A Review - Comparative Study & Optimization of Different Tool Material On AISI 2136 (Plastic Mould Steel) in EDM

The development of new materials shows the immense growth but the major problem, it is very difficult to machine the newly developed materials. So it is necessary to adopt some new machining methods. Electrical Discharge Machining (EDM) is a non-traditional and most popular machining method to manufacture dies, punches and press tools because of its capability to produce complicated, intricate shapes and to machine hard materials. Electrical Discharge Machining performance is generally evaluated on the basis of Overcut (OC), Material Removal Rate (MRR), Tool Wear Rate (TWR) and Surface Roughness (SR). The important EDM machining parameters affecting to the performance measures of the process are discharge current, pulse on time, pulse off time, arc gap, and duty cycle. Several approaches are proposed in the literature to solve the problems related with optimization of these parameters. It is felt that a review of the various approaches developed would help to compare their main features and their relative advantages or limitations to allow choose the most suitable approach for a particular application and also throw light on aspects that needs further attention. In view of above, this paper presents a review of Effect of Electrode Material on Overcut, MRR, TWR of Steel Material in EDM.