Title: Finite element thermal analysis of micro-EDM

Authors: Rajeev Kumar, Vinod Yadava

Addresses: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Motilal Nehru National Institute of Technology, Allahabad 211004, India. ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, Motilal Nehru National Institute of Technology, Allahabad 211004, India

Abstract: A finite element-based thermal model for the Micro Electro-Discharge Machining (µ-EDM) is developed for the determination of temperature distribution in the zone of influence of single spark. The model is able to predict the shape and size of the crater that is formed by single spark as a result of the material removal. The calculated crater radius result is verified by comparing them with experimental results available in literature. Energy partition is also determined using computational experiments. Parametric study for crater radius, crater depth, Material Removal Rate (MRR) and energy partition has been also done. It has been found that heat flux and input energy significantly affect energy partition value.

Keywords: micro-electrical discharge machining; MEDM; micro-EDM; finite element method; FEM; temperature distribution; electrical discharge machining; electro-discharge machining; thermal modelling; crater depth; material removal rate; MRR; energy partition; heat flux.

DOI: 10.1504/IJNP.2008.020898

International Journal of Nanoparticles, 2008 Vol.1 No.3, pp.224 - 240

Published online: 23 Oct 2008 *

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