Improving the Speed of Small Hole Electrical Discharge Machining by a High Speed Actuator with Small Stroke

Abstract

In this research, we investigated the characteristics (i.e. frequcency response, stability) of EDM control system which has two stage positioning system using a high speed actuator in detail. EDM system must be dealt with as a non-linear system because the gap voltage of that system has nonlinear characteristics. Therefore, the gap voltage was approximated as a saturation element in analytical model for the EDM system. The limitation of control gain for the EDM system was clarified by using the describing function analysis. Then, we examined an EDM cutting test, and it was confirmed that the stability condition is in a good agreement with the experimental result. Finally, it was confirmed that the speed of small hole EDM could be improved by the high speed actuator.