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Micro-electrical discharge machining (micro-EDM) stands out as a transformative methodology, offering substantial progress in both technical and economic efficiency through the integration of coated electrodes. This study meticulously analyzes various technological parameters in micro-EDM, focusing specifically on Ti-6Al-4V, a widely employed titanium alloy. The application of a titanium nitride (TiN) coating material on a tungsten carbide (WC) electrode is investigated using the Taguchi method of experimental design. This study employs an ANOVA and factorial design methodology to scrutinize the influence of key parameters, namely voltage (V), capacitance (C), and spindle rotation (in revolutions per minute) (RPM) on the tool wear rate (TWR), overcut (OVC), and Z coordinate (depth) within the micro-EDM process. The findings unveil a noteworthy increase in the TWR with an elevated V, C, and RPM, with capacitance exerting a pronounced influence while voltage exhibits the least impact. OVC exhibits notable variations, revealing an inverse relationship with RPM. The Z coordinate (depth) is significantly affected by capacitance, with voltage and RPM each having a relatively negligible impact. A surface quality analysis exposes similarities and numerous defects in both coated and uncoated electrodes, emphasizing the need for further exploration into the effectiveness of coated electrodes in enhancing post-micro-EDM machined surface layers. This study contributes valuable insights to optimize and advance micro-EDM processes, laying groundwork for future innovations in precision machining.

This research investigates the impact of high-speed and thermal-assisted machining (HS-TAM) on tool wear and surface roughness during the milling of SKD11 steel. The goal is to identify high-speed and elevated temperature zones that can improve machining efficiency, enhance surface quality, minimize costs, and extend tool life. The study involves the high-speed milling of SKD11 steel at various temperature conditions to evaluate the effect of temperature on tool wear and surface roughness. Additionally, experiments are conducted at the highest allowable support temperature with increased high-speed cutting to examine the effect of high speed on tool wear and surface roughness. The study demonstrates the correlation between cutting-tool wear and surface roughness at various high-speed cutting conditions and TAM environments and provides recommendations for cutting speeds and heating temperatures for different quality and productivity objectives. The findings indicate that high-speed milling of SKD11 at 600 m/min and 500 °C can decrease cutting tool-wear height (wear volume) and surface roughness by 82.47% (95.74%) and 91.08%, respectively, compared to machining at room temperature. Furthermore, the higher-speed modes at 500 °C result in a slight increase in wear height and surface roughness for high-speed cutting below 800 m/min, but reduces surface roughness for high-speed cutting beyond 800 m/min, reaching a value of 0.158 µm at the high-speed cutting limit of 1000 m/min.