Ingenieur Vol.70 Apr-June 2017 ingenieur Apr-June 2017-FA | Page 55

energy is required to melt the work-piece surface energy is required to melt the work-piece surface to form a through hole and this leads to a longer to form a through hole and this leads to a longer machining time. Longer machining times results machining time. Longer machining time results in a lower MRR. Therefore, MRR decreases in a lower MRR. Therefore, MRR decreases with thicker work-pieces. The diameter of the with thicker work-pieces. The diameter of the electrode only marginally influences the MRR. electrode only marginally influences the MRR. With an increase in diameter, there is a possibility With an increase in diameter, there is a possibility that more electrons are excited and jump off the that more electrons are excited and jump off the electrode to form an electrical spark. The nominal electrode to form an electrical spark. The nominal capacitance applied is the stored charge that capacitance applied is the stored charge that excites free electrons in the electrode to provide excites free electrons in the electrode to provide the emission of electrons to the work-piece. the emission of electrons to the work-piece. Higher capacitance provides more electrical Higher capacitance provides more electrical discharge energy and hence a higher MRR. When discharge energy and hence a higher MRR. When the feed rate increases, the electrode tool reaches the feed rate increases, the electrode tool reaches the surface of the work-piece faster and gives a the surface of the work-piece faster and gives a shorter machining time. Therefore, machining time shorter machining time. Therefore, machining time increases with the increase in feed rate. increases with the increase in feed rate. Electrode Wear Ratio (EWR) Electrode Wear Ratio (EWR) EWR is always affected by thermal erosion and the EWR is always affected by thermal erosion and the flushing process of the electrode tool during the flushing process of the electrode tool during the EDM process (D’Urso & Merla, 2014). The trend of EDM process (D’Urso & Merla, 2014). The trends the graph shows that (Fig. 11 - 15): of the graphs show that (Figures 11 - 15): EWR decreases with the change of work- ● ● EWR decreases with the change of work- piece material from brass to stainless steel;