Comparing and Investigating the Effect of Input Parameters on External Parameters in Parts of Different Materials in EDM Operation Using Taguchi Method

The correct selection of input parameters in the electric discharge machining (EDM) process leads to improvements in the material removal rate (MRR), dimensional accuracy of the parts, quality of the surface finish, and reduction of tool wear. The main goal of the research was to investigate the type and extent of the influence of input on output parameters in EDM operations. Experimental data and the contribution of parameters were obtained using the Taguchi test design with three levels. The tool used was made of copper. Samples were selected from three types of alloy steel: 4340, Ti6Al-4V, and AISI D2 steel. The test variables included maximum current (Ip), gap voltage (Vg), and duty factor (DF). In these experiments, Ip values of 5, 10, and 15 amps, Vg values of 25, 50, and 75 volts, and DF values of 0.3, 0.6, and 0.9 were selected. The number of machining operations was 81 tests, and the L9 orthogonal array related to the Taguchi approach used for Design of Experiments (DOE) reduced the number of machining operations from 81 to 27 tests. The results indicated that the current parameter of 5 amps had the highest effect on surface roughness (SR) in samples of AISI4340 steel. The current of 15 amps had the greatest impact on MRR, while the duty factor (DF) of 0.6 played the highest role in electrode wear rate (EWR). Maximum Ip contributed 36.77%, Vg contributed 31.03%, and DF contributed 32.18% to EWR.