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K H Ho

Bio: K H Ho is an academic researcher from Loughborough University. The author has contributed to research in topics: Electrical discharge machining & STEP-NC. The author has an hindex of 3, co-authored 4 publications receiving 1862 citations.

Papers
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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Electrical discharge machining (EDM) has been continuously evolving from a mere tool and die making process to a micro-scale application machining alternative attracting a significant amount of research interests as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: Electrical discharge machining (EDM) is a well-established machining option for manufacturing geometrically complex or hard material parts that are extremely difficult-to-machine by conventional machining processes. The non-contact machining technique has been continuously evolving from a mere tool and die making process to a micro-scale application machining alternative attracting a significant amount of research interests. In recent years, EDM researchers have explored a number of ways to improve the sparking efficiency including some unique experimental concepts that depart from the EDM traditional sparking phenomenon. Despite a range of different approaches, this new research shares the same objectives of achieving more efficient metal removal coupled with a reduction in tool wear and improved surface quality. This paper reviews the research work carried out from the inception to the development of die-sinking EDM within the past decade. It reports on the EDM research relating to improving performance measures, optimising the process variables, monitoring and control the sparking process, simplifying the electrode design and manufacture. A range of EDM applications are highlighted together with the development of hybrid machining processes. The final part of the paper discusses these developments and outlines the trends for future EDM research.

1,421 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors reviewed the vast array of research work carried out from the spin-off from the EDM process to the development of the WEDM, and highlighted the adaptive monitoring and control of the process investigating the feasibility of different control strategies of obtaining the optimal machining conditions.
Abstract: Wire electrical discharge machining (WEDM) is a specialised thermal machining process capable of accurately machining parts with varying hardness or complex shapes, which have sharp edges that are very difficult to be machined by the main stream machining processes. This practical technology of the WEDM process is based on the conventional EDM sparking phenomenon utilising the widely accepted non-contact technique of material removal. Since the introduction of the process, WEDM has evolved from a simple means of making tools and dies to the best alternative of producing micro-scale parts with the highest degree of dimensional accuracy and surface finish quality. Over the years, the WEDM process has remained as a competitive and economical machining option fulfilling the demanding machining requirements imposed by the short product development cycles and the growing cost pressures. However, the risk of wire breakage and bending has undermined the full potential of the process drastically reducing the efficiency and accuracy of the WEDM operation. A significant amount of research has explored the different methodologies of achieving the ultimate WEDM goals of optimising the numerous process parameters analytically with the total elimination of the wire breakages thereby also improving the overall machining reliability. This paper reviews the vast array of research work carried out from the spin-off from the EDM process to the development of the WEDM. It reports on the WEDM research involving the optimisation of the process parameters surveying the influence of the various factors affecting the machining performance and productivity. The paper also highlights the adaptive monitoring and control of the process investigating the feasibility of the different control strategies of obtaining the optimal machining conditions. A wide range of WEDM industrial applications are reported together with the development of the hybrid machining processes. The final part of the paper discusses these developments and outlines the possible trends for future WEDM research.

658 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
01 Oct 2005
TL;DR: A view of how these STEP-NC compliant information models can be used to support the wire electrical discharge machining (WEDM) CAD to the CNC process chain is provided.
Abstract: Over the last five years, a great deal of research effort has been concentrated on the development of a new data model ISO 14649, informally known as STEP-NC. It has been strongly argued that STEP-NC has huge implications on the integration of the computer-aided design/computer-aided process planning/computer-aided manufacture (CAD/CAPP/CAM) (CAx) systems, giving the opportunity to realize interoperable computer numerical control (CNC) manufacturing. This is largely owing to the data model, which provides the capability to revolutionize the current state of the art in CNC manufacturing by offering a bi-directional interface with a high-level description of the geometrical and manufacturing information. This paper provides a view of how these STEP-NC compliant information models can be used to support the wire electrical discharge machining (WEDM) CAD to the CNC process chain. The models are based on part 13 of the ISO 14649 standard, which is dedicated to the WEDM process, together with part 10 of...

11 citations


Cited by
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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors reviewed the research trends in electrical discharge machining on ultrasonic vibration, dry EDM machining with powder additives, EDM in water and modeling technique in predicting EDM performances.
Abstract: Electrical discharge machining (EDM) is one of the earliest non-traditional machining processes. EDM process is based on thermoelectric energy between the work piece and an electrode. A pulse discharge occurs in a small gap between the work piece and the electrode and removes the unwanted material from the parent metal through melting and vaporising. The electrode and the work piece must have electrical conductivity in order to generate the spark. There are various types of products which can be produced using EDM such as dies and moulds. Parts of aerospace, automotive industry and surgical components can be finished by EDM. This paper reviews the research trends in EDM on ultrasonic vibration, dry EDM machining, EDM with powder additives, EDM in water and modeling technique in predicting EDM performances.

785 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors reviewed the vast array of research work carried out from the spin-off from the EDM process to the development of the WEDM, and highlighted the adaptive monitoring and control of the process investigating the feasibility of different control strategies of obtaining the optimal machining conditions.
Abstract: Wire electrical discharge machining (WEDM) is a specialised thermal machining process capable of accurately machining parts with varying hardness or complex shapes, which have sharp edges that are very difficult to be machined by the main stream machining processes. This practical technology of the WEDM process is based on the conventional EDM sparking phenomenon utilising the widely accepted non-contact technique of material removal. Since the introduction of the process, WEDM has evolved from a simple means of making tools and dies to the best alternative of producing micro-scale parts with the highest degree of dimensional accuracy and surface finish quality. Over the years, the WEDM process has remained as a competitive and economical machining option fulfilling the demanding machining requirements imposed by the short product development cycles and the growing cost pressures. However, the risk of wire breakage and bending has undermined the full potential of the process drastically reducing the efficiency and accuracy of the WEDM operation. A significant amount of research has explored the different methodologies of achieving the ultimate WEDM goals of optimising the numerous process parameters analytically with the total elimination of the wire breakages thereby also improving the overall machining reliability. This paper reviews the vast array of research work carried out from the spin-off from the EDM process to the development of the WEDM. It reports on the WEDM research involving the optimisation of the process parameters surveying the influence of the various factors affecting the machining performance and productivity. The paper also highlights the adaptive monitoring and control of the process investigating the feasibility of the different control strategies of obtaining the optimal machining conditions. A wide range of WEDM industrial applications are reported together with the development of the hybrid machining processes. The final part of the paper discusses these developments and outlines the possible trends for future WEDM research.

658 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the authors compared a Dimensional Analysis (DA) model, an Artificial Neural Network (ANN) model and an experimental result for a low gap current of an Electrical Discharge Machining (EDM) process.
Abstract: This paper aims to compare the material removal rate, ν between a Dimensional Analysis (DA) model, an Artificial Neural Network (ANN) model and an experimental result for a low gap current of an Electrical Discharge Machining (EDM) process. The data analysis is based on a copper electrode and steel workpiece materials. The DA and ANN model that have been developed and reported earlier by authors are used to compare the material removal of EDM process. The result indicated that the ANN model provides better accuracy towards the experimental results.

612 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, a review on the phenomenon of surface modification by electric discharge machining and future trends of its applications is presented, with particular emphasis on the potential of this process for surface modification.

432 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This paper surveys key advances in mechanical design and control of dynamic effects and nonlinearities, in the context of high-speed nanopositioning, as well as future challenges and research topics.
Abstract: Recent interest in high-speed scanning probe microscopy for high-throughput applications including video-rate atomic force microscopy and probe-based nanofabrication has sparked attention on the development of high-bandwidth flexure-guided nanopositioning systems (nanopositioners). Such nanopositioners are designed to move samples with sub-nanometer resolution with positioning bandwidth in the kilohertz range. State-of-the-art designs incorporate uniquely designed flexure mechanisms driven by compact and stiff piezoelectric actuators. This paper surveys key advances in mechanical design and control of dynamic effects and nonlinearities, in the context of high-speed nanopositioning. Future challenges and research topics are also discussed.

411 citations