Machining of die steel- H11 using EDM electrode

This work was an experimental study on EDM during machining of Die Steel H-11 by hexagonal electrode. The work was analyzed by using Taguchi's method. Material Removal Rate (MRR) and Surface Roughness (SR) were the response variables. Flushing pressure, Current, Pulse ON time and Pulse OFF time are the four input parameters taken during this study. Results of response table obtained from Taguchi's method shows that the Current and Pulse ON time are the most dominating factors which effects MRR and SR the most as compared to other input parameters. In the optimization of MRR, it has been observed that the higher value of MRR is obtained by increasing the Pulse ON (2 µs to 5 µs) within the selected range of input parameters. It has been also observed that by increasing the Pulse ON from 2 µs to 5 µs, the MRR is increased by .027 to .052 (92%). In the optimization of SR, it has been observed that the lower value of SR is obtained by decreasing the Current (12 A to 4 A) within the selected range of input parameters. It has been also observed that by decreasing the Current from 12 A to 4 A, the SR is decreased by 3.56 to 2.07 (71%).