ABSTRACT

Machining by thermal erosion involves the application of very intensive local heat to remove the material by the melting and evaporation of small areas at the workpiece surface. These processes include electrodischarge machining (EDM), laser beam machining (LBM), electron beam machining (EBM), ion beam machining (IBM), and plasma jet machining (PJM). Figure 12.1 shows the main factors related to tool, workpiece, and parameters that control the characteristics of the thermal machining processes.