Optimization of Machining Parameters of EDM Of Al6061-Sic MMC Using Firefly Algorithm

Abstract

In recent years, unconventional machining processes are the commonly used for machining the complex shapes over the hard materials with high precision. Among these processes, Electrical discharge machining is producing the better surface finish and easy to control the machining parameters. In this research, EDM process had used to drill the blind holes on the Al6061 SiC metal matrix composite to obtain the good surface finish, higher material removal rate and lesser tool wear by optimizing the pulse on time, current and flushing pressure using firefly algorithm. The identified optimal and feasible parameters had been used to fabricate the product and the characterization of machined work pieces were done using SEM and mechanical testing. In this machining process optimization, the relations between the machining parameters and the output performance have been developed through SPSS software and this relation had been utilized as the objective function for the firefly algorithm. Firefly algorithm is one of the emerging algorithms used to identify the optimal values for the NP-hard problem with multiple objectives and constraints. The obtained machining parameters through the firefly algorithm have been experimented and the test results are in the satisfactory level. So the research concluded that the firefly algorithm can be best suitable to identify the optimal EDM process parameters.