The Impact of FEM Modeling Parameters on the Computed Thermo-Mechanical Behavior of SLA Copper Shelled Electrodes

In this study, the authors use the finite element method to model and analyse a cylindrical copper shelled SLA electrode for EDM operations, which is investigated experimentally in literature. A uniform silver paint thickness and copper shell thickness is assumed around the SLA epoxy core. In the experiment, 2-D analysis was used due to the axissymmetric shape, and steady state and transient die sink EDMing simulations were followed. Modelling parameters are varied and their impact on the resulting temperature and stress fields is evaluated. The intermittent nature of the electrode thermal loading is also simulated with FEM transient analysis. It is shown that, using the finite element method, the influence of the copper shelled SLA electrode manufacturing and EDM-process parameters can be studied.