Pulse train analysis in ultrasonic assisted EDM

Improved discharge characteristics with ultrasonic vibration of either electrode in EDM, are analysed for their time average effects. Records of the pulse trains obtained randomly on a transient recorder were analysed for ignition delay, microshorts, open circuit and arcing pulses and average pulse energy. Ultrasonic irradiation of the spark gap showed no significant effect on ignition delay or average pulse energy per active pulse but the inactive pulses are significantly reduced with reduced incidence of arcing. The latter would facilitate increased duty factor though in practice the machining rate showed improvement even at the same frequency and duty factor due to the improved sparking efficiency. © 1987.