective input parameters. Response surface methodology (RSM) has been used to model and optimize the EHF performance with respect to drawing depth. Base on the results, it can be stated that maximum drawing depth is obtained when discharge energy is minimum and other two factors (stand-off distance and electrode diameter) are maximum. There also exists an optimum amount of electrode gap determined according to the process conditions.