The Current Methods for Improving Electrical Discharge Machining Processes

Electrical Discharge Machining (EDM) is a non-conventional manufacturing process based on removing material from a part by electrical discharges between the tool called tool electrode and the part being machined in the dielectric fluid called workpiece. Recently, numerous developments in EDM have focused on the production of very high accuracy of workpiece. The problematic areas in EDM are in the area of handling, electrode and workpiece preparation, machining processes, and measurement. This paper presents the current research trend and describes patents on the development of EDM especially in the years of 2007 and 2008, and particularly the development of Powder Mixed Electrical Discharge Machining (PMEDM). The result of the study shows that by applying PMEDM, the material removal rate is increasing and the surface roughness is decreasing.