The main objective of this research is to show the influence of EDM parameters such as current intensity and depth of penetration on both the surface finish and process productivity, in order to deduce technical guidelines for selection of the optimum process conditions. A series of experimental tests about electro-discharge machining of AISI 316 stainless steel using copper electrodes were carried out. The surface roughness parameters were registered, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was applied to analyze the surface integrity, as well as the migration of electrode material elements to machined surface. The process productivity and surface finish were studied as a function of the current intensity employed during material removal and the overall depth of penetration on the workpiece material. It was proved that both current intensity and depth of penetration present a high influence on the surface integrity and production time during EDM of this stainless steel

This study analyses the relationships between the technologies of Industry 4.0, continuous improvement, and the business results. To carry out this study, 109 questionnaires to companies of different sectors were collected, but an indispensable condition to take into account was the fact that these companies develop themselves their logistics management. The analysis of the results obtained through the Partial Least Squares (PLS) methodology argues that there is a positive relationship between 4.0 Industry and continuous improvement processes, as well as between continuous improvement processes and organizational results, although it cannot be concluded that a direct relationship between 4.0 Industry and organizational results exists, which means that there are other variables, such as continuous improvement, mediating between them. With this work, there is already an accredited reference of the relationship, which has been verified to exist, between the Industry 4.0, the continuous improvement, and the business results.