An experimental study for optimization of electrical discharge turning (EDT) process

The paper presents the application of the Taguchi robust design methods to optimize the precision and accuracy of the electrical discharge machining process (EDM) for machining of precise cylindrical forms on hard and difficult-to-machine materials. The present study has been carried out on the influence of six design factors: intensity supplied by the generator of the EDM machine (I), pulse-on time (ti), voltage (V), pulse-off time (to), servo (VG), and rotational speed (C) which are the most relevant parameters to be controlled by the EDM process machinists, over material removal rate (MRR) as an indicator of the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of the process. The study of behaviour of the mentioned response has done by means of the technique called design of experiments (DOE). In this case, an L18 (21 × 37) Taguchi standard orthogonal array was chosen due to the number of factors and their levels in the study

The effect of alkaline treatment on tensile properties of sugar palm fibre reinforced epoxy composites

A study on the effect of alkaline treatment on tensile properties of sugar palm fibre reinforced epoxy composites is presented in this paper. The treatment was carried out using sodium hydroxide (NaOH) solutions at two different concentrations and three different soaking times. The hydrophilic nature of sugar palm fibre makes it difficult to adhere to hydrophobic epoxy and therefore posed the problem of interfacial bonding between fibre and matrix and such treatment was needed to alleviate such problem. The composite specimens were tested for tensile property determination. Some fractured specimens were examined under scanning electron microscope (SEM) to study the microstructure of the materials. Inconsistent results were obtained for tensile strengths, which indicate that the treatment is not very effective yet to improve the interfacial bonding. However, for tensile modulus, the results are much higher than untreated fibre composite specimens, which proved the effectiveness of the treatment

Computational simulation of frontal impact of motorcycle telescopic fork

This paper presents modelling aspects of a high fidelity finite element model of a motorcycle telescopic fork. For validation purpose, a series of impact tests of which a frontal impact load imposed on the individual fork by a rigid striker was conducted using factorial experiment approach. The model was then used to simulate all the impacts accordingly. The outcomes were evaluated in terms of permanent deformations of the fork, energy dissipated in the impact, and the velocity and displacement time histories of the striker. The overall performance and sensitivity of the model was also assessed using the factorial analysis. The deviations of time histories data were quantified by mean error, mean absolute error and root mean square error. The key responses of the fork were found to be successfully simulated and compared well to the test results. The computed largest value among the respective metrics over the total errors was 6.2% of which corresponding to the root mean square error of the displacement time histories data, whereas others were less than 3%. It is thus concluded that the fork model has been successfully validated and the modelling methods has been established. Recommendations for improvements were also given in the paper

Flexural properties of alkaline treated sugar palm fibre reinforced epoxy composites

A study of the effect of alkaline treatment on the flexural properties of sugar palm fibre reinforced epoxy composites is presented in this paper. The composites were reinforced with 10% weight fraction of the fibres. The fibres were treated using sodium hydroxide (NaOH) with 0.25 M and 0.5 M concentration solution for 1 hour, 4 hours and 8 hours soaking time. The purpose of treating fibres with alkali was to enhance the interfacial bonding between matrix and fibre surfaces. The maximum flexural strength occurred at 0.25 M NaOH solution with 1 hour of soaking time, i.e 96.71 MPa, improving by 24.41% from untreated fibre composite. But, the maximum flexural modulus took place at 0.5 M NaOH solution with 4 hours soaking time, i.e. 6948 MPa, improving by 148% from untreated composite

Development and verification of a 9-DOF armored vehicle model in the lateral and longitudinal directions

This manuscript presents the development of an armored vehicle model in lateral and longitudinal directions. A Nine Degree of Freedom (9-DOF) armored vehicle model was derived mathematically and integrated with an analytical tire dynamics known as Pacejka Magic Tire model. The armored vehicle model is developed using three main inputs of a vehicle system which are Pitman arm steering system, Powertrain system and also hydraulic assisted brake system. Several testings in lateral and longitudinal direction are performed such as double lane change, slalom, step steer and sudden acceleration and sudden braking to verify the vehicle model. The armored vehicle model is verified using validated software, CarSim, using HMMWV vehicle model as a benchmark. The verification responses show that the developed armored vehicle model can be used for both lateral and longitudinal direction analysis

Review of kenaf fiber reinforced polymer composites

General characteristics of kenaf fibers and mechanical properties of its polymer composites (dependently on the environmental conditions) as well as applications directions of such materials have been presented

Employees' Reactions and Factors in the Implementation of ISO 9000 in Manufacturing Companies

ISO 9000 has taken a size able portion of the global industry, especially in the manufacturing industry by storm since its inception in 1987. Many problems associated with ISO 9000 implementation emanated from the reliance of belief or faith while neglecting the direct relationship to employee's roles and responsibilities. This study explores and discusses issues in the implementation of ISO 9000 at the employees' level. The issues encompass employees' reaction towards ISO 9000 and general employee factors in the implementation of ISO 9000. The issues were gathered from existing literature and verified by local manufacturing companies via questionnaires. The questionnaire response rate was 38.8% or 50 responses out of the 129 questionnaires sent. The results from the findings indicated the important employee issues in the successful implementation of ISO 9000 are commitment, teamwork, training and involvement, amongst others. It is believed this study will further enhance understanding and place importance in the issues concerning employees of a company implementing ISO 9000

Combined effects of water absorption due to water immersion, soil buried and natural weather on mechanical properties of kenaf fibre unsaturated polyester composites (KFUPC)

Kenaf Fibre reinforced composites have been gaining wide use in the variety of applications. The performance of these composites may suffer when the material is exposed to adverse environments for long periods of time. Kenaf fibre unsaturated polyester composites (KFUPC) were subjected to three environmental tests: water immersion, soil buried and natural weather tests, in order to study the effect of water/relative humidity absorption on the mechanical properties of specimens containing 10, 20 and 30% by weight of fibre content. Tensile strength and modulus of the composites were determined. A decrease in tensile properties of the composites was demonstrated, showing a great loss in mechanical properties of the humid samples compared to the dry samples. The percentage of moisture uptake increased as the weight percentage of fibre is increased due to the high cellulose content. The water absorption pattern of these composites was found to follow Fickian behavior

Water absorption behaviour of kenaf reinforced unsaturated polyester composites and its influence on their mechanical properties

Fibre reinforced composites have gained use in a variety of applications. The performances of these composites may suffer when the material is exposed to adverse environments for a long period of time. Kenaf fibre reinforced unsaturated polyester composites were subjected to water immersion tests in order to study the effects of water absorption on the mechanical properties. Composites specimens containing (10%, 20%, and 30%) weight percentages of fibre were prepared. Water absorption tests were conducted by immersing these specimens in a distilled water bath at 25°C for four months. The tensile properties of the specimens immersed in water were evaluated and compared with the dry composite specimens. A decrease in the tensile properties of the composites was demonstrated, indicating a great loss in the mechanical properties of the water-saturated samples compared to the dry samples. The percentage of moisture uptake was also increased as the percentage of the fibre weight increased due to the high cellulose content. The water absorption pattern of these composites was found to follow the Fickian behaviour

The effects of weathering on mechanical properties of kenaf unsaturated polyester composites (KFUPC).

Kenaf Fibre reinforced composites have been gaining wide use in the variety of applications. The performance of these composit es may suffer when the material is exposed to adverse environments for long periods of time. Kenaf fibre unsaturated polyester composites (KFUPC) were subjected to three environmental tests: water immersion, soil buried and natural weather tests, in order to study the effect of water/relative humidity absorption on the mechanical properties of specimens containing 10, 20 and 30% by weight of fibre content. Tensile strength and modulus of the composites were determined. A decrease in tensile properties of the composites was demonstrated, showing a great loss in mechanical properties of the humid samples compared to the dry samples. The percentage of moisture uptake increased as the weight percentage of fibre is increased due to the high cellulose content. The water absorption pattern of these composites was found to follow Fickian behavior