Hybridization of electrical discharge machining process

Abstract

This paper discusses the recent developments in the field of Electrical Discharge Machining (EDM) hybrid process. Spark machining is a universally recognised unconventional process, excluding the restriction of having low machining efficiency. To overcome this, various investigations have been made on designing of electrode, types of dielectric medium, variations in input parameters etc. Although material expulsion rate have been found to improve, nonetheless it cannot encounter the requirements of modern industries and the quality of surface is inferior. To increase further the utility of EDM, its hybridization with other process have to be carried out. A hybrid process can reduce the machining time while maintaining better surface and material expulsion rate. In hybrid process, the mechanism of two processes is applied concurrently or consecutively. Although, the performance of combined process is better as compared to the individual processes but hybridization increases the process complexity.