5768.2:
Application of plasma emission spectroscopy to the electrical discharge during EDM (Project of the TOP NANO 21 Innovation committee)
Abstract
Within the last 20 years, Electrical Discharge Machining (EDM) has developed into one of the most advanced machining technologies. By means of advanced positioning techniques and the application of state of the art power supply technology, EDM allows to produce mirror surface finishing (nanometer roughness) and high machining accuracy. However, to obtain new challenging performances of the technology it is necessary to understand in detail the electrical discharge; the heart of the process. Up till now there are only few works investigating the plasma physics of the discharge. In the present basic project, optical emission spectroscopy shall be systematically applied to study the discharge. This non intrusive plasma diagnostic allows the measurement of elementary plasma parameters such as temperature, pressure and to determine contamination in the discharge and its origin. The dependence of the obtained plasma parameters on process relevant parameters such as current, plasma on-time, dielectric and electrode material shall be investigated. With these elementary investigations it is intended to obtain a first insight into the complex behavior of the electrical discharge during EDM.