Experimental investigation of EDM process parameters in machining of 17-4 PH Steel using taguchi method

• Main Authors: Chandramouli, S., Eswaraiah, K.
• Format: Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Subjects: Copper tungsten electrode; MRR; PH Steel; Taguchi method
• ISSN: 2214-7853; 2214-7853
• DOI: 10.1016/j.matpr.2017.12.084

Electrical discharge machining is one of the advanced unconventional machining processes. EDM process is based on thermoelectric energy between the work piece and an electrode. In the present study, the optimal setting of the process parameters of Electric Discharge Machining was determined. The important process parameters that have been selected are peak current, pulse on time, pulse off time and tool lift time with output response as Material Removal Rate and Surface Roughness. L27 Taguchi experimental design was used to conduct the experiments on 17-4 Precipitation Hardening Stainless Steel (PH Steel) with copper tungsten electrode. ANOVA method was used with the help of MINITAB 17 software to analysis the influence of input process parameters on output response. The process parameters were optimized in order to obtain maximum material removal rate and minimum surface roughness by considering the inter action effects of process parameters and the experimental results were validated by confirmation tests. The analysis of Taguchi method reveals that peak current, pulse on time and tool lift time have significantly affected the material removal rate and surface roughness. Surface topography of the machined samples is analyzed using Scanning Electron Microscopy for optimal levels of process parameters