Title: A theoretical model of surface roughness in ultrasonic vibration assisted electrical discharge machining in gas

Authors: Q.H. Zhang, J.H. Zhang, S.F. Ren, Z.W. Niu, X. Ai

Addresses: School of Mechanical Engineering, Shandong University, 73 Jingshi Road, Jinan 250061, P.R. China. ' School of Mechanical Engineering, Shandong University, 73 Jingshi Road, Jinan 250061, P.R. China. ' School of Mechanical Engineering, Shandong University, 73 Jingshi Road, Jinan 250061, P.R. China. ' School of Mechanical Engineering, Shandong University, 73 Jingshi Road, Jinan 250061, P.R. China. ' School of Mechanical Engineering, Shandong University, 73 Jingshi Road, Jinan 250061, P.R. China

Abstract: A new machining method, named ||Ultrasonic vibration assisted electrical discharge machining|| (UEDM) in a gas environment is proposed in this paper. It is shown that ultrasonic assisted electrical discharge machining can be achieved well in a gas medium. The tool electrode is made of a thin-walled pipe, and the high pressure gas medium is supplied from inside. During machining, ultrasonic vibration of the workpiece can improve the machining process. A theoretical model to estimate the roughness of the finished surface has been developed. AISI 1045 steel and copper are selected as the workpiece material and electrode material respectively. Experiments have been carried out, and the results show that the roughness of finished surface increases with an increase in the discharge voltage (Ue), the discharge current (Ie) and the pulse duration (tS ).

Keywords: electrical discharge machining; gas; surface roughness; ultrasonic vibration; electro-discharge machining; EDM; UEDM; non-traditional machining; advanced machining; surface finish; discharge voltage; discharge current; pulse duration.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMTM.2005.006840

International Journal of Manufacturing Technology and Management, 2005 Vol.7 No.2/3/4, pp.381 - 390

Published online: 17 Apr 2005 *

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