Modelling of ECM and EDM processes

The modelling of ECM and EDM processes requires not one but several models to simulate the different phenomena that occur during machining. This paper reviews the models that have been developed to simulate each of these phenomena, e.g. potential models to calculate the current density distribution in ECM, thermal models for the plasma arc in EDM, moving boundary models to simulate the anodic dissolution in ECM and probabilistic models to determine the discharge location in EDM. In addition to discussing the relative merits of the techniques deployed in these models, the paper describes some salient applications and concludes with desirable future enhancements to these models.