Journal of Mechanical Science and Technology 

About: Journal of Mechanical Science and Technology is an academic journal published by Springer Science+Business Media. The journal publishes majorly in the area(s): Engineering & Finite element method. It has an ISSN identifier of 1738-494X. Over the lifetime, 8677 publications have been published receiving 87510 citations.

Influence of discharge energy on machining characteristics in EDM

Abstract: The machining characteristics of electrical discharge machining (EDM) directly depend on the discharge energy which is transformed into thermal energy in the discharge zone. The generated heat leads to high temperature, resulting in local melting and evaporation of workpiece material. However, the high temperature also impacts various physical and chemical properties of the tool and workpiece. This is why extensive knowledge of development and transformation of electrical energy into heat is of key importance in EDM. Based on the previous investigations, analytical dependence was established between the discharge energy parameters and the heat source characteristics in this paper. In addition, the thermal properties of the discharged energy were experimentally investigated and their influence on material removal rate, gap distance, surface roughness and recast layer was established. The experiments were conducted using copper electrode while varying discharge current and pulse duration. Analysis and experimental research conducted in this paper allow efficient selection of relevant parameters of discharge energy for the selection of most favorable EDM machining conditions.

Topological design of heat dissipating structure with forced convective heat transfer

Abstract: This paper discusses the use of the topology optimization formulation for designing a heat dissipating structure that utilizes forced convective heat transfer. In addition to forced convection, there is also natural convection due to natural buoyancy forces induced by local heating inside fluid. In the present study, the temperature distribution due to forced convection, neglecting buoyancy and viscous dissipation inside fluid, was simulated and optimized. In order to analyze the heat transfer equation with forced convective heat loss and the Navier-Stokes equation, a common sequential computational procedure for this thermo/hydraulic characteristic was implemented. For topology optimization, four material properties were interpolated with respect to spatially defined density design variables: the inverse permeability in the Navier-Stokes equation, the conductivity, density, and the specific heat capacity of the heat transfer equation. From numerical examples, it was found that the balance between the conduction and convection of fluid is of central importance to the design of heat dissipating structures.

Optimization of EDM process for multiple performance characteristics using Taguchi method and Grey relational analysis

Abstract: Electrical discharge machining (EDM) is one of the most extensively used non-conventional material removal processes. The Taguchi method has been utilized to determine the optimal EDM conditions in several industrial fields. The method, however, was designed to optimize only a single performance characteristic. To remove that limitation, the Grey relational analysis theory has been used to resolve the complicated interrelationships among the multiple performance characteristics. In the present study, we attempted to find the optimal machining conditions under which the micro-hole can be formed to a minimum diameter and a maximum aspect ratio. The Taguchi method was used to determine the relations between machining parameters and process characteristics. It was found that electrode wear and the entrance and exit clearances had a significant effect on the diameter of the micro-hole when the diameter of the electrode was identical. Grey relational analysis was used to determine the optimal machining parameters, among which the input voltage and the capacitance were found to be the most significant. The obtained optimal machining conditions were an input voltage of 60V, a capacitance of 680pF, a resistance of 500Ω, the feed rate of 1.5μm/s and a spindle speed of 1500rpm. Under these conditions, a micro-hole of 40μm average diameter and 10 aspect ratio could be machined.

From 3D to 4D printing: approaches and typical applications

Abstract: With the additional dimension, 4D printing is emerging as a novel technique to enable configuration switching in 3D printed items. In this paper, four major approaches, namely self-assembly of elements, deformation mismatch, bi-stability, and the Shape memory effect (SME), are identified as the generic approaches to achieve 4D printing. The main features of these approaches are briefly discussed. Utilizing these approaches either individually or in a combined manner, the potential of 4D printing to reshape product design is demonstrated by a few example applications.

Buckling analysis of laminated composite rectangular plates reinforced by SWCNTs using analytical and finite element methods

Abstract: In this paper, the buckling analysis of laminated composite plates reinforced by single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) is carried out using an analytical approach as well as the finite element method. The developed model is based on the classical laminated plate theory (CLPT) and the third-order shear deformation theory for moderately thick laminated plates. The critical buckling loads for the symmetrical layup are determined for different support edges. The Mori-Tanaka method is employed to calculate the effective elastic modulus of composites having aligned oriented straight nanotubes. The effect of the agglomeration of the randomly oriented straight nanotubes on the critical buckling load is also analyzed. The results of analytical solution are compared and verified with the FEM calculations The critical buckling loads obtained by the finite element and the analytical methods for different layup and boundary conditions are in good agreement with each other. In this article, the effects of the carbon nanotubes (CNTs) orientation angle, the edge conditions, and the aspect ratio on the critical buckling load are also demonstrated using both the analytical and finite element methods.