Finish Machining Research Articles

Regeneration of Deteriorated Internal Combustion Engine Components used in Thermal Power Plants

The generation of electric power through internal combustion engines plays an important role in the world economy. Exhaust cases and valves are critical engine components and are subjected to high pressures and temperatures. The additive remanufacturing technology of mechanical components that have reached the end of their useful life due to wear, through the L-DED laser directed energy deposition method, proves to be an effective method to obtain spare parts with similar or even superior characteristics to a new part, extending the product life cycle in the circular economy. The process consists of obtaining 3D models through reverse engineering, additive remanufacturing by L-DED and final machining. It was determined through the study that this methodology can be successfully applied to the exhaust boxes and valves of internal combustion engines for electric generation. The results obtained have shown that this remanufacturing method is an effective solution for the recovery of exhaust boxes and valves that have completed their useful life and can be applied to other engine elements, reducing the cost of the spare part compared to a new one and bringing with it important environmental benefits. In reference to the remanufacturing time, it has been determined that the application of the L-DED process in the exhaust boxes and valves is 3943 and 3677 s respectively. In addition to this time, the time used in the initial preparation and final machining must be added; however, the time is substantially less than the manufacturing of a new spare part, which brings with it an increase in the availability of these spare parts to perform scheduled maintenance in the engines for power generation, contributing to improve the efficiency of the national electric system.

Electrochemical Mill Grinding of (TiB+TiC)/Ti6Al4V Composites Using Abrasive Tool with Bottom Outlet Holes.

Difficult-to-cut titanium matrix composites (TMCs) are widely used in the aerospace, automotive, and defense sectors due to their excellent physical properties. Electrochemical mill grinding (ECMG) can achieve the processing effects of electrochemical milling and electrochemical grinding using the same tool, which has the potential to complete the rough and finish machining of TMCs in succession. However, in the rough machining stage, the bottom of the slot becomes concave due to the inevitable stray corrosion, leading to poor flatness, which increases the machining allowance for subsequent finish machining. In this paper, a bottom outlet hole layout of an abrasive tool with a diameter of 6 mm is proposed. Dynamic simulations demonstrate that the electrolyte flow rate in both side regions of the slot is significantly increased by the bottom outlet holes. The experimental results confirm that, compared with the tool without bottom outlet holes, a 61.2% reduction in the bottom flatness can be achieved when using the newly proposed tool during rough machining. After the finish machining, a slot with a width of 8 mm and a depth of 4.8 mm was obtained on the TMCs, which had a flat bottom and sidewall surface with good surface quality.

Carbon Footprint of Additively Manufactured Precious Metals Products

Traditionally, precious metals are processed by either lost-wax casting or the casting of semi-finished products followed by cold or hot working, machining, and surface finishing. Long process chains usually conclude in a high material input factor and a significant amount of new scrap to be refined. The maturing of Additive Manufacturing (AM) technologies is advantageous with regard to resources among other criteria by opening up new processing techniques like laser-based powder bed fusion (LPBF) for the production of near net shape metal products. This paper gives an insight into major advantages of the powder-based manufacturing of precious metal components over conventional methods focusing on product carbon footprints (PCF). Material Flow Cost Accounting (MFCA) for selected applications show energy and mass flows and inefficient recoverable losses in detail. An extended MFCA approach also shows the greenhouse gas (GHG) savings from avoiding recoverable material losses and provides PCF for the products. The PCF of the precious metals used is based on a detailed Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of the refining process of end-of-use precious metals. In the best case, the refining of platinum from end-of-life recycling, for example, causes 60 kg CO2e per kg of platinum. This study reveals recommended actions for improvements in efficiency and gives guidance for a more sustainable production of luxury or technical goods made from precious metals. This exemplary study on the basis of an industrial application shows that the use of AM leads to a carbon footprint of 2.23 kg CO2e per piece in comparison with 3.17 kg CO2e by conventional manufacturing, which means about a 30 percent reduction in GHG emissions and also in energy, respectively.

Research on the fabrication of high-quality patterned diamond using femtosecond laser

Research on the fabrication of high-quality patterned diamond using femtosecond laser

The influences of alloying elements and processing conditions on the machinability of wrought aluminium alloys: A literature review

Today, wrought aluminium alloys are ranked among the most important materials with low specific density, strength features, corrosion resistance, machinability and recyclability properties in numerous application fields. Machining process of these alloys involves a number of considerations to ensure the highest quality and productivity. Key machinability issues include the rate of tool wear, workpiece surface finish and integrity and machining process sustainability. Understanding and optimising these parameters can lead to improving the machinability, better surface finish, longer tool life, and overall, more efficient and cost-effective machining processes for wrought aluminium alloys. The machining of wrought aluminium alloys remains a challenging task due to their unique characteristics, such as high strength, thermal conductivity and refined grain structures with mechanical and/or heat treatment. Although considerable progress has been made in the development of cutting tool materials and machining techniques for wrought aluminium alloys, further research is required to improve the machinability of these materials and reduce the associated costs and time needed for production. Having access to relevant information about these characteristics can help industries and researchers make informed decisions and achieve better outcomes when machining of these important materials. Accordingly, in the current research work, a comprehensive study has been carried out on machining of wrought aluminium from different points of view.

A Short Review on the Wire-Based Directed Energy Deposition of Metals: Mechanical and Microstructural Properties and Quality Enhancement

Wire-based directed energy deposition (WDED) is an emerging additive manufacturing process garnering significant attention due to its potential for fabricating metal components with tailored mechanical and microstructural properties. This study reviews the WDED process, focusing on fabrication techniques, mechanical behaviors, microstructural characteristics, and quality enhancement methods. Utilizing data from the Web of Science, the study identifies leading countries in WDED research and highlights a growing interest in the field, particularly in materials engineering. Stainless steel, titanium, aluminum, and copper-based alloys are prominent materials for WDED applications. Furthermore, the study explores post-processing techniques such as machining, heat treatment, and surface finishing as integral steps for quality enhancement in WDED components.

Enhancing orthogonal finishing machining of Ti6Al4V with laser-ablated tool geometry modifications

Finishing machining of Ti6Al4V, known for its high strength and heat conduction resistance, demands optimisation to achieve high-quality end products. This study explores modifying the chip contact length on the rake face and altering the flank face with a cavity to minimise process forces and temperatures while maintaining cutting edge integrity. The research validates the manufacturability of ultra-short pulsed laser-ablated tool geometry modifications, indicating potential for industrial scale-up. Extensive experimental evaluations under dry conditions assess the impact of tool modifications at various feed rates for planing and turning. Significant reductions in process forces and temperatures were observed with rake face modifications, particularly at a cavity distance of approximately 34 µm. Ideal performance was noted for feed rates between 0.035 and 0.045 mm for planing and 0.040 to 0.045 mm/rev for turning. Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics (SPH) simulations employing a Johnson-Cook material model were used to analyse chip formation and to predict the process forces. These simulations revealed a clear change in the chip formation and lower process forces and temperatures. The SPH results closely matched experimental outcomes, with a discrepancy of less than 7 % in cutting forces for both tool types, although feed forces were underestimated by about 50 %. The effect of the tool modification is reflected accurately at the respective feeds.

Region-Based Approach for Machining Time Improvement in Robot Surface Finishing

Traditionally, in robotic surface finishing, the entire workpiece is processed at a uniform speed, predetermined by the operator, which does not account for variations in the machinability across different regions of the workpiece. This conventional approach often leads to inefficiencies, especially given the diverse geometrical characteristics of workpieces that could potentially allow for different machining speeds. Our study introduces a region-based approach, which improves surface finishing machining time by allowing variable speeds and directions tailored to each region’s specific characteristics. This method leverages a task-oriented strategy integrating robot kinematics and workpiece surface geometry, subdivided by the clustering algorithm. Subsequently, methods for optimization algorithms were developed to calculate each region’s optimal machining speeds and directions. The efficacy of this approach was validated through numerical results on two distinct workpieces, demonstrating significant improvements in machining times. The region-based approach yielded up to a 37% reduction in machining time compared to traditional single-direction machining. Further enhancements were achieved by optimizing the workpiece positioning, which, in our case, added up to an additional 16% improvement from the initial position. Validation processes were conducted to ensure the collaborative robot’s joint velocities remained within safe operational limits while executing the region-based surface finishing strategy.

Additive Manufacturing of Ceramic Reference Spheres by Stereolithography (SLA)

Additive Manufacturing (AM) is advancing technologically towards the production of components for high-demand mechanical applications with stringent dimensional accuracy, leveraging metallic and ceramic raw materials. The AM process for ceramic components, known as Ultraviolet Laser Stereolithography (SLA), enables the fabrication of unique parts or small batches without substantial investments in molds and dies, and avoids the problems associated with traditional manufacturing, which involves multiple stages and final machining for precision. This study addresses the need to produce reference elements or targets for metrological applications, including verification, adjustment, or calibration of 3D scanners and mid- to high-range optical sensors. Precision spheres are a primary geometry in this context due to their straightforward mathematical definition, facilitating rapid and accurate error detection in equipment. Our objective is to exploit this novel SLA process along with the advantageous optical properties of technical ceramics (such as being white, matte, lightweight, and corrosion-resistant) to materialize these reference objects. Specifically, this work involves the fabrication of alumina hemispheres using SLA. The manufacturing process incorporates four design variables (wall thickness, support shape, fill type, and orientation) and one manufacturing variable (the arrangement of spheres on the printing tray). To evaluate the impact of the design variables, dimensional and geometric parameters (GD&T), including diameters, form errors, and their distribution on the surface of the sphere, have been characterized. These measurements are conducted with high accuracy using a Coordinate Measuring Machine (CMM). The study also examines the influence of these variables in the dimensional and geometric accuracy of the spheres. Correlations between various parameters were identified, specifically highlighting critical factors affecting process precision, such as the position of the piece on the print tray and the wall thickness value. The smallest diameter errors were recorded at the outermost positions of the tray (rear and front), while the smallest shape errors were found at the central position, in both cases with errors in the range of tens of micrometers. In any case, the smallest deformations were observed with the highest wall thickness (2 mm).

Multi-physics field coupling interface lubrication contact analysis for gear transmission under various finishing processes

Multi-physics field coupling interface lubrication contact analysis for gear transmission under various finishing processes

A Single-Camera-Based Three-Dimensional Velocity Field Measurement Method for Granular Media in Mass Finishing with Deep Learning.

Surface treatment processes such as mass finishing play a crucial role in enhancing the quality of machined parts across industries. However, accurate measurement of the velocity field of granular media in mass finishing presents significant challenges. Existing measurement methods suffer from issues such as complex and expensive equipment, limited to single-point measurements, interference with the flow field, and lack of universality in different scenarios. This study addresses these issues by proposing a single-camera-based method with deep learning to measure the three-dimensional velocity field of granular flow. We constructed a complete measurement system and analyzed the accuracy and performance of the proposed method by comparing the measurement results with those of the traditional DIC algorithm. The results show that the proposed method is very accurate in measuring spatial displacement, with an average error of less than 0.07 mm and a calculation speed that is 1291.67% of the traditional DIC algorithm under the same conditions. Additionally, experiments in a bowl-type vibratory finishing machine demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed method in capturing the three-dimensional flow of granular media. This research not only proposed a novel method for three-dimensional reconstruction and velocity field measurement using a single-color camera, but also demonstrated a way to combine deep learning with traditional optical techniques. It is of great significance to introduce deep learning to improve traditional optical techniques and apply them to practical engineering measurements.

Wire arc additive manufacturing of a high-strength low-alloy steel part: environmental impacts, costs, and mechanical properties

Additive manufacturing (AM) technologies have demonstrated a promising material efficiency potential in comparison to traditional material removal processes. A new directed energy deposition (DED) category AM process called wire arc additive manufacturing (WAAM) is evolving due to its benefits which include faster build rates, capacity to build large volumes, and inexpensive feedstock materials and machine tools compared to more technologically mature powder-based AM technologies. However, WAAM products present challenges like poor surface finish and lower dimensional accuracy compared to powder-based processes or machined parts, prevalence of thermal distortions, residual stresses, and defects like porosity, cracks, and humping, often requiring post-processing operations like finish machining and heat treatment. These post-processing operations add to the production cost and environmental footprint of WAAM-built parts. Therefore, considering the opportunities and challenges presented by WAAM, this paper analyses the environmental impact, production costs, and mechanical properties of WAAM parts and compares them with those achieved by laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) and traditional computer numerical control (CNC) milling. A high-strength low-alloy steel (ER70S) mechanical part with medium complexity was fabricated using WAAM. Based on the data collected during this experiment, environmental impact and cost models were built using life cycle assessment and life cycle costing methodologies. WAAM was observed to be the most environmentally friendly option due to its superior material efficacy than CNC milling and has a better energy efficiency than LPBF. Also, WAAM was the most cost-friendly option when adopted in batch production for batch sizes above 3. The environmental and cost potential of WAAM is amplified when used for manufacturing large products, resulting in significant material, emission, and cost savings. The fabricated WAAM part demonstrated good mechanical properties comparable to that of cast/forged material. The methodology and experimental data presented in this study can be used to calculate environmental impacts and costs for other products and can be helpful to manufacturers in selecting the most ecofriendly and cost-efficient manufacturing process.

A CFD simulation platform for surface finishing processes in advanced manufacturing

A CFD simulation platform for surface finishing processes in advanced manufacturing

Fatigue response of AlSi10Mg by laser powder bed fusion: influence of build orientation, heat, and surface treatments

The aim of this study is to analyze how the fatigue behavior of AlSi10Mg by laser powder bed fusion is affected by build orientation, heat, and surface treatments. A three-by-three factorial plan has been arranged for this purpose. Particularly, regarding the heat treatment, three levels were considered (as built, age hardening, and stress relief); whereas, for the surface treatment, three levels were investigated (micro-shot-peening, micro-shot-peening plus fine blasting, and machining and lapping following laser powder bed fusion). Regarding the build orientation, the specimens were manufactured using three different build orientations (0°, 45°, and 90°). The obtained data have been statistically analyzed by a three-factor ANOVA-based method. The results, supported by fractographic and micrographic microscopy analyses, indicate that the age-hardening treatment yields the maximum benefits, whereas stress relief may even have a detrimental effect. As for surface treatments, a positive influence of shot-peening has been found.

Russian Precision Finishing Machines

Russian Precision Finishing Machines

Горячее деформирование корпусных заготовок в изотермических условиях

Core operations with hollow products, having a periodically changing internal profile, consists in the final machining of press forgings. However, at the same time, metal rejects are high, and despite the high quality of the products obtained, their mechanical characteristics do not always meet the requirements of functioning. For the equipment units, when subjected to heavy loads, the parts are usually made of high-strength materials. Due to the complexity of the work on a workpieces made of high-strength alloys, operations are carried out with heating of the deformed zone of the in-process part or with a total heating. The use of slow deformation in the hot state under certain speed conditions is promising. The process of the internal pattern formation for hollow shells made of titanium alloy VT6 is viewed. These products are mainly used as various airframes and are made using special methods of mechanical engineering. Due to the use of high-strength billet materials, there are difficulties with the mechanization of the production methods. The article evaluates force conditions for generation of geometry on the shells based on CAE modeling. The simulation was performed in the deform complex. The focus of the research was on the assessment of deformation forces and stress intensities. The influence of deformation ratio, strain rates, punch geometry on the strength of the process and stress intensity has been revealed. A regression equation to estimate the forces of the process is deduced. Recommendations on the design of fillets forming operations have been obtained. Deformation modes aimed at achieving rational power modes, respectively, loads on the tool, which indirectly affects its durability, as well as the stress condition in the product, have been found.

LEVEREGING TECHNOLOGICAL HEREDITY TO INCREASE PRODUCTION EFFICIENCY OF FERROCERRAMIC PRODUCTS DURING FINAL MACHINING

The quality state of grinded surface of ferro ceramic products is formed under the influence of thermomechanical phenomena which occurs during final machining and depends on the technological conditions for workpiece procurement. The mathematical model was formulated to regulate and optimize thermomechanical processes during the acquisition of ferroceramic workpieces. This mathematical model describes thermomechanical processes during workpieces sintering. Thermomechanical processes have a direct influence on defects formation in the workpieces. Grinding can cause the appearance of burns, cracks, tensile stresses in the surface layers of the products. These defects can significantly spoil the quality of products during their operation. High thermal stress of diamond-abrasive processing brings thermophysical aspects as a dominating factor for quality characteristics of processed surface. Existing grinding methods for products made from ferrocerramic materials are not able to fully eliminate the defects in the surface layer. Such defects are inherited from preceding machining operations, particularly from workpiece procurement. Material structure itself is prone or defect occurrence due to micro-heterogeneities, packaging defects, dislocations, and structural transformations. Analysis of the thermomechanical processes that run inside the surface layer made it possible to formulate calculation dependencies for defining technological conditions for eliminating burns and cracks during grinding of ferrocerramic products. Device for automatic stabilization of thermomechanical characteristics that accompany grinding of ferrocerramic products. This is achieved through the selection of optimal technological conditions for machining of the products that have heredity inhomogeneities inside the surface layer. Thus, this approach helps to achieve maximum efficiency within required quality citeria.

Digital-twin-driven intelligent tracking error compensation of ultra-precision machining

Digital-twin-driven intelligent tracking error compensation of ultra-precision machining

Evaluation of the Surface Integrity and Recast Layer in Electrical Discharge Turning of WC-Co Composites.

Tungsten carbide (WC) and its composites are typically associated with high hardness and high wear resistance, posing challenges in conventional machining processes like turning. To address the machining difficulties of WC-Co, electrical discharge turning (EDT) was proposed. The rotational speed in EDT is a key factor influencing the machining results; however, conflicting reports exist about its impact on the EDT process. Therefore, the effect of rotational speed on three different machining regimes, including roughing, semi-finishing, and finishing, was investigated using energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), SEM, and roughness tests. Additionally, elemental mapping was applied to illustrate the element distribution on the machined surface. The results indicated that increasing the rotational speed led to a 10% to 17% decrease in the recast layer thickness and a 14% to 54% reduction in the surface roughness (Ra).

Design and Fabrication of Double disk Lapping Machine for Gudgeon Pin

An engineer is always focused towards challenges of bringing ideas and concepts to life. Therefore, sophisticated machines and modern techniques have to be constantly developed and implemented for economical manufacturing of products. Advanced researches approaches a topic of actuality in the machine manufacturing field, by combining the modern trends in the manufacturing processes (surfaces’ lapping) in processing some special materials (ceramics, composites) in conditions of minimum cost/ maximum quality, with modern technologies. Machine lapping is meant for economic lapping of batch qualities. In machine lapping, where high accuracy is demanded. Bonded abrasives in the form wheel are chosen for commercial lapping. Machine lapping can also employ abrasive paper or abrasive cloth as the lapping medium. New machines and techniques are being developed continuously to manufacture various products at cheaper rates and high quality. So, we are going to make a machine for Double Disc Lapping Machine and make it multipurpose & should be used as Micro Finishing machine is simple to maintain easy to operate. Hence, we tried our hands on “Double Disc Lapping Machine.” Lapping machine is one of the principal machines in industry. It is mainly used as the name indicates to micro polishing the material surfaces. Keywords: Micro Finishing, Lapping, both sides, low-cost machine