PriMera Scientific Engineering (ISSN: 2834-2550)

Research Article

Volume 7 Issue 5

Low Current Discharge Machining for Micro-Dimples on Hip Implant

Mohd Azhar Che Abdullah, Azli Yahya*, Betantya Nugroho, Yahya Sinjab and Nor Lyana Safura

October 29, 2025

Abstract

The hip joint plays a vital role in enabling human daily mobility. One of the main issues that determines the longevity of Metal-on-metal (MoM) hip implants is wear rate. In order to improve lubrication and reducing friction, surface texturing has been widely adopted as a design alternative in implant manufacturing. Electrical Discharge Machining (EDM) with a low current discharge generated by the flyback power supply was employed in this research to machine the micro dimples on hip implant which offers high precision and eliminates burr formation on the surface. The low current discharge with optimize EDM parameters such as VOC, IGap, Ton and Toff, demonstrating a significant influence on performance measures including surface roughness (SR) as well as material removal rate which make it suitable for biomedical applications. Moreover, with steady discharge duration, all micro-dimples are nearly consistent and sharp with required size of diameter.

Keywords: EDM; implant; discharge

References

  1. A Sai Sathikumar., et al. “Acetabular cup positioning in primary routine total hip arthroplasty—a review of current concepts and technologies”. Arthroplasty 5.1 (2023): 59.
  2. H Fu., et al. “Experimental study and mechanism analysis of the influence of micro-dimple geometry on the adhesion strength of textured coatings”. Coatings (2024).
  3. Yahya A., et al. “Determination of material removal rate of an electro-discharge machine using dimensional analysis”. J. Phys. D. Appl. Phys 37 (2004): 1467-1471.
  4. F Yang., et al. “Predictive current control and current balance method for interleaved buck EDM pulse generator”. IEEE Transactions on Industrial Electronics 71.12 (2024).
  5. Odulio CMF., et al. “Energy saving Flyback Converter for EDM Applications”. IEEE Xplore (2005).
  6. Kartiko N., et al. “Development of Computer-Aided EDM for Machining Micropits on Spherical Surface of Hip Implant”. Appl. Mech. Mater 554 (2014): 541-545.