Development of Hybrid EDM Electrode for Improving Surface Morphology

Electric Discharge Machining (EDM) is an important method for the machining or drilling holes, especially for difficult to machine materials. In EDM, materials removal starts when a potential difference is applied between the workpiece and tool electrode. Voltage is high enough to produce a spark between two electrodes. The spark melts and vaporizes a small material volume on each of the electrodes. To improve the machining performance of EDM, a combined method of Electric Discharge Grinding EDG and Electric Discharge Machining has been developed. Most of the researchers have applied rotational motion to traditional electrode only. Due to rotation of electrode, dielectric circulation & debris removal is improved. However, rotational head attachment of EDM is a very costly arrangement. In order to solve the problem stated above, a new hybrid electrode is developed. The most noteworthy feature of the method using this hybrid electrode is that it removes the metal by abrasive actionof ceramic material also, as in traditional EDM machining there is no as such action performed. The advantage of ceramic material attached to the EDM electrode is that it removes metal by abrasive action.