Abstract:
In this paper, a tunable fuzzy logic based servo
controller for monitoring and control of the micro-electro
discharge machining (micro-EDM) process has been developed,
which uses the behavior of discharge pulses. The fuzzy logic
applies a heuristic approach in dealing with the non-linear and
time varying nature of the micro-EDM process. The control
parameters affecting the performance of micro-EDM include gap
voltage and gap current discharge pulses. It is important to
discriminate between different levels of pulses for proper
operation of micro-EDM. Discrimination of pulses from an Retype power source is still an ill-defined problem relying on
heuristics. The choice of appropriate values of discharge pulses is
generally based on the knowledge and experiences of operators.
In this study experiments were carried out to distinguish the
discharge pulses, which were then classified into open, sparking,
arcing, off and short circuit. The classified pulses were utilized as
the input fuzzy sets of the fuzzy logic based controller that drives
the servo system to maintain the desired gap width. The
simulated results obtained demonstrate that the fuzzy logic
controller is able to provide stable machining and improve the
performance of the micro-EDM process.
