Micro-EDM Pulse Energy Distribution Ratio Determination

Abstract

In this paper, a pulse energy distribution ratio determination method for micro-EDM is presented. The pulse energy distribution ratio is a crucial parameter in the modeling of the EDM process. Instead of measuring the electrode temperature variation (which is very difficult), this method uses the dimensions of the generated craters to determine the pulse energy distribution ratio. The semi-infinite body with uniform disk heat source conduction model has been applied. The radius of the plasma and the pulse energy distribution ratio are obtained via this model. Along with a series of experiments with the pulse energy from 0.09 microjoules to 1.02 microjoules, the average pulse energy distribution ratio have been found which is 8.8% to the anode and 3.3% to the cathode, respectively. These results show a good agreement with similar data in other reported EDM literature.