Title: Application of goal programming technique for Electro Discharge Machining (EDM) characteristics of cemented carbide (WC/Co)

Authors: D. Kanagarajan, R. Karthikeyan, K. Palanikumar, J. Paulo Davim

Addresses: Department of Manufacturing Engineering, Annamalai University, Annamalainagar, 608 002, India. ' Department of Manufacturing Engineering, Annamalai University, Annamalainagar, 608 002, India. ' Sri Sairam Institute of Technology, Sai Leo Nagar, Chennai – 600 044, India. ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Aveiro, Campus Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal

Abstract: Tungsten carbide/Cobalt (WC/Co) cemented carbide is one of the important composite materials which is used for manufacturing cutting tools, dies and other special tools. WC/Co cemented carbide produced through powder metallurgy is subjected to Electro Discharge Machining. The process characteristics such as Material Removal Rate, Tool Wear Rate and Surface Roughness are studied by varying speed of electrode rotation, pulse current, pulse on time and dielectric flushing pressure. The experimental results are used to develop non-linear regression models for the process characteristics. A non-linear Goal programming based on Genetic Algorithm is used to optimise the processing conditions.

Keywords: WC/Co cemented carbide; EDM; electro-discharge machining; multi-objective optimisation; goal programming; genetic algorithms; GAs; electrical discharge machining; tungsten carbide; cobalt; material removal rate; tool wear rate; surface roughness; nonlinear regression models.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMPT.2009.025228

International Journal of Materials and Product Technology, 2009 Vol.35 No.1/2, pp.216 - 227

Published online: 16 May 2009 *

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