Control Strategy for Electrical Discharge Machining (EDM) Pulse Power Generator

Electrical Discharge Machining (EDM) is a advanced machine that can control electrical spark to erode metal on the workpiece. In manufacturing, EDM is used on hard material parts that are extremely difficult to machine by conventional machining processes. EDM system consists of a shaped tool and the work piece, which are connected to a power supply and placed in a dielectric fluid. EDM pulse power generator applies voltage and current pulses between the electrode and workpiece to generate sparks through the gap. To obtain the optimum metarial removal rate (MRR), a good alternative is to improve the gap voltage and gap current. A proposed solution to these issue is combining ultracapacitor bank to the main power supply circuit for EDM machines. The control feedback of this research is designed to make sure that the current on DC bus is maintained at current setting during the machining processes.