Fiber optic data bus using Frequency Division Multiplexing (FDM) and an asymmetric coupler

A fiber optic data bus, using frequency division multiplexing (FDM) is discussed. The use of FDM is motivated by the need to avoid central control of the bus operation. A major difficulty of such a data bus is introduced by the couplers. An efficient low loss access coupler with an asymmetric structure is presented, and manufacturing processes for the coupler are proposed

Complementary Machining: Effect of tool types on tool wear and surface integrity of AISI 4140

Complementary Machining is a process strategy for the time-efficient mechanical surface treatment of metallic workpieces. The characteristic of Complementary Machining is that after machining, a mechanical surface treatment is carried out using the cutting tool. The cutting tool moves over the workpiece surface in opposite direction to the machining process and induces an elastic-plastic deformation in the surface layer. Previous investigations have shown the possibility to achieve life-enhancing surface layer states in turning of AISI 4140 with Complementary Machining and to achieve fatigue strengths comparable to those after shot peening. In this paper, the influence of the tool types and process parameters, such as the feed rate, on the resulting topography and the tool wear, represented by changes of cutting edge microgeometry, during Complementary Machining of AISI 4140 are investigated based on the previous investigations. In addition to different substrates of the cutting insert, the focus of the investigations is also on the influence of tool coating. Both the tool wear and the resulting topography were analyzed tactilely and correlated with the process parameters. The results show a clear influence of the used substrate of the cutting insert and coating on the tool wear and the resulting topography

Significance of Nano- and Microtopography for Cell-Surface Interactions in Orthopaedic Implants

Cell-surface interactions play a crucial role for biomaterial application in orthopaedics. It is evident that not only the chemical composition of solid substances influence cellular adherence, migration, proliferation and differentiation but also the surface topography of a biomaterial. The progressive application of nanostructured surfaces in medicine has gained increasing interest to improve the cytocompatibility and osteointegration of orthopaedic implants. Therefore, the understanding of cell-surface interactions is of major interest for these substances. In this review, we elucidate the principle mechanisms of nano- and microscale cell-surface interactions in vitro for different cell types onto typical orthopaedic biomaterials such as titanium (Ti), cobalt-chrome-molybdenum (CoCrMo) alloys, stainless steel (SS), as well as synthetic polymers (UHMWPE, XLPE, PEEK, PLLA). In addition, effects of nano- and microscaled particles and their significance in orthopaedics were reviewed. The significance for the cytocompatibility of nanobiomaterials is discussed critically

MIRNA-DISTILLER: A Stand-Alone Application to Compile microRNA Data from Databases

MicroRNAs (miRNA) are small non-coding RNA molecules of ∼22 nucleotides which regulate large numbers of genes by binding to seed sequences at the 3′-untranslated region of target gene transcripts. The target mRNA is then usually degraded or translation is inhibited, although thus resulting in posttranscriptional down regulation of gene expression at the mRNA and/or protein level. Due to the bioinformatic difficulties in predicting functional miRNA binding sites, several publically available databases have been developed that predict miRNA binding sites based on different algorithms. The parallel use of different databases is currently indispensable, but highly uncomfortable and time consuming, especially when working with numerous genes of interest. We have therefore developed a new stand-alone program, termed MIRNA-DISTILLER, which allows to compile miRNA data for given target genes from public databases. Currently implemented are TargetScan, microCosm, and miRDB, which may be queried independently, pairwise, or together to calculate the respective intersections. Data are stored locally for application of further analysis tools including freely definable biological parameter filters, customized output-lists for both miRNAs and target genes, and various graphical facilities. The software, a data example file and a tutorial are freely available at http://www.ikp-stuttgart.de/content/language1/html/10415.as

Influence of anisotropy of additively manufactured AlSi10Mg parts on chip formation during orthogonal cutting

Anisotropic behavior of metals can influence manufacturing processes including acting thermo-mechanical loads and resulting surface layer states. In additive manufacturing, the build-up direction influences material states like microstructure, density distribution and stress fields, possibly leading to anisotropic behavior. In this work, additively manufactured AlSi10Mg is characterized in tension tests in order to determine the anisotropic material deformation behavior due to the build-up procedure. This was implemented in 2D cutting simulations using finite element method. Additionally, orthogonal cutting experiments were performed in order to determine process forces and chip formation, which finally were used in order to validate simulations

Milling parameter and tool wear dependent surface quality in micro-milling of brass

Short life-time and high tool costs still remain major constraints for the micro-milling process. Understanding the wear mechanisms and their effects on the workpiece quality is essential for efficient tool usage. Usually, wear increases the cutting forces and reduces the emerging surface quality during the micro-milling process. Due to high tool costs, cutting parameters are usually chosen for optimal tool lifetime and/or process time rather than optimal surface quality. The scope of this paper is to investigate the correlation of the process parameters, strategy and wear status of the tool on the resulting surface topography. To reach this goal, micro-milling experiments were conducted, in which several grooves were milled using two end milling tools, new and worn, with a diameter of 1.5 mm and four cutting edges. The cutting speed and feed were varied, as well as the cutting direction. Brass was chosen as workpiece material to ensure a constant wear state of the tools during the experiments. During the cutting process the process forces were recorded and examined for their magnitude and frequency response. Furthermore, the grooves were analyzed optically for their surface roughness. The roughness shows in most cases slightly higher values for the specimen manufactured with the worn tool than the ones done with the new tool. The biggest influence on the surface roughness results from the feed rate, while cutting speed and milling strategy have a smaller influence. The measured cutting forces show similar tendencies, than the resulting surface roughness. The results show also a significant influence of tool wear on the vibration behavior during the process, while the influence of feed rate is mostly negligible. This results partly from the greater tool runout and bigger deviation of the cutting edges

Numerical modelling of cutting forces in gear skiving

Gear skiving is a high-performance machining process for gear manufacturing. Due to its complex kinematics, the local cutting conditions vary during tool engagement. Particularly, the local rake angle can reach highly negative values, which have a significant effect on the cutting force. In this paper, the Kienzle force model with additional coefficients was implemented in a numerical model to calculate local cutting forces considering the influence of local rake angle. The experimental validation based on total cutting forces shows good results and indicates an increase of model accuracy for a wide parameter range by considering the rake angle variation