Optimization of Electro Discharge Machining Process Parameters With Fuzzy Logic for Stainless Steel 304 (ASTM A240)

Electro discharge machining (EDM) process need to be optimized when a new material invented or even if some process variables changed. This process has many variables and it is always difficult to get the optimum set of variables by chance. Therefore, an optimization process need to be conducted considering different combinations of machining parameters as well as other variables even if the process were optimized for a certain set of variables. Optimization of the EDM process for machining stainless steel 304 (SS304) (ASTM A240) was studied in this paper. Signal-to-noise ratio (S/N) was calculated for each performance measures, and multi response performance index (MRPI) was generated using fuzzy logic inference system. Optimal machining parameters for machining SS304 materials were identified, namely current 10, pulse on time 60 mu s, and pulse off time 35 mu s. Analyses of variances (ANOVA) method was used as well to see which machining parameter has significant effect on the performance measures. The result of ANOVA indicates that pulse off time and current are the most significant machining parameters in affecting the performance measures, with the pulse off time being the most significant parameter.