168 research outputs found
Evaluation of superalloy heavy-duty grinding based on multivariate tests
The quality and economy of grinding depend on proper selection of grinding conditions for the materials to be ground. In order to evaluate the effect of heavy-duty grinding, a new performance index, which includes specific material removal rate, size accuracy, and grinding forces, was proposed. Robust design of experiment, including orthogonal arrays, the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) method, and analysis of variance (ANOVA) for multivariate data, was employed to estimate the effect of uniform experimental design and to optimize grinding parameters. Empirical models of grinding force were investigated for finite element analysis of new fixture design. These empirical models, based on robust design of experiments and multiple regression methodology, have been confirmed through further verification experiments. Correlation coefficients from 0.87 to 0.96 were achieved
Feature validation in a feature-based design system
The Loughborough University of Technology Feature-Based Design System (LUTFBDS)
allows detail design to be carried out in a computer aided design (CAD)
environment by the addition of form features to stock material or part-machined
components. An iconic user interface assists in the description parts in terms of a set
of primitive features such as holes, pockets and slots or higher level compound
features such as patterns of holes and counterbored holes. This feature representation
is generated in parallel with the geometric data structure of the underlying boundary
representation solid modeller. The feature representation is useful for a range of
downstream manufacturing activities, but our research focusses on the integration of
CAD with process planning. LUT-FBDS functions allows the designer or manufacturing
engineer to progressively construct the final geometry of a part, and facilities are
provided for the designer to modify parameters which relate to feature dimensions,
location, orientation and relationships with other features. These changes may result in
changes to the feature representation and hence there is a need for feature validation
to ensure the integrity of the model
Component grouping for cell formation using resource elements
The work reported in this paper recognises that the traditional close association between components and a fixed route utilising a set of machine tools can no longer be relied upon as an appropriate basis for deciding component similarity and partitioning components into families in modern manufacturing applications. A new methodology for describing the capabilities of machine tools and machining facilities using generic capability units termed 'resource elements' is reported. REs are used to capture the processing requirements of components, assessing their similarity and a fuzzy grouping procedure is used for simultaneously grouping components and machine tools for cellular manufacturing applications. The reported results show that the use of resource elements leads to component groups that are more compact with better matching between processing requirements of components and the capabilities of the machine tools selected for their processing compared with the conventional machine-based approach
Component grouping for GT applications - a fuzzy clustering approach with validity measure
The variety of the currently available component grouping methodologies and
algorithms provide a good theoretical basis for implementing GT principles in
cellular manufacturing environments. However, the practical application of the
grouping approaches can be further enhanced through extensions to the widely used
grouping algorithms and the development of criteria for partitioning components
into an 'optimum' number of groups. Extensions to the fuzzy clustering algorithm
and a definition of a new validity measure are proposed in this paper. These
are aimed at improving the practical applicability of the fuzzy clustering
approach for family formation in cellular manufacturing environments. Component
partitioning is based upon assessing the compactness of components within a group
and overlapping between the component groups. The developed grouping
methodology is experimentally demonstrated using an industrial case study and
several well known component grouping examples from the published literature
Process capability models for equipment selection
Due to the increased complexity of modern manufacturing facilities
and the increased demands for product variability and system flexibility there is
a need for coherent formal representation of the basic knowledge domains
supporting manufacturing applications such as equipment selection. The paper
presents integrated framework for equipment selection based upon
describing process capability at generic, machine tool and manufacturing
system levels. The decision making process is designed as a sequence of steps
for transforming component design information into processing requirements
which are mapped into specific physical machines organised as
a processing system
Geometric elements for tolerance definition in feature-based product models
Product modelling is an essential part of all computerised design and
manufacturing activities. A precise mathematical model of the geometry of
products is important, but must be supplemented with technological information
such as the material, mechanical properties, functional specifications and
tolerances. Modern CAD systems can model and manipulate components with
complex geometry. However, technological information is represented as text
symbols on the computer screen or drawing, and subsequent application
programs are frequently unable to use this information effectively. This paper
discusses this problem, and establishes the geometric elements required for the
representation or dimensions and tolerances in a feature-based product
modelling environment
A method for representation of component geometry using discrete pin for reconfigurable moulds
Moulding plays a paramount role in our daily life. Traditional moulding is often dedicated and expensive. As the current market trend moves from mass production towards small batch and large variation production, the demand for a mould that can reconfigure itself for different components is greater than ever. The reconfiguration of mould is often realized through discrete pins. Previous research in that field had focused on the hardware of pin actuation in order to move pins up or down to represent different components and lock the pins at certain positions. Little research has been conducted into support software development that enables rapid reconfiguration of discrete pins to represent component geometry.This paper addresses a new method of software development for the reconfigurable mould utilising discrete pins. The overall aim of the method is to provide an interface for generic discrete pin tooling in order to enable quick reconfiguration of the mould to represent component geometry. The software is composed of three parts: part discretization, pin matrix construction and adjustment and pin matrix verification
A survey of virtual prototyping techniques for mechanical product development
Repeated, efficient, and extensive use of prototypes is a vital activity that can make the difference between successful and unsuccessful entry of new products into the competitive world market. In this respect, physical prototyping can prove to be very lengthy and expensive, especially if modifications resulting from design reviews involve tool redesign. The availability and affordability of advanced computer technology has paved the way for increasing utilization of prototypes that are digital and created in computer-based environments, i.e. they are virtual as opposed to being physical. The technology for using virtual prototypes was pioneered and adopted initially by large automotive and aerospace industries. Small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs) in the manufacturing industry also need to take virtual prototyping (VP) technology more seriously in order to exploit the benefits. VP is becoming very advanced and may eventually dominate the product development process. However, physical prototypes will still be required for the near future, albeit less frequently. This paper presents a general survey of the available VP techniques and highlights some of the most important developments and research issues while providing sources for further reference. The purpose of the paper is to provide potential SME users with a broad picture of the field of VP and to identify issues and information relevant to the deployment and implementation of VP technology
RP-LC and HPTLC Methods for the Determination of Olmesartan Medoxomil and Hydrochlorothiazide in Combined Tablet Dosage Forms
Two new, rapid, precise, accurate and specific chromatographic methods were described for the simultaneous determination of olmesartan medoxomil and hydrochlorothiazide in combined tablet dosage forms. The first method was based on reversed phase liquid chromatography using an Eurosphere 100 RP C18 column (250 × 4.6 mm ID, 5 μm). The mobile phase was methanol–0.05% o-phosphoric acid (60:40 v/v) at a flow rate of 1.0 mL min−1. Commercially available tablets and laboratory mixtures containing both drugs were assayed and detected using a UV detector at 270 nm. The second method involved silica gel 60 F254 high performance thin layer chromatography and densitometric detection at 254 nm using acetonitrile–ethyl acetate–glacial acid (7:3:0.4 v/v/v) as the mobile phase. Calibration curves ranged between 200–600 and 125–375 ng spot−1 for olmesartan and hydrochlorothiazide, respectively
- …