Hand-Held Laser Welding of AISI301LN for components with aesthetic requirements: Toward the integration of machine and human intelligence

The use of Hand-Held Laser Welding (HHLW) systems in the industry has been rapidly growing in recent years as an alternative solution to conventional manual arc-based welding systems. The decreasing cost of fiber laser sources and optics has been a driving factor in enabling a wider use of HHLW systems, beyond the established advantages of laser technology with respect to arc-based systems. While the industrial use of HHLW increases, the subject matter has been studied sparingly in the scientific literature. Due to the intrinsic flexibility of the technology, HHLW systems are highly appealing for joining relatively low thickness metals (≤2 mm) in autogenous configuration in sectors where production lots present low batch and high variability. However, a critical aspect of HHLW is correlated to the operator skill, where welding velocities can vary within and between the welds affecting both their aesthetic and mechanical properties. Hence, the development of combined digital and physical approaches to support manual operations may be highly beneficial. The current study presents an open laboratory HHLW system designed for process development purposes. Beyond conventional manual welding operations, the welding torch could be arranged in different configurations. The system could be combined with a linear axis (enabling welding with stable velocity and inclination) or manually with the aid of a newly developed roller device designed to provide constant speed and inclination. First, the process was benchmarked by joining in butt weld configuration 2 mm thick AISI301LN stainless steel sheets with the linear axis. Successively, four operators with different levels of training (rookie and professional) realized welds with the system in hand-held configuration and with the mechanical roller. The weld width variability was assessed as a direct indicator for aesthetic compliance while tensile tests were allowed to determine the mechanical properties of the joint obtained with different configurations

Leishmania infantum leishmaniasis in corticosteroid – treated patients

BACKGROUND: The number of leishmaniasis cases associated with immunosuppression has increased regularly over the past 20 years. Immunosuppression related to HIV infection, immunosuppressive treatment, organ transplantation, and neoplastic diseases increases the risk for Leishmania-infected people to develop visceral illness. CASE PRESENTATION: Three cases of Leishmania infantum leishmaniasis in corticosteroid (CS)-treated patients are reported: an isolated lingual leishmaniasis in a farmer treated with CS for asthma, a severe visceral leishmaniasis associated with cutaneous lesions in a woman with myasthenia gravis, and a visceral involvement after cutaneous leishmaniasis in a man receiving CS. CONCLUSION: Physicians should recognise CS-treated patients as a population likely to be immunesuppressed. In immunodeficiency conditions, unusual forms of leishmaniasis can develop and foster the risk of a diagnostic delay and of poor response to therapy

«Is it all going to be just words?» – Le difficoltà del neutralismo: gli Stati Uniti e le forniture di aerei alla Grecia nel 1940-’41

This essay describes in depth the attitude of US government towards Greece at the time of Italian aggression of 28 October 1940, the American will of helping Greeks with military supplies and the opposing need of diplomatic neutralis

Renato Prunas, diplomatico (1892-1951)

R.Prunas è stato uno dei più importanti diplomatici italianio del XX secolo, artefice del pieno reinserimento del paese nella comunità internazionale dopo la sconfitta patita nella II guerra mondial

La vicenda di Clare Boothe Luce, ambasciatrice degli Stati Uniti in Italia (1953-1956)

This article deals with Clare Boothe Luce's life and diplomatic activity as US Ambassador in Italy (1953-56), her personal diplomatic style and the accomplishments of her actio

Profili politico-diplomatici del trattato di amicizia, commercio e navigazione tra Regno di Sardegna e Repubblica Orientale dell’Uruguay del 29 ottobre 1840

This essay offers a framework of historical-diplomatic aspects of the treaty signed on the 29th October 1840. It recalls how interested the Court of Turin was in recognizing the Uruguayan Republic, showing the cordiality of the atmosphere between the two parts. A following detailed analysis of the contents will underline the remarkable significance of the agreement both from a diplomatic-commercial and political point of view: a milestone for a long-run path of stable and valuable friendship

Dalle origini alla ‘primavera araba’. La Nato e le crisi mediterranee tra passato e presente

This essay offers an historical account of Nato's perception and strategic interests towards the Mediterranean area from the Fifties to recent Arab Spring