دانلود A DECISION SUPPORT SYSTEM FOR TOOL ELECTRODE SELECTION FOR ELECTRO DISCHARGE MACHINING PROCESS USING THE ANALYTIC HIERARCHY PROCESS

Abstract

The  shape  and  accuracy  of  any  part  machined  using  the  electro  discharge  machining process depends primarily on the shape and accuracy of the tool or the cutting electrode. Hence, the selection of tool electrodes in Electro Discharge Machining Process becomes an important task. Theoretically, any  material that is a good conductor of electricity can be used as a tool with varying advantages. It is very difficult to find a single material that possesses all the desirable characteristics, and therefore the selection becomes a difficult task. The present paper proposes a methodology based on the Analytic Hierarchy Process) AHP)  for  selection  of  a  Tool  Electrode  for  the  Electro  Discharge  Machining  Process.  Based  on  the  AHP  method,  an  Electrode  Selection  Index  (ESI)  is  found  for  all  the alternatives that are considered in the present study. This ESI helps to evaluate and rank  any  given  number  of  alternative  materials.  The  results  of  the  present  study  suggest  that Graphite  and  Copper  are  the  best  materials  for  fabricating  a  tool  electrode  in  EDM process.