Showing papers on "Machining published in 2002"

The use of the orthogonal array with grey relational analysis to optimize the electrical discharge machining process with multiple performance characteristics

Abstract: In this paper a new approach for the optimization of the electrical discharge machining (EDM) process with multiple performance characteristics based on the orthogonal array with the grey relational analysis has been studied. A grey relational grade obtained from the grey relational analysis is used to solve the EDM process with the multiple performance characteristics. Optimal machining parameters can then be determined by the grey relational grade as the performance index. In this study, the machining parameters, namely workpiece polarity, pulse on time, duty factor, open discharge voltage, discharge current, and dielectric fluid are optimized with considerations of multiple performance characteristics including material removal rate, surface roughness, and electrode wear ratio. Experimental results have shown that machining performance in the EDM process can be improved effectively through this approach.

Optimisation of the EDM process based on the orthogonal array with fuzzy logic and grey relational analysis method

Abstract: In this paper, the use of the grey relational analysis based on an orthogonal array and fuzzy-based Taguchi method for optimising the multi-response process is reported. Both the grey relational analysis method without using the S/N ratio and fuzzy logic analysis are used in an orthogonal array table in carrying out experiments for solving the multiple responses in the electrical discharge machining (EDM) process. Experimental results have shown that both approaches can optimise the machining parameters (pulse on time, duty factor, and discharge current) with considerations of the multiple responses (electrode wear ratio, material removal rate, and surface roughness) effectively. It seems that the grey relational analysis is more straightforward than the fuzzy-based Taguchi method for optimising the EDM process with multiple process responses.

A genetic algorithmic approach for optimization of surface roughness prediction model

Abstract: Due to the widespread use of highly automated machine tools in the industry, manufacturing requires reliable models and methods for the prediction of output performance of machining processes. The prediction of optimal machining conditions for good surface finish and dimensional accuracy plays a very important role in process planning. The present work deals with the study and development of a surface roughness prediction model for machining mild steel, using Response Surface Methodology (RSM). The experimentation was carried out with TiN-coated tungsten carbide (CNMG) cutting tools, for machining mild steel work-pieces covering a wide range of machining conditions. A second order mathematical model, in terms of machining parameters, was developed for surface roughness prediction using RSM. This model gives the factor effects of the individual process parameters. An attempt has also been made to optimize the surface roughness prediction model using Genetic Algorithms (GA) to optimize the objective function. The GA program gives minimum and maximum values of surface roughness and their respective optimal machining conditions.

Development of Empirical Models for Surface Roughness Prediction in Finish Turning

Abstract: Surface roughness plays an important role in product quality. This paper focuses on developing an empirical model for the prediction of surface roughness in finish turning. The model considers the following working parameters: workpiece hardness (material); feed; cutting tool point angle; depth of cut; spindle speed; and cutting time. One of the most important data mining techniques, nonlinear regression analysis with logarithmic data transformation, is applied in developing the empirical model. The values of surface roughness predicted by this model are then verified with extra experiments and compared with those from some of the representative models in the literature. Metal cutting experiments and statistical tests demonstrate that the model developed in this work produces smaller errors than those from some of the existing models and have a satisfactory goodness in both model construction and verification. Finally, further research directions are presented.

Investigations on hard turning with minimal cutting fluid application (HTMF) and its comparison with dry and wet turning

Abstract: Environmental concerns call for the reduced use of cutting fluids in metal cutting practice. New cutting techniques are to be investigated to achieve this objective. Hard turning with Minimal Fluid application (HTMF) is one such technique, which can alleviate the pollution problems associated with cutting fluids. In the present work a specially formulated cutting fluid was applied as a high velocity, thin pulsed jet at the immediate cutting zones at an extremely low rate of 2 ml/min using a fluid application system developed for this purpose during turning of hardened steel. The performance of HTMF is studied in comparison with that of conventional hard turning in wet and dry form.

Thermal stresses due to electrical discharge machining

Abstract: The high temperature gradients generated at the gap during electrical discharge machining (EDM) result in large localized thermal stresses in a small heat-affected zone. These thermal stresses can lead to micro-cracks, decrease in strength and fatigue life and possibly catastrophic failure. A finite element model has been developed to estimate the temperature field and thermal stresses due to Gaussian distributed heat flux of a spark during EDM. First, the developed code calculates the temperature in the workpiece and then the thermal stress field is estimated using this temperature field. The effects of various process variables (current and duty cycle) on temperature distribution and thermal stress distribution have been reported. The results of the analysis show high temperature gradient zones and the regions of large stresses where, sometimes, they exceed the material yield strength.

Figuring with subnanometer-level accuracy by numerically controlled elastic emission machining

Abstract: A numerically controlled elastic emission machining (EEM) system has been developed to fabricate ultraprecise optical components, particularly in x-ray optics. Nozzle-type EEM heads, by which a high shear-rate flow of ultrapure water can be generated on the work surface, have been newly proposed to transport the fine powder particles to the processing surface. Using this type of EEM head, the obtainable spatial resolution in figure correction can be changed by selecting the suitable aperture size of the nozzle according to the required spatial frequency. As a result of test figuring, 1 nm level peak-to-valley (p–v) accuracy is achieved throughout the entire spatial wavelength range longer than 0.3 mm. In addition, the microroughness of the processed surface is certified to also be approximately 1 nm (p–v).

Batch mode micro-electro-discharge machining

Abstract: This paper describes a micro-electro-discharge machining (micro-EDM) technique that uses electrode arrays to achieve high parallelism and throughput in the machining. It explores constraints in the fabrication and usage of high aspect ratio LIGA-fabricated electrode arrays, as well as the limits imposed by the pulse discharge circuits on machining rates. An array of 400 Cu electrodes with 20 /spl mu/m diameter was used to machine perforations in 50-/spl mu/m-thick stainless steel. To increase the spatial and temporal multiplicity of discharge pulses, arrays of electrodes with lithographically fabricated interconnect and block-wise independent pulse control resistance-capacitance (RC) circuits are used, resulting in >100/spl times/ improvement in throughput compared to single electrodes. However, it was found to compromise surface smoothness. A modified pulse generation scheme that exploits the parasitic capacitance of the interconnect offers similarly high machining rates and is more amenable to integration. Stainless steel workpieces of 100 /spl mu/m thickness were machined by 100 /spl mu/m/spl times/100 /spl mu/m square cross-section electrodes using in 85 s using an 80-V power supply. Surface smoothness was unaffected by electrode multiplicity. Using electrode arrays with four circuits, batch production of 36 WC-Co gears with 300 /spl mu/m outside diameter and 70 /spl mu/m thickness in 15 min is demonstrated.

From the basic mechanics of orthogonal metal cutting toward the identification of the constitutive equation

Abstract: This paper proposes a methodology to identify the material coefficients of constitutive equation within the practical range of stress, strain, strain rate, and temperature encountered in metal cutting. This methodology is based on analytical modeling of the orthogonal cutting process in conjunction with orthogonal cutting experiments. The basic mechanics governing the primary shear zone have been re-evaluated for continuous chip formation process. The stress, strain, strain rate and temperature fields have been theoretically derived leading to the expressions of the effective stress, strain, strain rate, and temperature on the main shear plane. Orthogonal cutting experiments with different cutting conditions provide an evaluation of theses physical quantities. Applying the least-square approximation techniques to the resulting values yields an estimation of the material coefficients of the constitutive equation. This methodology has been applied for different materials. The good agreement between the resulting models and those obtained using the compressive split Hopkinson bar (CSHB), where available, demonstrates the effectiveness of this methodology.

Prediction of tool and chip temperature in continuous and interrupted machining

Abstract: In this paper, a numerical model based on the finite difference method is presented to predict tool and chip temperature fields in continuous machining and time varying milling processes. Continuous or steady state machining operations like orthogonal cutting are studied by modeling the heat transfer between the tool and chip at the tool—rake face contact zone. The shear energy created in the primary zone, the friction energy produced at the rake face—chip contact zone and the heat balance between the moving chip and stationary tool are considered. The temperature distribution is solved using the finite difference method. Later, the model is extended to milling where the cutting is interrupted and the chip thickness varies with time. The time varying chip is digitized into small elements with differential cutter rotation angles which are defined by the product of spindle speed and discrete time intervals. The temperature field in each differential element is modeled as a first-order dynamic system, whose time constant is identified based on the thermal properties of the tool and work material, and the initial temperature at the previous chip segment. The transient temperature variation is evaluated by recursively solving the first order heat transfer problem at successive chip elements. The proposed model combines the steady-state temperature prediction in continuous machining with transient temperature evaluation in interrupted cutting operations where the chip and the process change in a discontinuous manner. The mathematical models and simulation results are in satisfactory agreement with experimental temperature measurements reported in the literature.

Stability Prediction for Low Radial Immersion Milling

Abstract: Traditional regenerative stability theory predicts a set of optimally stable spindle speeds at integer fractions of the natural frequency of the most flexible mode of the system. The assumptions of this theory become invalid for highly interrupted machining, where the ratio of time spent cutting to not cutting (denoted p) is small. This paper proposes a new stability theory for interrupted machining that predicts a doubling in the number of optimally stable speeds as the value of p becomes small. The results of the theory are supported by numerical simulation and experiment. It is anticipated that the theory will be relevant for choosing optimal machining parameters in high-speed peripheral milling operations where the radial depth of cut is only a small fraction of the tool diameter.

Five-axis milling machine tool kinematic chain design and analysis

Abstract: Five-axis CNC machining centers have become quite common today. The kinematics of most of the machines are based on a rectangular Cartesian coordinate system. This paper classifies the possible conceptual designs and actual existing implementations based on the theoretically possible combinations of the degrees of freedom. Some useful quantitative parameters, such as the workspace utilization factor, machine tool space efficiency, orientation space index and orientation angle index are defined. The advantages and disadvantages of each concept are analyzed. Criteria for selection and design of a machine configuration are given. New concepts based on the Stewart platform have been introduced recently in industry and are also briefly discussed.

A machining potential field approach to tool path generation for multi-axis sculptured surface machining

Abstract: This paper presents a machining potential field (MPF) method to generate tool paths for multi-axis sculptured surface machining. A machining potential field is constructed by considering both the part geometry and the cutter geometry to represent the machining-oriented information on the part surface for machining planning. The largest feasible machining strip width and the optimal cutting direction at a surface point can be found on the constructed machining potential field. The tool paths can be generated by following the optimal cutting direction. Compared to the traditional iso-parametric and iso-planar path generation methods, the generated MPF multi-axis tool paths can achieve better surface finish with shorter machining time. Feasible cutter sizes and cutter orientations can also be determined by using the MPF method. The developed techniques can be used to automate the multi-axis tool path generation and to improve the machining efficiency of sculptured surface machining.

Hybrid genetic algorithm and simulated annealing approach for the optimization of process plans for prismatic parts

Abstract: For a CAPP system in a dynamic workshop environment, the activities of selecting machining resources, determining set-up plans and sequencing machining operations should be considered simultaneously to achieve the global lowest machining cost. Optimizing process plans for a prismatic part usually suffer from complex technological requirements and geometric relationships between features in the part. Here, process planning is modelled as a combinatorial optimization problem with constraints, and a hybrid genetic algorithm (GA) and simulated annealing (SA) approach has been developed to solve it. The evaluation criterion of machining cost comes from the combined strengths of machine costs, cutting tool costs, machine changes, tool changes and set-ups. The GA is carried out in the first stage to generate some initially good process plans. Based on a few selective plans with Hamming distances between each other, the SA algorithm is employed to search for alternative optimal or near-optimal process plans. In t...

NC end milling optimization using evolutionary computation

Abstract: Typically, NC programmers generate tool paths for end milling using a computer-aided process planner but manually schedule “conservative” cutting conditions. In this paper, a new evolutionary computation technique, particle swarm optimization (PSO), is proposed and implemented to efficiently and robustly optimize multiple machining parameters simultaneously for the case of milling. An artificial neural networks (ANN) predictive model for critical process parameters is used to predict the cutting forces which in turn are used by the PSO developed algorithm to optimize the cutting conditions subject to a comprehensive set of constraints. Next, the algorithm is used to optimize both feed and speed for a typical case found in industry, namely, pocket-milling. Machining time reductions of up to 35% are observed. In addition, the new technique is found to be efficient and robust.

Cutting conditions for finish turning process aiming: the use of dry cutting

Abstract: To avoid the use of cutting fluids in machining operations is one goal that has been searched for by many people in industrial companies, due to ecological and human health problems caused by the cutting fluid. However, cutting fluids still provide a longer tool life for many machining operations. This is the case of the turning operation of steel using coated carbide inserts. Therefore, the objective of this work is to find cutting conditions more suitable for dry cutting, i.e., conditions which make tool life in dry cutting, closer to that obtained with cutting with fluid, without damaging the workpiece surface roughness and without increasing cutting power consumed by the process. To reach these goals several finish turning experiments were carried out, varying cutting speed, feed and tool nose radius, with and without the use of cutting fluid. The main conclusion of this work was that to remove the fluid from a finish turning process, without harming tool life and cutting time and improving surface roughness and power consumed, it is necessary to increase feed and tool nose radius and decrease cutting speed.

Micro scale laser shock processing of metallic components

Abstract: Laser shock processing of copper using focused laser beam size about ten microns is investigated for its feasibility and capability to impart desirable residual stress distributions into the target material in order to improve the fatigue life of the material. Shock pressure and strain/stress are properly modeled to reflect the micro scale involved, and the high strain rate and ultrahigh pressure involved. Numerical solutions of the model are experimentally validated in terms of the geometry of the shock-generated plastic deformation on target material surfaces as well as the average in-depth strains under various conditions. The residual stress distributions can be further influenced by shocking at different locations with certain spacing. The potential of applying the technique to micro components, such as micro gears fabricated using MEMS is demonstrated. The investigation also lays groundwork for possible combination of the micro scale laser shock processing with laser micromachining processes to offset the undesirable residual stress often induced by such machining processes.

Optimal machining parameters for achieving the desired surface roughness in fine turning of cold pre-formed steel workpieces

Abstract: Cutting parameters, workpiece material and cutting tool geometry and material all have an essential influence on the achievement of desired product quality at acceptable cost. The machining of prior cold-formed workpieces is a common production route that is economically attractive. This paper deals with the issue of optimising the turning of raw workpieces of low-carbon steel with low cold pre-deformation to achieve acceptable surface roughness. An attempt was made to minimise the number of experimental runs and increase the reliability of experimental results. Conclusions include a description of the machining parameters' influence and levels that provide sufficient robustness of the machining process towards the achievement of the desired surface roughness.

Constant scallop-height tool path generation for three-axis sculptured surface machining

Abstract: This paper presents a new approach for the determination of efficient tool paths in the machining of sculptured surfaces using 3-axis ball-end milling. The objective is to keep the scallop height constant across the machined surface such that redundant tool paths are minimized. Unlike most previous studies on constant scallop-height machining, the present work determines the tool paths without resorting to the approximated 2D representations of the 3D cutting geometry. Two offset surfaces of the design surface, the scallop surface and the tool center surface, are employed to successively establish scallop curves on the scallop surface and cutter location tool paths for the design surface. The effectiveness of the present approach is demonstrated through the machining of a typical sculptured surface. The results indicate that constant scallop-height machining achieves the specified machining accuracy with fewer and shorter tool paths than the existing tool path generation approaches.