Optimization of Process Parameters of Wire Electrical Discharge Machining Of Ti6al4v Alloy Using Teaching-Learning based Optimization

Abstract

Wire-cut electrical discharge machining (WEDM) process is non-traditional type machining process. The material is removed by thermo-electric spark erosion process. Wire EDM machines can cut conductive metals of any hardness that are difficult or impossible to cut with the conventional methods. Titanium grade5 (Ti6Al4V) material is selected as a workpiece material. Ti6Al4V material is used in many applications such as, aerospace, medical, military and other commercial application because of its high strength to weight ratio and its exceptional resistance to corrosion at elevated temperature. Brass wire and diffusion zinc coated wire is used as wire electrode material. The objective of this study is to find relation between process parameters such as pulse on time, pulse off time, peak current, wire tension and servo voltage for the cutting rate & surface roughness. Regression analysis is use to generate the equations for responses. Teaching-Learning-Based optimization (TLBO) algorithm is used to find the optimum values of process parameters. Optimum values of the parameters are obtained by the TLBO method.