Process capability study of laser assisted micro milling of a hard-to-machine material

Laser assisted micro milling (LAMM) is capable of generating three-dimensional micro scale features in hard-to-machine materials. This paper compares the process capability of LAMM with conventional micro milling of a hardened tool steel. In particular, the potential advantages of LAMM over micro milling with respect to cutting forces, tool wear, material removal rate, burr formation and surface roughness are investigated when micro milling hardened A2 tool steel (62 HRC). The results show that LAMM has significant advantages over micro milling, especially in terms of cutting forces, material removal rate and tool wear. The average reduction in the resultant cutting force is found to be up to 69% with laser assist. In addition, tool wear is found to be substantially less with laser assist even when the material removal rates are increased by a factor of six over the tool manufacturer recommended cutting conditions.     

过电位抛光增材制造双极板流道结构及性能研究

目的 研究过电位抛光对不锈钢异形截面微流道内壁成形性及双极板性能的影响。方法 采用电化学实验、扫描电子显微镜（SEM）、粗糙度测试分别对激光粉末床熔融技术成形异形截面微流道进行测试分析,研究抛光时间对微流道内壁表面形貌、典型缺陷、表面粗糙度及双极板耐腐蚀性的影响。结果 在抛光前10 min,微流道内壁的质量得到有效提升,随着抛光时间的延长,其表面粗糙度达到稳定值,同时典型缺陷也由黏粉、半熔金属颗粒等局部缺陷逐渐变化到球化、挂渣、阶梯效应等大范围缺陷,直至出现点蚀现象。抛光时间在5～15 min内,LPBF成形316L不锈钢表面质量提升,随着抛光时间的增加,其耐腐蚀性下降。结论 采用过电位抛光工艺并选择适当的过电位抛光时间,能有效提升微流道内壁成形质量及双极板耐腐蚀性能。     

Influence of overlap between the laser beam tracks on surface quality in laser polishing of AISI H13 tool steel

Polishing by laser beam radiation is a novel manufacturing process to modify the initial surface topography in order to achieve a desired level of surface finish. The performance of laser polishing (LP) is determined by an optimum combination of several key process parameters. In this regard, the overlap between two successive laser beam tracks is one of the important LP process parameters, which has a significant effect over the final surface quality. In the current study, influence of overlap between the laser beam tracks on surface quality was experimentally investigated during the laser polishing of AISI H13 tool steel. Surface areas were polished by using four different overlap percentages (e.g. 80%, 90%, 95%, and 97.5%) while applying the same energy density. The improvement of surface quality was estimated through the analysis of line profiling surface roughness R_a, areal topography surface roughness S_a, and material ratio function. Also, individual components of the surface quality, e.g. waviness and roughness, and their evolution during LP were statistically analyzed using the power spectral density and the transfer functions. Finally, as an example of the best achieved LP result, flat surface area was polished using optimum set of the process parameters improving surface quality by 86.7% through the reduction of an areal topography surface roughness S_a from 1.35 μm to 0.18 μm.     

Surface roughness prediction in milling based on tool displacements

In this paper, an experimental device using non-contact displacement sensors for the investigation of milling tool behaviour is presented. It enables the recording of high frequency tool vibrations during milling operations. The aim of this study is related to the surface topography prediction using tool displacements and based on tool center point methodology. From the recorded signals and the machining parameters, the tool deformation is modeled. Then, from the calculated deflection, the surface topography in 3D can be predicted. In recent studies, displacements in XY plane have been measured to predict the surface topography in flank milling. In this article, the angular deflection of the tool is also considered. This leads to the prediction of surfaces obtained in flank milling as well as in end milling operations. Validation tests were carried out: the predicted profiles were compared to the measured profile. The results show that the prediction corresponds well in shape and amplitude with the measurement.     

Rotary ultrasonic machining of potassium dihydrogen phosphate (KDP) crystal: An experimental investigation on surface roughness

Potassium dihydrogen phosphate (KDP) crystal, widely used for important electro-optic parts, is a typical hard-to-machine material because of its soft, brittle, and anisotropic properties. High quality is usually required for machined surfaces on KDP parts. Reported machining methods for KDP crystal include diamond turning, grinding, magnetorheological finishing, and polishing. Each of these methods has its limitations. Therefore, it is desirable to develop new machining methods for KDP crystal. This paper presents an experimental investigation on surface roughness in rotary ultrasonic machining (RUM) of KDP. It was found that the surface roughness obtained when using a tool with a chamfered corner was lower than that obtained using tools with right-angle corners. Other process variables (spindle speed, feedrate, and ultrasonic power) also affected the surface roughness obtained.     

Geometric variability and surface finish of weld zones in Yb:YAG laser welded advanced high strength steels

Laser welding is used for joining advanced high strength steels (AHSS) to improve formability and performance. In this paper, the geometric variability observed in the fusion zones and heat affected zones of several combinations of AHSS (different types, coatings and thicknesses), which were butt welded using a Trumpf TRUDISK 6000^® Yb:YAG laser beam, is presented. The surface texture parameters such as roughness and waviness of laser welds were also measured and correlated with geometric variability. Results indicate that although high quality welds with minimal defects can be obtained using the Yb:YAG laser welding process, there is considerable variation in both the shape and the dimensions of weld zones. The variability increased with an increase in thickness differentials between the sheets being welded. Analysis of the top of the weld surfaces also suggested that aluminum coating on USIBOR samples contributes significantly to increased roughness. An increase in laser power coupled with corresponding increase in welding speed did not impact variability. A fair correlation between the surface roughness and weld region variability exists, although this needs further study.     

Evaluation of vegetable based cutting fluids with extreme pressure and cutting parameters in turning of AISI 304L by Taguchi method

Many problems such as health and environment issues are identified with the use of cutting fluids (CFs). There has been a high demand for developing new environmentally friendly CFs such as vegetable based cutting fluids (VBCFs) to reduce these harmful effects. In this study, performances of six CFs, four different VBCFs from sunflower and canola oils with different ratios of extreme pressure (EP) additives, and two commercial types of CFs (semi-synthetic and mineral) are evaluated for reducing of surface roughness, and cutting and feed forces during turning of AISI 304L austenitic stainless steel with carbide insert tool. Taguchi’s mixed level parameter design (L₁₈) is used for the experimental design. Cutting fluid, spindle speed, feed rate and depth of cut are considered as machining parameters. Regression analyses are applied to predict surface roughness, and cutting and feed forces. ANOVA is used to determine effects of the machining parameters and CFs on surface roughness, cutting and feed forces. In turning of AISI 304L, effects of feed rate and depth of cut are found to be more effective than CFs and spindle speed on reducing forces and improving the surface finish. Performances of VBCFs and commercial CFs are also compared and results generally show that sunflower and canola based CFs perform better than the others.     

Nanosecond pulsed laser micromachining of PMMA-based microfluidic channels

This paper reports an investigation into the effects of nanosecond laser processing parameters on the geometry of microchannels fabricated from polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA). The Nd:YAG solid-state pulsed laser has a wavelength of 1064 nm and a measured maximum power of 4.15 W. The laser processing parameters are varied in a scanning speed range of 400–800 pulses/mm, a pulse frequency range of 5–11 Hz, a Q-switch delay time range of 170–180 μs. Main effects plots and microchannel images are utilized to identify the effects of the process parameters for improving material removal rate and surface quality simultaneously for laser micromachining of microchannels in PMMA polymer. It is observed that channel width and depth decreased linearly with increasing Q-switch delay time (hence average power) and increased non-linearly with higher scanning rates and not much affected by the increase in pulse frequency.     

2A12铝合金在EXCO溶液中腐蚀损伤形貌演化分析

目的探索2A12铝合金在EXCO溶液中腐蚀损伤形貌的演化规律。方法开展实验室内2A12铝合金的加速腐蚀实验。为实现表面粗糙度与腐蚀损伤相关性的定量研究,首先采用3D扫描成像仪对实验样品进行扫描,取得样品微观几何特征,实现表面粗糙度值的数字化定量表征。观察样品在EXCO溶液中腐蚀损伤的发生发展过程、腐蚀形貌的演化过程,测量腐蚀样品蚀坑深度,并分析表面粗糙度对样品腐蚀损伤的影响。结果当腐蚀时间不超过6 h时,2A12铝合金样品在EXCO溶液中的腐蚀类型主要为点蚀,随着时间的延长,将向全面腐蚀发展。粗糙度值高的试件表面有打磨时形成的较深表面纹理,这些纹理制约了点蚀坑的扩展,使蚀坑沿纹理的方向发展,有演化为微裂纹的可能性,蚀坑边界的不规则处也会萌生微裂纹。粗糙度值较小的样品,腐蚀损伤也较小,但粗糙度对腐蚀损伤的影响随时间的延长而减弱。结论常温下,2A12铝合金在EXCO溶液中首先发生点蚀,由于蚀坑向四周扩展的速度快于深度方向,使腐蚀类型从点蚀向全面腐蚀演变。表面粗糙度对2A12铝合金样品腐蚀损伤形貌的演化有重要影响,表面微观几何特征通过制约蚀坑扩展方向的方式来改变样品的腐蚀行为,并造成腐蚀损伤的明显差异。随着腐蚀时间的延长,材料逐渐失去其原有表面微观几何特征,表面粗糙度对腐蚀行为的影响下降。     

Micro fabrication on cylinder surface for control of wettability

A micro fabrication is presented to control wettability on cylinder surfaces. A machine tool is developed to form the micro-scale structure on the cylinder in incremental stamping. The stamping tool is manufactured with fabricating the micro-scale structure on the top of the tool in FIB sputtering. The micro incremental stamping is repeated with linear motion of the tool and rotation of the workpiece. The rotation is controlled by the friction drive on the machine table because of the stable stamping with reducing bending of the workpiece. The critical stamping depth, the minimum depth in which the structure is formed, is determined in the forming tests using the structured tool. Then, a stripe type structure is formed to control wettability on the cylinder surface. Anisotropic wettability appears on the structured surface.     

Machining assessment of nano-crystalline hydroxyapatite bio-ceramic

Hydroxyapatite (HAP) is a widely used bio-ceramic in the fields of orthopedics and dentistry. This study investigates the machinability of nano-crystalline HAP (nHAP) bio-ceramic in end milling operations, using uncoated carbide tool under dry cutting conditions. Efforts are focused on the effects of various machining conditions on surface integrity. A first order surface roughness model for the end milling of nHAP was developed using response surface methodology (RSM), relating surface roughness to the cutting parameters: cutting speed, feed, and depth of cut. Model analysis showed that all three cutting parameters have significant effect on surface roughness. However, the current model has limited statistical predictive power and a higher order model is desired. Furthermore, tool wear and chip morphology was studied. Machined surface analysis showed that the surface integrity was good, and material removal was caused by brittle fracture without plastic flow.     

Water jet guided laser as an alternative to EDM for micro-drilling of fuel injector nozzles: A comparison of machined surfaces

To characterize the inner surface of the fuel injector nozzle holes drilled by EDM and water jet guided laser drilling (Laser Micro-Jet) a specifically conceived scanning probe microscopy technique with true non-contact operating mode was used. A difference in morphology of the drilled surfaces is evident from the acquired surface topography along the hole axis for the two compared drilling techniques. Results showed that the surface texture can be characterized by (i) maximum peak-to-valley distance and (ii) periodicity. Acquired maps confirm that electro-eroded surfaces are an envelope of craters randomly distributed with total excursion up to 1.7 μm with a crater size of 15 μm. While, the efficient melt expulsion and immediate cooling of water jet guided laser generates a peak to valley distance of 800 nm with a periodicity of 18 μm. Average R_q derived from the measured cylindrical surfaces was 450 nm and 150 nm for EDM and Laser Micro-Jet, respectively. Water jet guided laser drilling has proved to be a reliable alternative to EDM from the point of view of repeatability of the results and surface quality to facilitate the atomization of the fuel jet.     

Micro dimple milling on cylinder surfaces

The paper presents a micro dimple machining on a cylinder surface with a two-flutes ball end mill. When the cutter axis is inclined and the depth of cut is less than the tool radius, non-cutting time, during which neither of the two cutting edges contacts the workpiece, appears in a rotation of the cutter. The rotation of the workpiece and the feed of the tool are controlled so that the cutting areas do not overlap each other. In order to incline the tool with respect to the tangential direction on the cylinder surface, the tool is located at a position oriented at 45° from the top of the cylinder. An analytical model is presented to control the shapes of the dimples with the cutting parameters. The presented machining is verified in cutting tests with measuring the shape and the profile of the dimples. Pre-machining operations are conducted to have a high cylindricity of the workpiece in longitudinal turning and polishing. The cutter runout of the tool is also eliminated by adjusting the orientation and the position of the tool in the collet chuck with measuring the cutting force. The micro dimples are machined accurately as they are simulated.     

2000—2014年四川省气溶胶时空格局及其驱动因子定量研究

论文研究四川省2000—2014年气溶胶光学厚度的时空演变趋势,并综合自然和人为两方面因素,从区域尺度上对四川省气溶胶光学厚度演变的驱动力进行定量研究,更进一步从像元尺度上分析驱动力的空间分异。结果表明：1）四川省以中部盆地为气溶胶光学厚度高值中心区且增长趋势最为明显,川东平行岭谷值较小且有轻度减少趋势,川西高原、川西南山地值最小,但有轻度增长趋势;2）区域尺度上,对气溶胶光学厚度驱动力主导因子进行定量研究,建立了气溶胶光学厚度（AOD）与GNP、降水量和归一化植被指数的多元回归模型,即AOD=0.849+0.567×GNP-0.909×降水量-0.077×归一化植被指数,该模型较好地体现了在更为宏观的区域层面上四川省气溶胶光学厚度演变驱动力的定量作用;3）像元尺度上,驱动力的空间分异表现为中部盆地气溶胶光学厚度主要受人为和地表因素影响,川东平行岭谷、川西高原和川西南山地气溶胶光学厚度受气象和地表因素影响较多。由于川渝地区秋冬季多云雾,有效的气溶胶卫星观测数据偏少,因此如何在秋冬季获取气溶胶光学厚度有效数据是未来应加强的工作;在驱动力因子方面人为因子的选取划分可以进一步具体化;由点到面的插值会影响驱动力因子数据的精度,故如何通过高精度的插值方法来提高数据的精度亦是未来提高驱动力定量研究准确性的发展方向。     

Selection of Optimal Superfinishing Parameters

This paper is concerned with the selection of optimal superfinishing conditions. During superfinishing of cylindrical surfaces, an axially oscillating abrasive stone is pressed against a rotating workpiece. Experimental results are presented that show the effect of contact pressure, process kinematics, and grit size on superfinishing behavior. An optimal contact pressure is found at which the removal rate is maximized. The ratio of axial oscillation frequency to workpiece rotational frequency should be selected so as to avoid integer values, which result in low stock removal, and half values, which can lead to lobe formation. Finer grit stones provide smoother surface finishes but less stock removal; therefore, the grit size selected should be only fine enough to generate the required surface roughness.     

Numerical and experimental investigations on laser melting of stainless steel 316L metal powders

This paper presents numerical and experimental investigations on laser melting of SS grade 316L powder on top of AISI 316L substrate using a pulsed Nd:YAG laser. The objectives of the present study are to understand the effect of process parameters such as laser power, scanning speed and beam size on geometry characteristics of the melt zone and ball formation. We formulated a moving heat source problem and obtained transient temperature solutions using commercial finite element solver. The geometry characteristics of the melt zone are evaluated from the temperature solutions and compared with experimental results. The effect of laser parameters on the geometry, morphology and homogeneity of single track realization was methodically analyzed by utilizing characterization tools such as laser particle size analyzer, macro and microscopic inspection, Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). The results presented in this paper are beneficial to realize homogenous layer formation in additive manufacturing processes involving powder melting by laser beam.     

Laser tempering based turning process for efficient machining of hardened AISI 52100 steel

Cost-effective machining of hardened steel components such as a large wind turbine bearing has traditionally posed a significant challenge. This paper presents an approach to machine hardened steel parts efficiently at higher material removal rates and lower tooling cost. The approach involves a two-step process consisting of laser tempering of the hardened workpiece surface followed by conventional machining at higher material removal rates with lower cost ceramic tools to efficiently remove the tempered material. The laser scanning parameters that yield the highest depth of tempered layer are obtained from a kinetic phase change model. Machining experiments are performed to demonstrate the possibility of higher material removal rates and improved tool wear behavior compared to the conventional hard turning process. Tool wear performance, cutting forces, and surface finish of Cubic Boron Nitride (CBN) tools as well as low cost ceramic tools are compared in machining of hardened AISI 52100 steel (~63 HRC). In addition, cutting forces and surface finish are compared for the laser tempering based turning and conventional hard turning processes. Experimental results show the potential benefits of the laser tempering based turning process over the conventional hard turning process.     

Parametric study along with selection of optimal solutions in dry wire cut machining of cemented tungsten carbide (WC-Co)

This work deals with parametric study of dry wire EDM (WEDM) process of cemented tungsten carbide. Experiments have been conducted using air as dielectric medium to investigate effects of pulse on time, pulse off time, gap set voltage, discharge current and wire tension on cutting velocity (CV) surface roughness (SR) and oversize (OS). Firstly, a series of exploratory experiments were carried out to identify appropriate gas and its pressure. Afterward, preliminary experiments were conducted to investigate effects of process parameters on dry WEDM characteristics and find appropriate ranges for each factor. Then a central composite rotatable method was employed to design experiments based on response surface methodology (RSM). Empirical models were developed to create relationships between process factors and responses by considering to analysis of variances (ANOVA). To increase the predictability of the process, intelligent models have been developed based on back-propagation neural network (BPNN) and accuracy of these models was compared with mathematical models based on root mean square error (RMSE) and prediction error percent (PEP). In order to select optimal solutions in the cases of single-objective and multi-objectives optimization problems, optimization includes two main approaches. First approach was based on mathematical model and desirability function. Also second approach was designed based on neural network and particle swarm optimization. These approaches were applied in both cases of single-objective and multi-objectives optimization problems and their results were compared with together. Results indicated that selection of air at inlet pressure of 1.5 bar is really appropriate for conducting experiments of next stages. Also, the BPNN creates more accurate prediction rather than mathematical model. Moreover, the BPNN-PSO approach was more efficient in optimization of process rather than mathematical model-desirability function in respect with validation tests.     

Analysis of machined surface quality in a single-pass of ball-end milling on Inconel 718

The ball-end milling process is widely used for generating three-dimensional sculptured surfaces with definite curvature. In such cases, variation of surface properties along the machined surface curvatures is not well understood. Therefore, this paper reports the effect of machining parameters on the quality of surface obtained in a single-pass of a ball-end milling cutter with varying chip cross-sectional area. This situation is analogous to generation of free form cavities, pockets, and round fillets on mould surfaces. The machined surfaces show formation of distinct bands as a function of instantaneous machining parameters along the periphery of cutting tool edge, chip compression and instantaneous shear angle. A distinct variation is also observed in the measured values of surface roughness and micro-hardness in these regions. The maximum surface roughness is observed near the tool tip region on the machined surface. The minimum surface roughness is obtained in the stable cutting zone and it increases towards the periphery of the cutter. Similar segmentation was observed on the deformed chips, which could be correlated with the width of bands on the machined surfaces. The sub-surface quality analysis in terms of micro-hardness helped define machining affected zone (MAZ). The parametric effects on the machining induced shear and residual stresses have also been evaluated.