Review on an electrical discharge machining servomechanism system

Abstract

Electrical discharge machining is a non-contact process based on thermoelectric energy between the electrode and workpiece. It is an efficient machining process to machine an advanced, difficult-to-machine material with high precision, complex shapes and high surface quality. Realizing the advantages and abilities of this machining method, electrical discharge machining research has caught the interest of many researchers. This paper reviews the electrical discharge machining process, including recent research fields and inventions that have been developed in order to improve workpiece surface quality and integrity, machining time, tool wear and material removal rate. Electrical discharge machining apparatus and its servomechanism system, including mechanical structure developments using computer numerical control, a lead-screw mechanism and linear motor driven and piezoelectric actuators, are also reviewed. Furthermore, control strategies that are applied to electrical discharge machining systems, including servo-drive control and optimization techniques, such as fuzzy, genetic algorithms and artificial neural networks, are also discussed.