A new method of investigating crater and flash made by individual discharge using scanning profilometers

Discharge traces are a kind of 'fingerprint' left by spark discharge and its analysis makes it possible to identify many discharge features and forecasting technological indices of the EDM process. The paper deals with a new method of investigating traces made by individual discharge using scanning profilometer (SP) and scanning electron microscope. Surface microstructure is assessed using the SEM while dimensions and volumes of individual craters are determined based on scanning profilometer. The paper includes description of research methodology and examples of the test results for discharges generated during electro-discharge machining (EDM) and electro-discharge alloying (EDA).