Experimental investigation on WEDG machining parameters for tungsten carbide

This research evaluates the performance of machining tungsten carbide utilizing the wire electric discharge grinding (WEDG) technique. A central composite design based on response surface methodology (RSM) was employed to analyze how various WEDG machining parameters affect the outcome responses material removal rate (MRR), and surface finish (SR). The novelty of this research lies in utilizing the hybrid micromachining WEDG process to machine tungsten carbide rods and in applying the preference-based TLBO method with different weight combinations to obtain optimal solutions. Multiple optimal solutions were derived, enabling decision-makers to select machining parameters that balance SR and MRR. For equal weightage, optimal values of MRR and SR were found to be 5.2647 mm3/min and 2.4541 mu m, respectively, at SS = 480.741 rpm, I = 4.4313 A, Toff = 1.297 mu s, and Wf = 5.7502 m/min. The TLBO algorithm demonstrated high efficiency and accuracy, with confirmation experiments yielding satisfactory results.