Multi-response optimization in wire electrical discharge machining (WEDM) of D2 steel using utility approach

Wire electrical discharge machining (WEDM) is a popular non-conventional machining process used particularly for making extrusion dies, blanking punches, and tools especially requiring tight dimensional tolerances. Because of the process limitation, the rate of cutting and maintenance of close dimensional tolerance is a challenging task. Given the above facts, the present work has been focused on achieving the maximum possible cutting rate (VC) maintaining good dimensional accuracy and corner radius (RC). In the present research work, a multi-response optimization method (i.e. Taguchi based Utility approach) has been used to obtain an optimum set of input parameters such as pulse on time (TON), pulse off time (TOFF), servo voltage (SV), and wire feed rate (WF) resulting into a best overall cutting performance. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) is also used to find out the significant effect of each machining parameter on the cutting performance. The analysis reported in this paper will be helpful for industry personnel to select the best set of process parameters for achieving a good result without the use of any software or statistical analysis.