Font Size: 

The current trend is focused on the rapid deployment of highly sophisticated technical systems in the production process. These production systems are generally characterized by varying degrees of automation. At the same time, progressive technologies are an important part of these modern production systems. High production productivity and high achieved product quality is nowadays a matter of course. In addition to meeting the quality requirements for the finished product, the favourable economic efficiency of the entire production process is also an important criterion. However, as many of the modern production technologies are characterized by high energy consumption, this issue is highly topical. At the same time, in many cases it is true that their consumption is closely connected with the achieved quality of the machined surface. At current energy prices, it is therefore desirable to optimize their consumption in the context of the required quality of the machined area in terms of selected indicators. The aim of the paper is therefore to describe the results of experimental measurements performed in order to determine mathematical models with subsequent optimization of electricity consumption of the electrical discharge machine during machining. Unlike current approaches, the solution to the problem is based on determining the interrelationships between the energy intensity of an electric discharge machine and its controllable outputs in terms of the quality of the machined surface so that the results are applicable in real conditions of technical practice.