Title: A review on various research trends in micro-EDM

Authors: A. Kadirvel; P. Hariharan; S. Gowri

Addresses: Department of Manufacturing Engineering, College of Engineering, Guindy, Anna University, Chennai-25, India. ' Department of Manufacturing Engineering, College of Engineering, Guindy, Anna University, Chennai-25, India. ' Department of Manufacturing Engineering, College of Engineering, Guindy, Anna University, Chennai-25, India

Abstract: Rapid advancement in manufacturing industries has given rise to miniature and light weight products with increasing high engineering applications. Micro-EDM is one of the most extensively used chipless machining processes to fabricate desired product features. In recent years, many researches have been directed to enhance the performance of micro-EDM. This paper provides such a review on the research activities carried out in the micro-EDM process. The influence of dielectric fluids, pulse characteristics and ultrasonic vibration which play a vital role in the machining performance of micro-EDM are highlighted in this paper. Also attempts made by various researchers to fabricate a high aspect ratio micro-structure using micro-EDM are discussed. Hence, a consolidated review of this research work will enable better understanding of the various contributions for effective implementation/application. The review also focuses on the optimisation of various parameters using different methods viz., Taguchi, ANN, grey relational analysis and fuzzy logic control system.

Keywords: micro EDM; dielectric fluids; pulse duration; ultrasonic vibration; material removal rate; MRR; tool wear; optimisation; Taguchi methods; artificial neural networks; ANNs; grey relational analysis; GRA; fuzzy logic; fuzzy control; electro-discharge machining.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMMS.2012.049968

International Journal of Mechatronics and Manufacturing Systems, 2012 Vol.5 No.5/6, pp.361 - 384

Received: 16 Jun 2011
Accepted: 06 Dec 2011

Published online: 21 Aug 2014 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article