Optimization and measurement of kerf width and surface roughness of AISI 316L

AISI 316L steel has wide applications in production of parts used in automobile, biomedical and aviation in-dustries. Machining of AISI316 steel for production of parts with accuracy can be achieved by WEDM. In this work machining of AISI 316L stainless steel is performed using wire electrical discharge machining (WEDM). Taguchi L27 orthogonal array is used to design of machining with five process parameters (wire feed rate, voltage, pulse on time, pulse off time, and peak current). The response parameters surface roughness (SR), and kerf width (Kw),are optimize using single point optimization tool Taguchi S/N ratio, and multi response opti-mization tool grey relation analysis (GRA). The values of surface roghness (minimun), and kerf width (minimun) are1.76 & mu;m, and 0.07 mm, respectively. Minimun value of SR is observed at wire feed rate of 30 mm/s. A factor level analysis for minimum SR gives optimal response is for Wf- 1, Ip -3, Ton -3, voltage - 2, Toff -3, and for Kw is Toff -3 Ton -1, voltage -2, Wf -1, Ip -3. Multi-response optimization is performed using Grey relation analysis (GRA) to select the optimal values of response parameters. Optimum result is obtained at peak current Ip-3 A, Ton 9 & mu;s, Toff 12 & mu;s, voltage 60 V, and wire feed rate 30 mm/s.