Parametric optimization during wire electrical discharge machining using response surface methodology

Abstract

Present study has been made to optimize the process parameters during machining of SiCp/6061 Al metal matrix composite (MMC) by wire electrical discharge machining (WEDM) using response surface methodology (RSM). Four input process parameters of WEDM (namely servo voltage (V), pulse-on time (TON), pulse-off time (TOFF) and wire feed rate (WF)) were chosen as variables to study the process performance in terms of cutting width (kerf). The analysis of variance (ANOVA) was carried out to study the effect of process parameters on process performance. In addition mathematical models have also been developed for response parameter. Properties of the machined surface have been examined by the scanning electron microscopic (SEM). © 2012 Published by Elsevier Ltd.