Anode erosion in wire-EDM - a theoretical model

Theoretical predictions concerning the machinability of different materials by EDM are difficult because numerous aspects govern this problem. The influence of the thermophysical material properties which play a dominant role can be studied best by a theoretical model. Thus, a new model which is tailored after a typical wire-EDM discharge has been developed and experimentally verified. The model discribes the impact of a discharge on the anode as a heat source on a semi-infinite solid whose size and intensity are time-dependent. The numerical analysis of this mathematical problem has been performed by using the Finite element method.