Mathematical Modeling of Surface Roughness in Electrical Discharge Machining Process Using Taguchi Method

Electrical discharge machining EDM is used in many industry sectors to machine conductor or semiconductor materials: hardened steels, ceramic alloys, some composites, and diamond. The aim of this paper is to develop a mathematical model of the surface quality of 36CrNiMo16 in EDM using the experimental design method: full factorial design 22. The statistical method of analysis of variance ANOVA, has allowed us to identify the significant effects of cutting parameters (discharge current I and the electrical resistivity of the electrode material ρ e ; Electrolytic copper (Cu–A1) and Graphite (Gr)) on the surface quality. With Taguchi method, it was possible to determine a mathematical model of the surface quality described by the average roughness Ra. Indeed, an electrolytic copper electrode with a relatively low current (I = 8 A) generates a better workpiece surface quality. Therefore, the nature of the material’s electrode influences the surface quality of workpiece.