Design and tuning of a fuzzy logic controller for micro-hole electrical discharge machining

The design and tuning of a three-input fuzzy logic controller for electrical discharge machining (EDM) of diesel injector spray holes are presented. The tuning process is based on the variable type and discretization level to balance the data precision and computational time for servo motion updates in the fuzzy logic controller and is performed to improve the micro-hole EDM drilling time. The type and number of input parameters are studied to select the gap voltage, spark ratio, and change of spark ratio as input parameters for the fuzzy logic controller. A gain scheduling controller is used as the baseline and shows excellent drilling time in drilling a 1.14 mm thick workpiece using a 150 μm diameter wire electrode. The tuned fuzzy logic controller is comparable with the gain scheduling controller in drilling time and demonstrates its advantages on different EDM drilling configurations, including deep-hole and small-diameter micro-hole drilling. Analysis of EDM pulse trains reveals insights for controller design and identifies requirements for further improvement.