Can Electro Discharge Machining (EDM) replace the Lathe Machine in near future due to its versatility and easiness of machining conditions for machining of conductive materials? Non contacting machining, though thermal loading is there, will lead to use more EDMs in near future in Industries, I guess. If it so, what replacements should one consider in designing EDMs? Comments please..
Dear J.S. Reddy,
I think there is a need to critically evaluate the advantages and disadvantages associated with both machining process which are going to affect the output variables. Like if you are targeting the productivity at mass level then there are many other advance machining operations developed like Laser machining which can replace EDM and the slow machining rate of die sinking EDM is its major disadvantage apart from three ability to machine sharp contours and shapes onto the workpiece. So upto certain extent EDM can not considered as an replacement to lathe machining as far as my opinion is concerned.
Dear J.S. Reddy,
The use of conventional or unconventional machine depends on the type of material we want to process and the hardness ratio of tool and work material. Machining every conductive material using EDM is not a good idea as EDM has certain limitations too. Some of them are: 1. Competitively (as compared to CNC lathe) costly in processing and maintenance. 2. Low rate of production (as the MRR in CNC lathe is very high).3. Time consuming.
So as per your question, lathe can not be replaced completely in near future, however the use of EDM can be extended in industries for precise machining of expensive-conductive-difficult to cut materials.
Moreover, the traditional EDMs can be modified by transforming them into computer numeric controlled system with functionality/multi operation on same work material at same time.
Dear J.S. Reddy,
We knows very well that the key requirements of machining industries is to produce good quality products at high production rate. EDM has better surface quality with lower MRR and some times its change the metallurgy (HAZ) of conductive materials. Lathe has good surface quality as well as higher MRR. I think, Lathe is preferred over EDM in near future for conductive materials.
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