To: Nancy Myers

From: Jeremy Gillespie and Robert Morin

Date: November 28, 2022
Subject: APLED 121-Research Project and Oral Presentation

Electrical Discharge Machining

Introduction (1 minute)
 Team members Robert Morin (CEO) and Jeremy Gillespie (COO)
 Today’s short presentation we will learn about Electrical Discharge Machining (EDM)
 Specifically:
o Defining EDM
o How EDM works
o Watch a short video of EDM
o Advantages of EDM
o Challenges of EDM

What is Electric Discharge Machining? (1 minute)

 Definition - Electrical discharge machining (EDM) is a non-traditional machining process
based on removing material from a part by means of a series of repeated electrical
discharges between tools, called electrodes, and the part being machined in the
presence of a dielectric fluid. (Science Direct)
 20,000 volts to 100,000 volts – average stun gun is 25,000 volts to give you an idea

How does Electrical Discharge Machining work? (2 minute)

 Non-contact process
 Places an electrode (wire) and an electrically conductive workpiece into a circulating
dielectric fluid
 The dielectric fluid acts as an insulator until a specific spark gap and voltage ionizes it
and enables a spark to travel to the work piece
 The spark has a temperature between 14,420 to 21,630 ° F (8,000 - 12,000° C) which
causes erosion
 Note: There are two main variations on the EDM process:
o sinker (also called “ram” or “vertical”) EDM and wire EDM.
o Each uses different materials and is suited to different final applications
 Fun fact: Molten material is called ‘Swarf”

Video of Electrical Discharge Machining (1 minute)

1 minute video - Electric discharge machine #1 - YouTube

Advantages of Electrical Discharge Machining (1 minute)

 Can machine parts regardless of their hardness
 Can reproduce any complicated shapes on tools
 High accuracy of about .005mm
  Good service conditions can me achieved economically up to .02 microns
 Reduced machining time than the conventional machining time (learn mechanical)
 No mechanical stresses are developed in this process (There is no contact between tool
and work)
 Higher tool life due to proper lubrication and cooling.
 Hard and erosion resistant surface on the dies can be developed easily.
 It can be applied to any electrically conductive materials.

Challenges of Electrical Discharge Machining (1 minute)

 High power consumption.
 The sharp corner cannot be reproduced.
 High heat developing causing the change in metallurgical properties of materials.
 The workpiece must be an electrical conductor.
 Surface cracking may take place in some materials.
 Redressing of a tool is required for deep holes.
 Over-cut is formed.
 Difficult finding expert machinists.

Summary/Thank you & Questions (2 minute)

 In summary, we learned EDM is a metal fabrication process whereby a desired shape is
obtained by using electrical discharges while circulating dielectric fluid. We learned that it
is noncontact and has a temperature between 14,420 to 21,630 ° F (8,000 - 12,000° C)
which causes erosion. We also learned EDM has its advantages and equal challenges.
We watched a short video of its simplest application. And learned what swarf is 😊

Resources

Internet:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/materials-science/electrical-discharge-machining
Electric discharge machine #1 - YouTube
Machining 101: What is Electrical Discharge Machining? | Modern Machine Shop
(mmsonline.com)
Electrical Discharge Machining: Definition, Working, Parts, Applications, Advantages,
Disadvantages [With PDF] – Learn Mechanical

Pictures
https://www.market-prospects.com/storage/images/8b2a419a6d526141f65bb72e53ec6d3b.jpg
https://enterprisetd.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/91-edm.png
https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/1600/1*F3_BfS-36ffL5fq0jZ3baw.jpeg
https://apacinfrastructure.com.au/sites/default/files/styles/uc_product_full/public/EDM-electrical-
discharge-machining-wire-cutting-brisbane-queensland.jpg?itok=f37cW8kB
https://www.mdpi.com/materials/materials-13-00530/article_deploy/html/images/materials-13-
00530-g001.png