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UNIVERSITI TEKNIKAL MALAYSIA MELAKA PROCESS OPTIMIZATION OF EDM CUTTING PROCESS ON TOOL STEEL USING ZINC COATED ELECTRODE WIRE This report submitted in accordance with requirement of the Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka (UTeM) for the Bachelor of Manufacturing Engineering Technology (Process & Technology) with Honours By MUHAMMAD QAMARUDDIN BIN MOHD AHYAN B071210458 910814-01-6793 FACULTY OF ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY 2015

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Page 1: UNIVERSITI TEKNIKAL MALAYSIA MELAKAeprints.utem.edu.my/18039/1/Process Optimization Of EDM Cutting Process On Tool Steel...UNIVERSITI TEKNIKAL MALAYSIA MELAKA. PROCESS OPTIMIZATION

UNIVERSITI TEKNIKAL MALAYSIA MELAKA

PROCESS OPTIMIZATION OF EDM CUTTING PROCESS ON

TOOL STEEL USING ZINC COATED ELECTRODE WIRE

This report submitted in accordance with requirement of the Universiti Teknikal

Malaysia Melaka (UTeM) for the Bachelor of Manufacturing Engineering Technology

(Process & Technology) with Honours

By

MUHAMMAD QAMARUDDIN BIN MOHD AHYAN

B071210458

910814-01-6793

FACULTY OF ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY

2015

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UNIVERSITI TEKNIKAL MALAYSIA MELAKA

BORANG PENGESAHAN STATUS LAPORAN PROJEK SARJANA MUDA

TAJUK: PROCESS OPTIMIZATION OF EDM CUTTING PROCESS ON TOOL

STEEL USING ZINC COATED ELECTRODE WIRE

SESI PENGAJIAN: 2015/16 Semester 1

Saya MUHAMMAD QAMARUDDIN BIN MOHD AHYAN

mengaku membenarkan Laporan PSM ini disimpan di Perpustakaan Universiti

Teknikal Malaysia Melaka (UTeM) dengan syarat-syarat kegunaan seperti berikut:

1. Laporan PSM adalah hak milik Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka dan penulis. 2. Perpustakaan Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka dibenarkan membuat salinan

untuk tujuan pengajian sahaja dengan izin penulis. 3. Perpustakaan dibenarkan membuat salinan laporan PSM ini sebagai bahan

pertukaran antara institusi pengajian tinggi.

4. **Sila tandakan ( )

SULIT

TERHAD

TIDAK TERHAD

(Mengandungi maklumat yang berdarjah keselamatan

atau kepentingan Malaysia sebagaimana yang termaktub

dalam AKTA RAHSIA RASMI 1972)

(Mengandungi maklumat TERHAD yang telah ditentukan

oleh organisasi/badan di mana penyelidikan dijalankan)

(TANDATANGAN PENULIS)

Alamat Tetap:

NO. 3, JALAN DELIMA, PESERAI

KECIL, SIMPANG LIMA, 83020

BATU PAHAT, JOHOR

Tarikh: ________________________

Disahkan oleh:

(TANDATANGAN PENYELIA)

Cop Rasmi:

** Jika Laporan PSM ini SULIT atau TERHAD, sila lampirkan surat daripada pihak berkuasa/organisasi

berkenaan dengan menyatakan sekali sebab dan tempoh laporan PSM ini perlu dikelaskan sebagai

SULIT atau TERHAD.

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Rujukan Kami (Our Ref) : Rujukan Tuan (Your Ref) :

09 DEC 2015 Pustakawan Perpustakaan UTeM Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka Hang Tuah Jaya, 76100 Durian Tunggal, Melaka. Tuan/Puan, PENGKELASAN LAPORAN PSM SEBAGAI SULIT/TERHAD LAPORAN PROJEK SARJANA MUDA TEKNOLOGI KEJURUTERAAN PEMBUATAN (Process & Technology): MUHAMMAD QAMARUDDIN BIN MOHD AHYAN Sukacita dimaklumkan bahawa Laporan PSM yang tersebut di atas bertajuk “Process Optimization Of Edm Cutting Process On Tool Steel Using Zinc Coated Electrode Wire” mohon dikelaskan sebagai *SULIT / TERHAD untuk tempoh LIMA (5) tahun dari tarikh surat ini. 2. Hal ini adalah kerana IANYA MERUPAKAN PROJEK YANG DITAJA OLEH SYARIKAT LUAR DAN HASIL KAJIANNYA ADALAH SULIT. Sekian dimaklumkan. Terima kasih. Yang benar, ________________ Tandatangan dan Cop Penyelia

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DECLARATION

I hereby, declared this report entitled “Process Optimization Of EDM Cutting

Process On Tool Steel Using Zinc Coated Electrode Wire” is the results of my own

research except as cited in references.

Signature : ………………………………………….

Name : Muhammad Qamaruddin Bin Mohd Ahyan

Date : …………………………………………

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APPROVAL

This report is submitted to the Faculty of Engineering Technology of UTeM as a

partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Bachelor of Engineering

Technology (BETP) (Hons.). The member of the supervisory is as follow:

………………………………

(Engr Hanizam Bin Hashim)

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ABSTRACT

Electrical Discharge Machining (EDM) is a process of metal machining in

which a tool discharges thousands of sparks to a metal work piece. The main

purpose of this project is to compare surface roughness of tool steel material

using zinc coated brass and brass electrode wires and to recommend the best

electrode diameter to machine tool steel work piece material application. There

are three objective of this project that needs to be accomplished. Firstly is to

compare the surface roughness of tool steel material using zinc coated brass and

brass electrode wires. Secondly is to recommend the best electrode diameter to

machine tool steel work piece material application. Thirdly is to study the effects

of feed rate to the surface roughness. 3 work pieces are machining and 15

readings of surface roughness are taken for every size of diameter of wire. By

using the Minitab software, the data in each objective is done. As a conclusion,

the best wire for both types is zinc coated brass. Then, the best diameter of wire

is 0.10 mm based on their surface roughness result. Next, according to feed rate

changed, it is not much a distinction in effect of surface roughness value. In

addition, take an over reading on each sample to be a correction if have any error

occurred.

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ABSTRAK

Electrical Discharge Machining (EDM) adalah satu proses pemesinan logam di mana

alat yang melepaskan beribu-ribu percikan api kepada bahan kerja logam. Tujuan

utama projek ini adalah untuk membandingkan kekasaran permukaan alat bahan

ujian keluli menggunakan zink bersalut tembaga dan tembaga wayar elektrod dan

mencadangkan elektrod terbaik untuk mesin alat keluli bahan kerja. Terdapat tiga

objektif projek ini yang perlu dicapai. Pertama adalah untuk membandingkan

kekasaran permukaan alat bahan keluli menggunakan zink bersalut tembaga dan

tembaga wayar elektrod. Kedua adalah untuk mencadangkan garis pusat elektrod

terbaik untuk mesin alat keluli bahan kerja. Ketiga adalah untuk mengkaji kesan

kadar suapan untuk kekasaran permukaan. Sebanyak 3 keping bahan dan 15 bacaan

kekasaran permukaan yang diambil untuk setiap saiz diameter wayar. Dengan

menggunakan perisian Minitab, data dalam setiap objektif dilakukan.

Kesimpulannya, wayar terbaik untuk kedua-dua jenis adalah zink bersalut tembaga.

Kemudian, diameter yang terbaik wayar ialah 0.10 mm berdasarkan keputusan

kekasaran permukaan. Seterusnya, berkenaan dengan perubahan kadar suapan, ia

tidak banyak perbezaan dalam nilai kekasaran permukaan. Tambahan lagi,

mengambil bacaan yang lebih pada setiap sampel adalah untuk membuat sebarang

pembetulan jika sesuatu kesilapan berlaku.

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DEDICATION

Firstly, dissertation is dedicated to Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka, whose give

opportunity in order to complete my case study. It is very helpful with provided good

facilities and services while research happened. Secondly, I would like to dedicated

to Mr Engr. Hanizam Bin Hashim as supervisor and Mr. Mohd Kamal bin Musa as

co-supervisor whose passion for teaching set a new knowledge that can be apply, not

only in this research, also can be implement in daily routine. Other than that,

technician in Faculty of Engineering Technology (FTK) , those who always gave

good co-operation and time in order to completed this research. Lastly this dedication

to Mohd Razali Bin Md Yunos whose approved this research and improvised on how

to make this research more useful and helpful in industry.

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

By the name of ALLAH, the Most Gracious and Most Merciful

Due to completion of this thesis, I am deeply indebted to my respected

supervisor, Engr. Hanizam bin Hashim from Faculty of Engineering Technology,

University Teknikal Malaysia Melaka (UTeM) for his encouragement, motivation,

constructive criticism and beneficial guidance which led me through this project. I

would also like to express my greatest gratitude to Mr. Mohd Kamal bin Musa from

Faculty of Engineering Technology, co-supervisor of this project for his advice and

continuously guides me during performing the Wire Electric Discharge Machine

(WEDM). Special thanks to management of UTeM for the financial support

throughout this project.

Deep gratitude goes to multitude of my friends who have contributed their aid

in some manner, especially Nuraiman Bin Samli and Muhammad Nizam Bin Abd

Samat. Special thanks to my beloved father, mother and siblings for their moral

support in completing this degree. Lastly, thank you to everyone who had been to the

crucial parts of realization of this project. Only Allah S.W.T could bestow all of you

with His bless and kindness, handsomely reward for your contributions.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

DECLARATION i

APPROVAL ii

ABSTRACT iii

ABSTRAK iv

DEDICATION v

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT vi

TABLE OF CONTENTS vii

LIST THE FIGURES x

LIST OF TABLES xi

LIST ABBREVIATIONS, SYMBOLS xii

CHAPTER 1 1

INTRODUCTION 1

1.1 Project Background 1

1.2 Problem Statement 3

1.3 Objective 3

1.4 Scope of the Research 3

1.5 Outline Of the Report 4

CHAPTER 2 5

LITERATURE VIEW 5

2.1 Wire Electrical Discharge Machining (WEDM) 5

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2.1.1 Working Principles Of WEDM 7

2.2 Wire Electrode 9

2.2.1 Zinc Coated Brass Wire Electrode 9

2.3.1 Brass Wire Electrode 10

2.3 Tool (Electrode) 11

2.4 Influence Of Process Parameters On The Wire EDM Process 12

2.5 Surface Integrity 13

2.6 Kerf 13

2.6.1 Kerf In WEDM 15

2.7 Statistical Analysis 15

2.8 T-Test 16

CHAPTER 3 17

METHODOLOGY 17

3.1 Project Planning (Flow Chart) 17

3.2 Material Selection 19

3.2.1 AISI H13 Material 19

3.3 Wire Electrodes 20

3.3.1 Zinc Coated Brass 20

3.3.2 Brass 21

3.4 Wire Electrical Discharge Machining 22

3.4.1 Parameter 24

3.5 Surface Roughness Tester Mitutoyo SJ-410 25

3.5.1 Standard Procedure for Surface Roughness Testing 26

3.6 Part To Be Cut 28

3.7 Data Collection 29

3.8 Wire-cut Electrical Discharge Machining (WEDM) Procedure 30

CHAPTER 4 31

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RESULTS & DISCUSSION 31

4.1 Comparison Between Brass And Zinc Coated Electrode Wire 31

4.2 Comparison Between Different Diameter Of Zinc Coated Eletrode Wire 35

4.3 The Effects Of Feed Rate To Surface Roughness Data Collection 38

4.3.1 Analysis For 0.7 Against 1.1 41

4.3.2 Analysis For 0.9 Against 1.1 42

4.3.3 Analysis For 0.7 Against 0.9 43

CHAPTER 5 44

CONCLUSION & FUTURE WORK 44

5.1 Summary Of Research 44

5.2 Future Work 45

APPENDICES 47

APPENDIX A 48

EQUIPMENTS 48

APPENDIX B 50

WORK PIECE 50

BIBLIOGRAPHY 53

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LIST THE FIGURES

Figure 2.1 : Wire Driving And Cutting Mechanism In Wedm 6

Figure 2.2 : Schematic For WEDM Process 7

Figure 2.3 : Schematic Diagram For WEDM 7

Figure 2.4 : The Movement Of Electrode Wire Against Work Piece 8

Figure 2.5 : Pure Zinc Coating On Brass Wire Core 10

Figure 2.6 : Plain Brass 11

Figure 2.7 : Factors Influencing The Wire Edm Process 12

Figure 2.8 : Schematic Of The Work Piece And The Process 14

Figure 2.9 : Details Of Kerf Width 14

Figure 3.1 : Research Development Process Flow 18

Figure 3.2 : Mild Steel Plates 20

Figure 3.3 : Zinc Coated Brass Electrode Wire 21

Figure 3.4 : Brass electrode wire 22

Figure 3.5 : Wire Electrical Discharge Machining (Wedm) Sodick Vz300l 24

Figure 3.6 : Mitutoyo Surface Roughness Tester 25

Figure 3.7 : Illustration of application of Surface Roughness Tester 26 Figure 3.8 : Drawing path to be cut 28

Figure 4.1 : Brass Against Zinc Coated 33

Figure 4.2 : Interval Plot For Diameter Wire 37

Figure 4.3 : Time Series Plot For Different Feed Rate 39

Figure 4.4 : A Boxplot For The Feed Rate Of The Wire Electrode 39

Figure 4.5 : 2-Sample T-Test For The Mean Of 0.7 And 1.1 41

Figure 4.6 : 2-Sample T-Test For The Mean Of 0.9 And 1.1 42

Figure 4.7 : 2-Sample T-Test For The Mean Of 0.7 And 0.9 43

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LIST OF TABLES

Table 3.1 : Physical Properties Of Tool Steel 19

Table 3.2 : Specification Of Zinc Coated Brass 21

Table 3.3 : Specification of Brass Electrode 22

Table 3.4 : Specification of Sodick VZ300L WEDM 23

Table 3.5 : Parameter during machining process 24

Table 3.6 : Specification Of Surface Roughness Tester 25

Table 3.7 : Procedure of using Mitutoyo Surface Roughness Tester 27

Table 3.8 : Table Of Experiment 29

Table 3.9 : Step By Step Of WEDM Operation Setup 30

Table 4.1 : Surface Roughness For Both Of The Wire 32

Table 4.2 : Minitab Result For Two-Sample T 34

Table 4.3 : Surface Roughness For Different Diameter 36

Table 4.4 : Surface Roughness For The Different Of Feed Rate 38

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LIST ABBREVIATIONS, SYMBOLS

ANOM = Analysis Of Means

CNC = Computer Numerical Control

EDM = Electrical Discharge Machine

H0 = Null Hypothesis

MRR = Material Removal Rate

Nc = Numerical Control

Ra = Surface Roughness

WEDM = Wire Electrical Discharge Machining

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CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

This chapter basically explains the background, problem statement, objectives

and scope on research.

1.1 Project Background

Electrical Discharge Machining (EDM) is a process of metal machining in

which a tool discharges thousands of sparks to a metal work piece. A non-

conventional process, EDM melts or vaporizes cutting material, leaving little

debris and providing a very accurate line. Industry-wide acceptance has led to a

wide variety of EDM applications, as it is highly versatile, can cut hard metals,

and utilizes a relatively compact amount of workspace.

According to this experiment process, there are some info on electrode

material used at the industry such as brass, copper, silver etc. As an information,

Brass was one of the first EDM electrode materials. It is inexpensive and easy to

machine but it exhibits a higher degree of stiffness and is easier to machine than

Copper. Besides, Copper became the metallic electrode material of choice

because of the combination of Copper and certain power supply settings enables

low wear burning. This electrode material still has a significant disadvantages, it

is soft and gummy material to machine or grind. Then, Silver occasionally due to

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its superior electrical conductivity, purity and structural integrity. However, due

to the cost, Silver is rare to be used. (Kern, 2008)

Based on this project title, the main electrode material is zinc coated wire.

It is consists of brass wire electroplated with high purity zinc. The high plating

accuracy realizes faster machining speed and also provides a better surface finish

on the work piece. The high purity zinc layer formed on the surface of the brass

by means of our unique electroplating technology realizes higher machining

speed.

By uniformly coating the surface of the wire with zinc, which has good

discharge characteristics, it is possible to create a finer discharge compared to

when using general brass wire. In the finishing process, improved surface

roughness and a better machined profile are obtained, resulting in high cost

performance. Almost no copper adheres to the work piece. The zinc coating

method is a method of coating by electroplating. It is not a method in which is

wire is dipped in molten zinc. A high purity uniform zinc layer can be obtained.

The discharge is stable and free of irregularities. Impurities are kept to the

minimum, thus preventing deterioration of performance. (Cable, 2012)

This project is conducted to optimize process of EDM cutting on tool

steel using zinc coated electrode wire. Other than that, this project also to study

about zinc coated on brass wire on EDM cutting process. Then, this analysis will

find out the parameter by using proper current, speed travelling and diameter of

zinc coated electrode wire.

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1.2 Problem Statement

Lately, Brass wire electrode been used in the industry for quite

sometimes because its offer low cost and good quality finishing. in recent years,

zinc coated brass offer higher cutting speed and performance. (Mms, 2015)

However, study in this matter is still insufficient to prove zinc coated brass is

better than brass.

1.3 Objective

Based on this problem, the type of wire to be testing is zinc coated brass

electrode wire. In addition, this is the objective below:

1. To compare surface roughness of tool steel material using zinc coated brass

and brass electrode wires.

2. To recommend the best electrode diameter to machine tool steel work piece

material application.

3. To study the effects of feed rate to surface roughness.

1.4 Scope of the Research

The work scope that will involve in this project is the type of wire cut

involved is brass and zinc coated brass. To make sure that these will be achieved, the

machine of EDM that will be use is Sodick VZ300L. Furthermore, the diameter of

the wire electrode is 0.1 mm, 0.2 mm and 0.25 mm. The type of material to be cut or

use on this study is tool steel AISI H13. The surface roughness of the material cut

will be measured using Mitutoyo SJ-410. At the end of this experiment analysis, the

application of EDM will know as much and the diameter of wire electrode of EDM

wire cut by zinc coated will be found.

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1.5 Outline Of the Report

This project has been divided into five chapters covering the whole our culture in

order to achieve the desired objectives. The contents of each chapter have been

decided after the information was found. The included content is based on

discussions with the supervisor and the information obtained from previous research.

Chapter 1 explains about the project background. Then it followed by objectives of

the project, problem statements and scope of the project. Finally, in this chapter

explain the outline of the project.

Chapter 2 shows the literature review about the previous work on the wire cut EDM

machine. These previous study works as a guidance to perform or build the idea to

solve the problems later.

Chapter 3 explains the methodology used in order to solve the problem.

Methodology is important because the working progress followed the methodology

step and makes it achieve the objective or not.

Chapter 4 explains procedures, results and discussion made after completion of the

work done in the lab. All prove of the action that be done need to state in this chapter

and attached with the explanation of the action.

Chapter 5 shows the conclusion and recommendation of the project. The conclusion

made is based on the findings that get from the action that had been done. Based on

what already done, suggestion about another material is stated here in order to go

further on this project in future.

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CHAPTER 2

LITERATURE VIEW

This chapter basically explains about machinery and equipment used in this project

as a guide for studies. Besides, basic information about Wire Electrical Discharge

Machining (WEDM) will be tell and how to operate the machine. At early stage of

the studies, some gap analysis has been carried out in order to ensure the relevance of

this research. All relevant aspect such as current, speed travelling and diameter of

electrode wire will be told a little bit in this chapter.`

2.1 Wire Electrical Discharge Machining (WEDM)

The introduction of continuous Wire-EDM to industrial practice in 1969

revolutionised the manufacture of punching, pressing and extrusion tools, and rapidly

led to its achieving a monopoly. The process has also gained acceptance in prototype

production and in series production e.g. for the aerospace industry. In the Wire-EDM

process, the material is removed by means of temporally and spatially discrete

discharges which produce local vaporization and melting in association with ejection

processes. This enables all electrically-conductive materials to be processed without

significant exertion of force, irrespective of their hardness.

Continuous Wire-EDM cutting comprises two successive processing steps. A

main cut (high discharge energy) is carried out first, in order to cut out the desired

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geometry from the solid material as rapidly as possible, with an allowance for the

secondary cuts. Accuracy and surface quality are still unsatisfactory after the main

cut. The discharge energy is then gradually reduced during a series of 1-7 secondary

cuts, to obtain high accuracy and good surfaces quality.

A volume of work piece has been removed during this short period of spark

discharge depends on the desired cutting speed and the surface finish required.

Estimated at around 15000 to 21000 Fahrenheit to heat of each electrical spark and

erode away a bit of material that is vaporized and melted from the work piece. The

chips are flushed away from the cut with a stream of deionised water through the top

and bottom flushing nozzles. The heat build-up in the work piece is prevented by

deionised water. (Moulton, 2015). Without this cooling system, thermal expansion of

the work piece would affect size and positioning accuracy.

Figure 2.1 : Wire driving and cutting mechanism in WEDM, Source : (W,

2011)

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Figure 2.2 : Schematic for WEDM process (Roger, 2014)

Figure 2.3 : Schematic Diagram For WEDM, (Patnaik, 2006)

2.1.1 Working Principles Of WEDM

Wire Electrical Discharge Machining (WEDM) is non–traditional machining

techniques that have high accuracy although complicated shapes especially for the

parts that are difficult to be machined. From WEDM can make tools and dies and is

an alternative of producing small scale parts with the great dimensional accuracy and

surface finish quality. In WEDM, wire is used as electrode that made of thin copper,

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brass or tungsten that have diameter 0.05 mm until 0.3 mm which is capable of

achieving very small radius of corner. By using mechanical tensioning device, the

wire is kept in tension and can reduce to produce inaccurate parts. (Sathiaraj, 2015).

In WEDM, the conductive materials are machined with electrical discharging

that will produce sparks between an accurately positioned of electrode wire and the

work piece. According to (Cable, 2012), the high frequency pulses of alternating or

direct current is discharged from the electrode wire with a small gap or spark through

a dielectric fluid. Sparks can be observed and the actual discharging occur more than

one hundred thousand times per second and lasting in the range of 1/1000000 of a

second or less.

A volume of work piece has been removed during this short period of spark

discharge depends on the desired cutting speed and the surface finish required.

Estimated at around 15000 to 21000 Fahrenheit to heat of each electrical spark and

erode away a bit of material that is vaporized and melted from the work piece.

(Moulton, 2015). The chips are flushed away from the cut with a stream of deionised

water through the top and bottom flushing nozzles. The heat build-up in the work

piece is prevented by deionised water. (Edge, 2015). Without this cooling system,

thermal expansion of the work piece would affect size and positioning accuracy.

Figure 2.4 : The movement of electrode wire against work piece,

Source: (Edge, 2015)

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2.2 Wire Electrode

A variation of EDM is WEDM or electrical discharge wire cutting. In

WEDM process, this almost similar to contour cutting with a band saw. The wire

travels slowly along a prescribed path and the work piece is cutting with discharge

sparks. The wire can cut a work piece as thick as 300 mm and usually being used to

make a mould, punches, tool and dies from hard metal. Intricate components for the

electronics industries also will be cut. According to (Wukesha, 2014) accessed on 5

May 2014, WEDM is a machine to cut material with a slight wire anode that takes

after a customized way. The wires are generally made of metal, copper or tungsten.

Zinc or metal covered wires are additionally being utilized. The wire diameter is

typically about 0.30 mm for roughing cut and 0.20 mm for finishing cut.

There is no effect on cutting speed even the work piece material is hardness

and no physical contact between the wire and part being machined. The important

factors in selecting brass and copper are ability to generate an electric discharge,

mechanical strength at high temperature, high electrical conductivity and high heat

conductivity. The wire also should have sufficient tensile strength and fracture

toughness as well as high electrical conductivity and capacity to flush away the

debris produces during the cutting. (Wukesha, 2014)

2.2.1 Zinc Coated Brass Wire Electrode

At the Figure 2.5 below shows the structure of Pure Zinc Coated on Brass

Wire Core. The brass wire is coated with 100% zinc although the brass contain a

little of zinc.