Comparison and analysis of audible sound energy emissions during single point machining of HSTS with PVD TiCN cutter insert across full tool life

In precision engineering, tool wear affects the dimensional accuracy and surface finish of machined components. Currently, errors associated with tool wear remain uncompensated for and are usually only detected at the end of the machine cycle, by which time the product may be scrap. If real-time, accurate monitoring were available, machine parameters could be adjusted to compensate for tool wear thereby minimising waste. Experienced machinists in the corresponding author׳s organisation, a precision engineering CNC machining manufacturing organisation, have been able to detect a poorly performing cutting operation through the sound emitted from the machining centre during the various phases of the cutting cycle and, although not a precise science, appear capable of informally differentiating between a good process and a degraded one. In this article experimental work was undertaken on a single point machining operation whereby the sound energy emissions from the machine were logged and analysed for the full life of the tools. The experiments demonstrated consistent acoustic signatures, which are specific to the tool in a known good cutting state, and distinct, but also consistent sound energy signatures, in a known bad cutting state. The experimental measurements replicated the audible range of human hearing and sought to determine what encouraged experienced machinists to declare a machining process to be in a state of degradation. The experimentation was undertaken at Schivo Precision, Waterford, Ireland

Asian Americans and prostate cancer: A nationwide population-based analysis

It remains largely unknown if there are racial disparities in outcomes of prostate cancer (PCa) for Asian American and Pacific Islanders (PIs) (AAPIs). We examined differences in diagnosis, management, and survival of AAPI ethnic groups, relative to their non-Hispanic White (NHW) counterparts. Patients (n = 891,100) with PCa diagnosed between 1988 and 2010 within the surveillance, epidemiology, and end results database were extracted and stratified by ethnic group: Chinese, Japanese, Filipino, Hawaiian, Korean, Vietnamese, Asian Indian/Pakistani, PI, and Other Asian. The effect of ethnic group on stage at presentation, rates of definitive treatment, and PCa-specific mortality was assessed. The severity at diagnosis was defined as: localized (TxN0M0), regional (TxN1M0), or metastatic (TxNxM1). Relative to NHWs, Asian Indian/Pakistani, Filipino, Hawaiian, and PI men had significantly worse outcomes. Filipino (odds ratio [OR] = 1.38, 95% CI: 1.27–1.51), Hawaiian, (OR = 1.70, 95% CI: 1.41–2.04), Asian Indian/Pakistani (OR = 1.37, 95% CI: 1.15–1.64), and PI men (OR = 1.90, 95% CI: 1.46–2.49) were more likely to present with metastatic PCa (P<0.001). In patients with localized PCa, Filipino men were less likely to receive definitive treatment (OR = 0.91; 95% CI: 0.84–0.97; P = 0.005). Most AAPI groups had lower rates of PCa death except for Hawaiian (hazard ratio = 1.52; 95% CI: 1.30–1.77; P<0.0001) and PI men (hazard ratio = 1.43; 95% CI: 1.12–1.82; P<0.0001). Compared with NHWs, AAPI groups were more likely to present with advanced PCa but had better cancer-specific survival. Conversely, Hawaiian and PI men were at greater risk for PCa-specific mortality. Given the different cancer profiles, our results show that there is a need for disaggregation of AAPI data. •SEER data between 1988 and 2010 from patients with prostate cancer were extracted and stratified by ethic groups.•Most Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders groups had lower rates of prostate cancer death except for Hawaiian and Pacific Islanders.•Compared with non-Hispanic Whites, Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders were more likely to present advanced prostate cancer.•These groups showed a better cancer-specific survival