Theoretical modelling of workpiece material removal in electrical discharge machining

In this study, theoretical model of workpiece material removal in electrical discharge machining (EDM) was developed. Thermo-electrical model was developed for a single discharge. Developed model includes several aspects like, generated energy formed by the electrical discharge in liquid media, plasma channel radius variation and heat transfer from the channel. By using different experimental study parameters used in literature, effect of generated energy in plasma channel on workpiece was investigated. The developed model evaluates the temperature distribution in the workpiece material using finite element solver ANSYS Workbench (v.11) software. It?s assumed that the workpiece material reaches the melting point of workpiece material was removed from the surface. Electrical discharge process was simulated by using transient thermal analysis. Finally, the developed model has been validated by comparing the theoretical material removal results with the experimental ones.