Electrical discharge machining (EDM) is an attractive machining technique but it requires electrically conductive ceramic materials. In this study, Alumina matrix composites reinforced with CNTs were fabricated through CNT purification, mixing, compaction and spark plasma sintering (SPS) processes. nanocomposites with the different CNT concentrations were synthesized. The mechanical and electrical characteristics of /CNTs composites were examined in order to apply the materials to the EDM process. In addition, micro-EDM using wire electrical discharge grinding (WEDG) was conducted under the various EDM parameters to investigate the machining characteristics of machined hole by Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FE-SEM). The results show that /CNTs 10%Vol. was more suitable than the other materials because high conductivity and large discharge energy caused violent sparks resulting in bad machining accuracy and surface quality.

This paper describes the NC simulator system for Wire-cut electrodischarge machining. Electrodischarge Wire-cut machining is applicable to all materials including metals, alloys, and most carbides. Although CAM system generate the NC code considering electrodischarge conditions, incorrect Wire-cut tool path bring about fatal results. The simplest way of simulating a EDM process is to display the trajectory of Wire-cutter location by line segments. With this kind of simulation, the programmer can get a general idea about whether the wire is moving as planned but cannot locate gouging or excess material because only the wire location will be seen, not the changes in the workpiece as it is machined. The ideal way of simulating the EDM process is to display the solid model of the workpiece as it is machined. Therefore we propose the ideal NC simulator system for Wire-cut EDM.

This paper describes the NC simulator system for Wire-cut electrodischarge machining. Electrodischarge Wire-cut machining is applicable to all materials including metals, alloys, and most carbides. Although CAM system generate the NC code considering electrodischarge conditions, incorrect Wire-cut tool path bring about fatal results. The simplest way of simulating a EDM process is to display the trajectory of Wire-cutter location by line segments. With this kind of simulation, the programmer can get a general idea about whether the wire is moving as planned but cannot locate gouging or excess material because only the wire location will be seen, not the changes in the workpiece as it is machined. The ideal way of simulating the EDM process is to display the solid model of the workpiece as it is machined. Therefore we propose the ideal NC simulator system for Wire-cut EDM.