Open Access
EDM machinability and surface roughness analysis of INCONEL 600 using graphite electrodes
(Springer, 2016) Torres Salcedo, Alexia; Puertas Arbizu, Ignacio; Luis Pérez, Carmelo Javier; Ingeniería; Ingeniaritza
Open Access
Optimization and modeling of ZrB2 ceramic processing by EDM for high-performance industrial applications
(Elsevier, 2025-04-11) Luis Pérez, Carmelo Javier; Torres Salcedo, Alexia; Puertas Arbizu, Ignacio; Ingeniería; Ingeniaritza; Institute for Advanced Materials and Mathematics - INAMAT2
This study investigates the Electrical Discharge Machining (EDM) of zirconium diboride (ZrB2), a novel conductive ceramic with exceptional properties, including high temperature resistance, excellent thermal conductivity, and remarkable hardness. These properties make ZrB2 highly suitable for extreme environments, such as aerospace and nuclear applications. To the best of our knowledge, no comprehensive studies have addressed the manufacturing of ZrB2 parts by EDM, positioning this research as a cutting-edge contribution. Two electrode materials, graphite (C) and copper-graphite (Cu–C), were used to analyze the material removal rate (MRR) and surface roughness (Ra) as functions of current intensity (I), pulse time (ti), and duty cycle (η). Multiple Linear Regression (MLR) and Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) were used to model the response variables. While MLR was effective for MRR (R2 > 0.9), ANN outperformed it in predicting Ra, especially for Cu–C electrodes (R2 = 0.9366 vs. 0.3847 for MLR). Current intensity was the most influential parameter for MRR, while pulse time significantly affected Ra. Residual analysis confirmed ANN superior accuracy for Ra, with residuals below ±1 vs. ±2 for MLR. The study culminated in the successful EDM manufacture of a ZrB2 hexagonal nut, employing optimized parameters (I = 6 A, ti = 50 μs, η = 0.3, for the C electrode) derived using ANN models and particle swarm optimization. This result demonstrates the EDM process ability to produce high-precision components with complex geometries, showcasing its versatility and industrial potential. Therefore, this study broadens the understanding of ZrB2 machinability and expands its applications in advanced technologies.
Open Access
Optimal machining strategy selection in ball-end milling of hardened steels for injection molds
(MDPI, 2019) Buj Corral, Irene; Ortiz Marzo, José Antonio; Costa Herrero, Lluís; Vivancos Calvet, Joan; Luis Pérez, Carmelo Javier; Ingeniería; Ingeniaritza
In the present study, the groups of cutting conditions that minimize surface roughness and its variability are determined, in ball-end milling operations. Design of experiments is used to define experimental tests performed. Semi-cylindrical specimens are employed in order to study surfaces with different slopes. Roughness was measured at different slopes, corresponding to inclination angles of 15 degrees, 45 degrees, 75 degrees, 90 degrees, 105 degrees, 135 degrees and 165 degrees for both climb and conventional milling. By means of regression analysis, second order models are obtained for average roughness Ra and total height of profile Rt for both climb and conventional milling. Considered variables were axial depth of cut a(p), radial depth of cut a(e), feed per tooth f(z,) cutting speed v(c,) and inclination angle Ang. The parameter a(e) was the most significant parameter for both Ra and Rt in regression models. Artificial neural networks (ANN) are used to obtain models for both Ra and Rt as a function of the same variables. ANN models provided high correlation values. Finally, the optimal machining strategy is selected from the experimental results of both average and standard deviation of roughness. As a general trend, climb milling is recommended in descendant trajectories and conventional milling is recommended in ascendant trajectories. This study will allow the selection of appropriate cutting conditions and machining strategies in the ball-end milling process.
Open Access
Using a fuzzy inference system to obtain technological tables for electrical discharge machining processes
(MDPI, 2020) Luis Pérez, Carmelo Javier; Ingeniería; Ingeniaritza
Technological tables are very important in electrical discharge machining to determine optimal operating conditions for process variables, such as material removal rate or electrode wear. Their determination is of great industrial importance and their experimental determination is very important because they allow the most appropriate operating conditions to be selected beforehand. These technological tables are usually employed for electrical discharge machining of steel, but their number is significantly less in the case of other materials. In this present research study, a methodology based on using a fuzzy inference system to obtain these technological tables is shown with the aim of being able to select the most appropriate manufacturing conditions in advance. In addition, a study of the results obtained using a fuzzy inference system for modeling the behavior of electrical discharge machining parameters is shown. These results are compared to those obtained from response surface methodology. Furthermore, it is demonstrated that the fuzzy system can provide a high degree of precision and, therefore, it can be used to determine the influence of these machining parameters on technological variables, such as roughness, electrode wear, or material removal rate, more efficiently than other techniques.
Open Access
Spacing roughness parameters analysis on the EDM of Inconel (R) 600 alloy
(Elsevier, 2017) Torres Salcedo, Alexia; Puertas Arbizu, Ignacio; Luis Pérez, Carmelo Javier; Ingeniería Mecánica, Energética y de Materiales; Mekanika, Energetika eta Materialen Ingeniaritza
Many research studies may be found regarding the measurement of surface roughness parameters. Most of them are focused on amplitude parameters as they are the most commonly used in industry, while little research has been found on the spacing ones. Spacing roughness parameters measure the horizontal characteristics of the surface deviations. In this present study, the influence of current intensity, pulse time and duty cycle on spacing roughness parameters Sm and Pc has been analyzed. Design of experiments techniques are used in order to both model and predict the most influential factors by using a small number of experiments. Current intensity of 2 A, pulse time of 25 mu s and duty cycle of 0.5 are selected as the best machining conditions in order to obtain the lowest surface roughness.
Open Access
Mechanical properties analysis of an Al-Mg alloy connecting rod with submicrometric structure
(MDPI, 2015) León Iriarte, Javier; Salcedo Pérez, Daniel; Murillo Crespo, Óscar; Luis Pérez, Carmelo Javier; Fuertes Bonel, Juan Pablo; Puertas Arbizu, Ignacio; Luri Irigoyen, Rodrigo; Ingeniería Mecánica, Energética y de Materiales; Mekanika, Energetika eta Materialen Ingeniaritza
Over these last few years, there has been a growing interest in developing mechanical components from submicrometric materials due to the significant improvement that these materials present compared to their original state. This present research work deals with the study of the mechanical properties of a connecting rod isothermally forged from different starting materials. These materials are as follows: annealed aluminum alloy (AA) 5754, the same alloy previously deformed through equal channel angular pressing (ECAP) and a third case where the previously ECAP-processed material is subjected to a recovery heat treatment. A comparison is made between finite volume (FV) simulations and experimental tests with respect to hardness, plastic strain and forging force. Furthermore, the improvement in the mechanical properties of the connecting rod forged from predeformed material is evaluated in comparison to the connecting rod forged with annealed material. The microstructure of both cases is also compared at the end of the manufacturing process.
Open Access
Manufacturing of nanostructured rings from previously ECAE-processed AA5083 alloy by isothermal forging
(Hindawi, 2013) Luis Pérez, Carmelo Javier; Salcedo Pérez, Daniel; León Iriarte, Javier; Puertas Arbizu, Ignacio; Fuertes Bonel, Juan Pablo; Luri Irigoyen, Rodrigo; Ingeniería Mecánica, Energética y de Materiales; Mekanika, Energetika eta Materialen Ingeniaritza
The manufacturing of a functional hollow mechanical element or ring of the AA5083 alloy previously equal channel angular extrusion (ECAE) processed, which presents a submicrometric microstructure, is dealt with. For this purpose, the design of two isothermal forging dies (preform and final shape) is carried out using the design of experiments (DOE) methodology. Moreover, after manufacturing the dies and carrying out tests so as to achieve real rings, themechanical properties of these rings are analysed as well as their microstructure. Furthermore, a comparison between the different forged rings is made fromECAE-processedmaterial subjected to different heat treatments, previous to the forging stage. On the other hand, the ring forging process ismodelled through the use of finite element simulation in order to improve the die design and to study the force required for the isothermal forging, the damage value, and the strain thematerial predeformed by ECAE has undergone.With this present research work, it is intended to improve the knowledge about the mechanical properties of nanostructured material and the applicability of this material to industrial processes that allow the manufacturing of functional parts.
Open Access
Experimental and FEM analysis of wear behaviour in AA5083 ultrafine-grained cams
(MDPI, 2020) Luis Pérez, Carmelo Javier; Luri Irigoyen, Rodrigo; Fuertes Bonel, Juan Pablo; León Iriarte, Javier; Salcedo Pérez, Daniel; Puertas Arbizu, Ignacio; Ingeniería; Ingeniaritza
Severe plastic deformation (SPD) processes have attracted a great deal of both scientific and technological interest over the last few years as a consequence of the improvements that are possible to obtain in the microstructure and mechanical properties of the materials manufactured through the use of these kind of processes. However, the practical applications of such materials to obtain mechanical components are significantly fewer. As a direct consequence, the same thing has been observed in the development of studies that show the in-service behaviour of the mechanical components developed in this way. Since one of the industrial objectives of these SPD processes is to obtain functional parts, it is necessary to carry out studies to fill this gap. Therefore, in this study, an analysis of the wear that cams undergo when manufactured from an AA5083 aluminium-magnesium alloy is carried out. The cams were isothermally-forged from materials with and without previous SPD processing by equal channel angular pressing (ECAP). Subsequently, the wear behaviour of these cams was analysed by using specific equipment, which may have been considered to have a block-on-ring configuration, developed for testing in-service wear behaviour of mechanical parts. From this comparative wear study with cams, it is shown that previously-processed materials by ECAP have a better wear performance. Moreover, finite element modelling (FEM) simulations were also included to predict wear in the cams processed in this way. A good agreement between FEM and experimental results was obtained. It is this aspect of performing the wear tests on functional and real mechanical components, and not on laboratory samples, which makes this present research work novel.
Open Access
Análisis de la influencia de las condiciones de proceso sobre el acabado superficial de materiales cerámicos fabricados por electroerosión
(CENIM, 2004) Puertas Arbizu, Ignacio; Luis Pérez, Carmelo Javier; Ingeniería Mecánica, Energética y de Materiales; Mekanika, Energetika eta Materialen Ingeniaritza
El mecanizado por electroerosión (en inglés, Electrical Discharge Machining, EDM) constituye una alternativa emergente frente a otros procesos de fabricación de materiales cerámicos conductores, tales como: mecanizado por láser, mecanizado electroquímico, chorro de agua con abrasivos, mecanizado por ultrasonidos y rectificado con muela de diamante. Debido a su interés en el ámbito industrial, en este trabajo se lleva a cabo un estudio de la influencia de las condiciones de operación sobre el aspecto superficial de tres materiales cerámicos conductores: carburo de boro prensado en caliente (B4C), carburo de silicio infiltrado con silicio (SiSiC) y carburo de wolframio en matriz metálica de cobalto (WC-Co), electroerosionados bajo diferentes condiciones de mecanizado y para el caso particular de regímenes de acabado (Ra ≤ 1 μm).
Open Access
Design, optimization, and mechanical property analysis of a submicrometric aluminium alloy connecting rod
(Hindawi, 2015) Fuertes Bonel, Juan Pablo; León Iriarte, Javier; Luis Pérez, Carmelo Javier; Salcedo Pérez, Daniel; Puertas Arbizu, Ignacio; Luri Irigoyen, Rodrigo; Ingeniería Mecánica, Energética y de Materiales; Mekanika, Energetika eta Materialen Ingeniaritza
Ultrafine grained materials have a great deal of both scientific and technological interest because they allow outstanding properties to be obtained. An improvement in the mechanical strength and in the ductility and a better fatigue behaviour are properties to be expected with these materials. However, in spite of the great number of scientific publications that deals with the mechanical property improvement, the number of practical applications of these materials is scant. In this present research work, equal channel angular pressing (ECAP) is used as a severe plastic deformation process (SPD) to obtain billets which are subsequently isothermally forged to obtain a connecting rod with submicrometric grain size. The optimization of the design process is shown as well as the die design. The objective variables to be fulfilled are the correct filling of the die and the required force to obtain the part. Moreover, a comparison is also included between the mechanical properties thus obtained and those obtained with traditional methods. Moreover, optical and SEM micrographs are also included in this research work.