Part Repair using a Hybrid Manufacturing System

Nowadays, part repair technology is gaining more interest from military and industries due to the benefit of cost reducing as well as time and energy saving. Traditionally, part repair is done in the repair department using welding process. The limitations of the traditional welding process are becoming more and more noticeable when the accuracy and reliability are required. Part repair process has been developed utilizing a hybrid manufacturing system, in which the laser aided deposition and CNC cutting processes are integrated. Part repair software is developed in order to facilitate the users. The system and the software elevate the repair process to the next level, in which the accuracy, reliability, and efficiency can be achieved. The concept of repair process is presented in this paper. Verification and experimental results are also discussed.Mechanical Engineerin

Interfacial fracture energy (bonding strength) of laser deposited H13 tool steel on H13 tool steel substrate using four point bend test

This paper concentrates on the interfacial fracture energy or bond strength of laser deposited HI3 tool steel cladding/substrate system. For this four point bend test based on linear elastic fracture mechanics (LFEM) was carried out. Strain energy release rate, Gss which is closely related to bond strength of the interfacial region and the stress intensity factor, Kc were computed for this particular cladding/substrate system. In order to study the propagation of cracks during de-lamination of clad layer from substrate, optical and SEM graphs of the samples were taken. For laser clad HI3 tool steel clad/substrate system the fracture energy release rate, Gss and the stress intensity factor or fracture toughness, Kc of interface found to be 1.37*E+04 J/m2 and 39.8 MPam1/2 respectively. Such a high value of fracture energy obtained in the present study is an indicative of a strong cladding/substrate interface. Fracture energy or bonding strength for the laser cladded system is compared with similar weld cladded structures, to substantiate the advantage of laser cladding process in part repairing technology --Abstract, page iv

Integrated Micro-Nano Level Interdisciplinary Manufacturing Engineering Education for Mems Development

MEMS or Micro Electro-Mechanical Systems are miniaturized mechanical, electrical, and biological devices and systems with a dimensional range within a few micrometers. They represent a novel multidisciplinary technology field with unlimited potential for a wide variety of markets including automobiles, health care, telecommunication, information technology, medicine, defense and space. The current level of development of MEMS is comparable to what the Integrated Circuit or the IC industry achieved three decades ago. Future innovations and advancement are critically dependent on the integration of knowledge from different engineering and science disciplines. Creating and sustaining a work force having requisite interdisciplinary knowledge and skills in engineering, science and micro-fabrication is a major challenge faced by the academic community. The objective of this paper is to summarize the emerging need for incorporating a MEMS based micro-nano level interdisciplinary manufacturing engineering curriculum. The current level of MEMS based education available within various U.S. universities is also analyzed

An investigation to evaluate the analgesic and central nervous system depressant activities of Solanum nigrum (Linn.) in Homoeopathic potencies in experimental animal models

Background and Objective: In Homoeopathy, Solanum nigrum is clinically used in the treatment of ergotism, meningitis, irritation during dentition and some of the symptoms of neurological disorders but its Central Nervous System (CNS) potential has not been explored experimentally yet. Therefore, a preliminary study was conducted with an objective to evaluate the analgesic and CNS depressant effects of homoeopathic potencies of S. nigrum in experimental animal models. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted in Wistar albino rats using a hot plate, ice plate and Randall-Selitto assay for analgesic; rota-rod and open field test for CNS depressant activities. The different potencies (3X, 6X, 12X and 30C) of Solanum nigrum were administered orally (0.5 ml/rat/day) for 30 days and response was assessed after 30 minutes of drug administration on 10 th , 20 th and 30 th day. Results: The result shows that all the four potencies of Solanum nigrum has increased the latency time required to raise and lick the paws for thermal sensation on hot plate test and for cold sensation on ice plate test and also increased the degree of threshold pressure to mechanically induced pain on Randall-Selitto assay but depressed the motor coordination and locomotor activities. Conclusion: The result obtained from this preliminary study suggests that homoeopathic preparation of Solanum nigrum in different potencies possess analgesic and CNS depressant activities. Further detailed investigations are required for its possible human use

Homoeopathic Genus Epidemicus ′Bryonia alba′ as a prophylactic during an outbreak of Chikungunya in India: A cluster -randomised, double -blind, placebo- controlled trial

Objective: The objective was to assess the usefulness of homoeopathic genus epidemicus (Bryonia alba 30C) for the prevention of chikungunya during its epidemic outbreak in the state of Kerala, India. Materials and Methods: A cluster- randomised, double- blind, placebo -controlled trial was conducted in Kerala for prevention of chikungunya during the epidemic outbreak in August-September 2007 in three panchayats of two districts. Bryonia alba 30C/placebo was randomly administered to 167 clusters (Bryonia alba 30C = 84 clusters; placebo = 83 clusters) out of which data of 158 clusters was analyzed (Bryonia alba 30C = 82 clusters; placebo = 76 clusters) . Healthy participants (absence of fever and arthralgia) were eligible for the study (Bryonia alba 30 C n = 19750; placebo n = 18479). Weekly follow-up was done for 35 days. Infection rate in the study groups was analysed and compared by use of cluster analysis. Results: The findings showed that 2525 out of 19750 persons of Bryonia alba 30 C group suffered from chikungunya, compared to 2919 out of 18479 in placebo group. Cluster analysis showed significant difference between the two groups [rate ratio = 0.76 (95% CI 0.14 - 5.57), P value = 0.03]. The result reflects a 19.76% relative risk reduction by Bryonia alba 30C as compared to placebo. Conclusion: Bryonia alba 30C as genus epidemicus was better than placebo in decreasing the incidence of chikungunya in Kerala. The efficacy of genus epidemicus needs to be replicated in different epidemic settings