Wire Rupture Optimization in Wire Electrical Discharge Machining using Taguchi Approach

Center of Advanced Manufacturing and Materials Processing, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, 58100, Malaysia

Abstract

Wire electrical discharge machining (WEDM) is one of the most important nontraditional machining process that is well-known for cutting difficult to machine materials. The wire electrode along with machining parameters control the WEDM process. This research work focuses on optimizing WEDM parameters using Taguchi technique to minimize wire rupture. Experiments have been done using the L18 orthogonal array. Each experiment is repeated three times to ensure accurate readings of the wire rupture. The statistical methods of signal to noise ratio (S/N ratio) is applied to study effects of peak current, pulse width, charging time, wire speed, and wire tension on wire rupture. As a results, the peak current, pulse width, and wire tension have the most significant effect on wire rupture followed by charging time and wire speed. The developed analysis can be used in the metal cutting field to identify the optimum machining parameters for less wire rupture.