Philip Bleys

Bio: Philip Bleys is an academic researcher from Katholieke Universiteit Leuven. The author has contributed to research in topics: Electrical discharge machining & Measurement uncertainty. The author has an hindex of 15, co-authored 25 publications receiving 1570 citations.

State of the art electrical discharge machining (EDM)

Abstract: Electrical discharge machining (EDM) is a well-established machining option for manufacturing geometrically complex or hard material parts that are extremely difficult-to-machine by conventional machining processes. The non-contact machining technique has been continuously evolving from a mere tool and die making process to a micro-scale application machining alternative attracting a significant amount of research interests. In recent years, EDM researchers have explored a number of ways to improve the sparking efficiency including some unique experimental concepts that depart from the EDM traditional sparking phenomenon. Despite a range of different approaches, this new research shares the same objectives of achieving more efficient metal removal coupled with a reduction in tool wear and improved surface quality. This paper reviews the research work carried out from the inception to the development of die-sinking EDM within the past decade. It reports on the EDM research relating to improving performance measures, optimising the process variables, monitoring and control the sparking process, simplifying the electrode design and manufacture. A range of EDM applications are highlighted together with the development of hybrid machining processes. The final part of the paper discusses these developments and outlines the trends for future EDM research.

Residual stresses in selective laser sintering and selective laser melting

Abstract: Purpose – This paper presents an investigation into residual stresses in selective laser sintering (SLS) and selective laser melting (SLM), aiming at a better understanding of this phenomenon.Design/methodology/approach – First, the origin of residual stresses is explored and a simple theoretical model is developed to predict residual stress distributions. Next, experimental methods are used to measure the residual stress profiles in a set of test samples produced with different process parameters.Findings – Residual stresses are found to be very large in SLM parts. In general, the residual stress profile consists of two zones of large tensile stresses at the top and bottom of the part, and a large zone of intermediate compressive stress in between. The most important parameters determining the magnitude and shape of the residual stress profiles are the material properties, the sample and substrate height, the laser scanning strategy and the heating conditions.Research limitations/implications – All exper...