bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Questionnaire Survey on Ultra-Precision Positioning
Authors: Oiwa Takaaki ,   Department of Mechanical Engineering, Shizuoka University, 3-5-1 Johoku, Nakaku, Hamamatsu 432-8561, Japan, Katsuki Masahide , Karita Mitsuji , Gao Wei , Makinouchi Susumu , Sato Kaiji , Oohashi Yasuji ,   Toshiba Machine Co., Ltd.,   Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan,   Tohoku University,   Nikon Corporation,   Tokyo Institute of Technology,   KSS Co., Ltd.
Published: April 2016

Surveys on ultra-precision positioning held seven times since 1986 are summarized in this paper. According to questionnaires in these surveys, including the latest in 2010, averaged recognition of “precision” is 1 µm and of “ultra-precision” 10 nm. Although positioning accuracy currently appears to have reached the development limit, accuracy under 1 nm is expected to be attained. Demand for higher speed, greater acceleration, and longer stroke increasing yearly has made the linear motor drive more popular. Improved displacement sensor performance now regularly uses the linear scale unit for practical reasons. Environmental concerns have led to hydraulic actuators being increasingly replaced by electromagnetic actuators, thus saving lubricating oil.
Modelling and Control of Flexure Mechanism Driven by Electromagnetic Linear Motors for Ultraprecise Continuous Path Positioning over a One-Millimetre Stroke
Authors: Fukada Shigeo ,   Department of Mechanical Systems Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Shinshu University, 4-17-1 Wakasato, Nagano 380-8553, Japan, Nishimura Kentaro , Matsuda Tomoaki ,   Production Machinery Development Engineer, ROHM Co., Ltd., 21 Saiin Mizosaki-cho, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto 615-8585, Japan,   Aerospace Engineering, Oye headquarters, Churyo Engineering Corporation, 10, Oye-cho, Minato-ku, Nagoya, Aichi 455-8515, Japan
Published: April 2016

The topic discussed is the Continuous-Path (CP) control performance of a planar positioning mechanism with three degrees of freedom using flexure guides and electromagnetic linear motors. A stage of cube configuration with 60 mm sides is supported by leaf springs made of phosphor bronze, which form double compound rectilinear springs with three degrees of freedom. Three pairs of VCM-type linear motors are set around the stage, and laser interferometers with a resolution of 0.6 nm measures the stage motion in the X-Y-θ directions. To achieve ultraprecise CP positioning, a dynamic model is derived from the equations of motion of the mechanism, and a simulation system is constructed to demonstrate the dynamic performance of the developed positioning system. Some experiments are performed to evaluate the performance of the control methods to obtain high-precision circular motion. The simulation system reproduces the performance in single-axis positioning. The multiaxis control is affected by interference among the axes X-Y-θ. To eliminate the interference, the input-output property of the mechanismconsidered as a Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO) system is measured in quasi-static and dynamic domains, and a static inverse model of the MIMO system is adopted for a FeedForward (FF) controller. Fine circularmotion with a roundness of 66 nm and a tracking deviation of 20 nm is achieved over a 1-mm stroke, and thus, the potential of the mechanism is demonstrated.
Sub-Nanometer Resolution Positioning Device Driven by New Type of Linear Motor with Linear Ball Guideways – Considering Time Lag of Electric Control System –
Authors: Tanaka Toshiharu ,   Toyota National College of Technology, 2-1 Eisei, Toyota, Aichi 471-8525, Japan, Otsuka Jiro , Masuda Ikuro , Aoyama Yasuaki , Inagaki Asuka ,   Shizuoka Institute of Science and Technology, 2200-2 Toyosawa, Fukuroi, Shizuoka 437-8555, Japan,   Hitachi Ltd. Hitachi Research Laboratory, 7-1-1 Omika-cho, Hitachi-shi, Ibaraki-ken, Japan
Published: April 2016

We have developed an ultra-precision positioning device that has the following characteristics: 1) The 210 mm strokes stage is driven by a new type of linear motor called “Tunnel Actuator (TA).” 2) The stage has very rigid structure so as not to cause vibration and to achieve high resolution for its feed-back system. 3) The stage is supported by linear ball guideways that have nonlinear spring behavior in the small stroke range. 4) Much attention has been paid to the time lag of the electric control system in the PID control using a linear encoder of 0.034 nm resolution for the feed-back system. The electric control system compensates for the disturbance of induced electromotive voltage that is generated in proportion to the stage velocity. We have studied how the equivalent time constant T of the control system affects the stage displacement deviation Δx when the command of stage displacement xr is kept at zero. The following results have been obtained: 1)With a decrease in time constant T of the current control system, the change in the motor current Io becomes smaller, and, at the same time, the change in stage deviation Δx becomes smaller. 2) At the smallest time constant T of the current system, a displacement resolution of 0.2 nm has been obtained under the nonlinear spring behavior of linear ball guideways. 3) There is a possibility of obtaining a displacement resolution of less than 0.1 nm with a further decrease in T.
Proposal of a Methodology for Supporting Eco-Business Planning
Authors: Nakamura Nobuo ,   Department of Mechanical Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University, 2-1 Yamada-oka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan, Mandai Kohei , Fukushige Shinichi , Umeda Yasushi ,   a-Socca, Inc., 5-2 Higashi-ashiya, Ashiya, Hyogo 659-0095, Japan
Published: April 2016

As global environmental issues have become aggravated, “Eco” has become a competitive advantage in business because of consumers’ increasing environmental consciousness. However, it is difficult to lead an eco-business to success in both environmental and economic aspects. In order to solve these problems, this paper proposes a methodology that supports ecobusiness planning, in which a design team utilizes the eighteen rules to generate ideas for eco-business based on the investigation of 50 cases of existing ecobusiness, combines these eco-business ideas to generate eco-business model prototypes, and modifies them. This paper also verifies the feasibility of the proposed method through a workshop. The results of the workshop revealed that the method effectively supports especially in generating eco-business ideas by using the eighteen rules, combining ideas with other ideas, and evaluating them from the three perspectives of market attractiveness, company suitability, and environmental consciousness.
New Perspective in Corporate Environmental Targets Reporting
Authors: Dusek Jan ,   Hosei University, 2-17-1 Fujimi, Chioda-ku, Tokyo 102-8160, Japan, Fukuda Yoshiro
Published: April 2016

Nowadays it is increasingly important for companies to stay credible in terms of their commitment to address global warming and reduce their environmental impact. One way to do this is to consistently and transparently disclose environmental data. This research aims to investigate environmental data disclosed by companies, with a particular focus on corporate environmental targets. We analyze the historical timelines of corporate environmental targets for a sample of major Japanese manufacturing companies in order to understand patterns of target-setting behavior. In a number of cases, we identify a significant level of inconsistency. We examine the implications of this phenomenon by conducting a questionnaire among a stakeholder group that deals with the issue of corporate environmental disclosure on a daily basis – sustainability-rating agencies. The output of this study consists of a proposed Environmental Target Model (ETM) based on the target-setting best-practice experience of rating agencies and our findings.
A Method of Designing and Fabricating Mckibben Muscles Driven by 7 MPa Hydraulics
Authors: Iwata Kazuhiro ,   Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University, 3-1-1 Tsushima-naka, Kita-ku, Okayama 700-8530, Japan, Suzumori Koichi , Wakimoto Shuichi ,   Research Core for Interdisciplinary Sciences, Okayama University, 3-1-1 Tsushima-naka, Kita-ku, Okayama 700-8530, Japan
Published: April 2016

Research has recently been increasing on light weight and high-power robot hands that use artificial muscles. By applying ultra high strength PBO fiber sleeves to McKibben artificial muscles, new hydraulic artificial muscles have been developed in our laboratory. In this research, to apply this technology to a high-power robot easily, we have developed new, thin, hydraulic artificial muscles. While the hydraulic artificial muscles reported in our previous paper were driven by a maximum water pressure of 4 MPa, the newly developed thin muscles are driven by water with a maximum pressure of 7 MPa, resulting in very high force capability. This paper details the materials and structure of the new artificial muscles and reports the results of experiments on them. The muscles developed in this work are based on a sleeve and rubber tube design. The movements of the muscles depend on the angle of the knit of sleeve: an angle of less than 54.5 deg produces contraction while an angle of more than 54.5 deg produces extension. Based on this idea, we optimize, using FEM analysis, the angle of knit of the sleeve of each muscle. As a result, a high powered artificial muscle 21 mm in diameter which generates 8 kN of contraction force has been successfully developed.
Bubble Elimination from Working Oil for Environmentally Friendly Hydraulic System Design
Authors: Tanaka Yutaka ,   Hosei University, 2-17-1 Fujimi, Chiyodaku, Tokyo 102-8160, Japan, Sakama Sayako , Suzuki Ryushi ,   Opus System Inc., 3-18-7 Asagayaminami, Suginamiku, Tokyo 166-0004, Japan
Published: April 2016

With a view to environmental compatibility, energy saving, cost reduction, and high performance and efficiency, one trend in hydraulic systems, particularly in mobile markets, is to design them to be more compact, require less hydraulic fluid in the reservoir, and use their working hydraulic fluid longer. Air bubbles entrained in working hydraulic fluids have greatly detrimental effects on the function and lifetime of hydraulic fluids, components, and systems. A bubble eliminator using a swirl flow that can eliminate air bubbles from working hydraulic fluid has been proposed and developed by our smart and clean hydraulic project. This paper focuses on technical issues related to air bubbles, the aging process of hydraulic oil, and a field test of the performance of the bubble eliminator.
Special Issue on Die and Mold Technology
Authors: Anzai Masahiro
Published: April 2016

Such mass-produced items as cars, consumer electronics equipment, precision instruments, office supplies, and daily necessities are inevitably connected to dies and molds – basic manufacturing technology whose quality determines product quality. The difficulties of die and mold production lie in the complexity of the structures and their requirements for high precision. Advances in both processing and basic technology such as machine tools and CAD/CAM software determine the results of die and mold acceptability and the level of productive techniques in the country of manufacture.

This special issue focuses on advanced die and mold manufacturing technology. Included among the many interesting papers and reports are “The Influence Capitalize of Properties Improvement for Reinforced Plastics by Resin Flow Control Molding Method,” “Improving the Properties of Reinforced Plastics Using the Resin Flow Control Method of Molding – Evaluation of Sealing Performance of Molded Plastic Parts –,” “The Relation Between Mirror SurfaceMachining and Transcription Accuracy in the Nano Range – Molded Surface Transcription Through Accurate Mirror Surface Mold –,” and “High Precise Milling Process by cBN End Mills.”

We are certain that you will find this issue both interesting and informative.

We thank the authors for their generous cooperation and the editing staff for their invaluable assistance.
Direct Fabrication of IC Sacrificial Patterns via Rapid Prototyping Approaches
Authors: Marwah Omar Mohd Faizan ,   Faculty of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia 86400 BatuPahat, Johor, Malaysia, Sharif Safian , Ibrahim Mustaffa ,   Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81300 Skudai, Johor, Malaysia
Published: April 2016

Patterns made from conventional wax materials in the Investment Casting (IC) process can easily be distorted, damaged, or broken in transportation or routine handling or due to exposure to heat. Alternatively, the strength and toughness of most Rapid Prototyping (RP) materials virtually eliminates this drawback due to their resistance to heat, humidity, and post curing. The current study is conducted to investigate the feasibility of using RP processes such as FDM and MJM to fabricate IC patterns from Acrylonitrile Butadine Styrene (ABS) and acrylate based materials respectively to be used directly in IC process. Evaluation of the effects of different internal pattern designs of the RP parts are conducted based on the thermal analysis approach and burnout properties of the RP patterns. Ceramic shell molds are fabricated on both RP patterns and subsequently placed in an oven which is gradually heated to 1000°C. The decomposition temperature and the residual ash of the RP pattern materials is determined and analyzed. Results show that the acrylate pattern ofMJMdecomposes rapidly compared to the ABS pattern from the FDM process. It is also observed that quasi and square hollow internal structures show better collapsibility or burnout properties, with no cracks, compared to cross pattern and cross hatch designs.
Permeability Performance on Porous Structure of Injection Mold Fabricated by Metal Laser Sintering Combined with High Speed Milling
Authors: Narahara Hiroyuki ,   Department of Mechanical Information Science and Technology, Kyushu Institute of Technology, 680-4 Kawazu, Iizuka-shi, Fukuoka 820-8502, Japan, Takeshita Sho , Fukumaru Hirofumi , Koresawa Hiroshi , Suzuki Hiroshi
Published: April 2016

Metal Laser Sintering Combined with High Speed Milling is the technology in which high speed cutting is united with the selective laser sintering process. By changing the conditions of laser beam irradiation, it is possible to build a sintered porous media which has a hole in an arbitrary part by this process. If the mold tool of this structure is used for injection molding, it is proved that the compressed air imprisoned in the mold and the gas coming out of resin are discharged from it, poor molding can be reduced. However, as sintered porous media is hard to control for the size and position of an ordered macroporous structure, it is difficult to build porous media with an ordered macroporous structure deliberately. This results in a smaller amount of airflow and a greater variation in airflow. In order to solve this problem, latticework is proposed as a new gas permeable structure in this paper. Different from a lower density sintered structure, metallic powder is sintered and fused using a laser beam with a high energy density, and fusion is carried out into the latticework structure. The fused gaps of the structure serve as a hole. Since each hole will keep the position and become the ordered macroporous structure even if lamination continues, the improvement in performance of gas permeability is expected. The airflow equation for the structural design to satisfy a required airflow rate is also examined in this paper.
Development of Inspection Machine that Detect Small Particles Added on Surface with Precise Pattern by Capturing Backwards Scattered Polarized Light
Authors: Nomura Tsuyoshi ,   Panasonic Corporation, 2-7 Matsuba-cho, Kadoma City, Osaka 571-8502, Japan, Nagasaki Tatsuo , Ito Masami
Published: April 2016

The paper discusses the development of inspectionmachine to detect small particle by capturing backwards scattered polarized light. The proposed optical system consists of very low angle (2°) horizontal line laser light withSpolarized characteristics and angle 150° backwards line CCD Camera to capturePpolarized light from particles on wafer or glass and so on. This system is confirmed to apply the real production of wafer or glass.
Motion Planning Method for Two Stacker Cranes in an Automated Storage and Retrieval System
Authors: Hino Hisato ,   Research into Artifacts, Center for Engineering (RACE), The University of Tokyo, 5-1-5 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-8568, Japan, Kobayashi Yoshimasa , Higashi Toshimitsu , Ota Jun ,   Murata Machinery, Ltd., 2 Nakajima, Hashizume, Inuyama-shi, Aichi 484-0076, Japan
Published: April 2016

In this paper, a motion planning method for two stacker cranes in an Automated Storage and Retrieval System (AS/RS) is proposed. For the cranes to operate cooperatively, they must perform tasks while avoiding collisions. In addition, the requirements, which include fast operation and short calculation time, must be satisfied, along with a specific mechanical constraint on the motion of the stacker cranes. For these problems, an approach is proposed in which a motion is generated on two levels. On the first, collision is avoided by using constraint on trajectories. A trajectory generated on this level ensures the shortest travel time. If a collision cannot be avoided on the first level, the system shifts to the second, in which heuristics are used for collision avoidance. The proposal is for highspeed heuristics based on a binary search. The effectiveness of the proposed algorithm is shown through simulations. The simulation results indicate that, in a layout of 60 racks in the horizontal direction and 10 in the vertical direction under standard task conditions, the method has an efficiency of 1.91 with respect to a single crane system and 1.66 seconds for the motion planning of one task when a computer with a 3.0 GHz CPU is used.
Experimental Verification of Chatter-Free Ball End Milling Strategy
Authors: Lu Lin ,   Kyocera Document Solutions Inc., 1-2-28 Tamatsukuri, Chuo-ku, Osaka 540-8585, Japan, Sato Masahiko , Tanaka Hisataka ,   Graduate School of Engineering, Tottori University, 4-101 Minami, Koyama-cho, Tottori 680-8552, Japan
Published: April 2016

Chatter vibration frequently occurs in ball end milling. If the characteristics of the cutting tool system and cutting process are known, chatter stability in ball end milling can be evaluated. Hence, in this paper, a chatter-avoidance strategy based on a regenerative chatter theory is proposed to prevent the occurrence of chatter. This consists of a simulation of chatter stability and cutting condition control. When the characteristics of a vibration system change, this chatter-avoidance strategy cannot cope with it. Therefore, another chatter-avoidance control algorism that changes cutting parameters on a machining center is proposed. This can adapt to the change in the characteristics of the vibration systemduring cutting. The effectiveness of the two chatter-avoidance methods proposed is examined through experiments.
Improvement of Welding Stability and Toughness Using Gas Metal Arc Welding in Pure Ar Shielding Gas
Authors: Nakamura Terumi ,   National Institute for Materials Science, 1-2-1 Sengen, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0047, Japan, Hiraoka Kazuo ,   Joining and Welding Research Institute, Osaka University, 11-1 Mihogaoka, Ibaraki, Osaka 567-0047, Japan
Published: April 2016

We develop a coaxial multilayer solid wire to use in Gas Metal Arc welding with pure Ar shielding gas (Ar-GMA welding). The oxygen concentration in weld metal that degrades the welded parts is reduced using by Ar-GMA welding. We produce stable welds with pure Ar shielding gas and obtain a high-quality joint with improved toughness.
Special Issue on Precision Positioning and Measurement Technologies
Authors: Dorantes-Gonzalez Dante Jorge
Published: April 2016

The design and analysis of highly accurate measurement systems and positioning devices play a strategic key role in such application fields as aeronautics, machine tools, microelectromechanical systems, and life sciences needing increasingly effective noncontact testing, detailed characterization, and accurate performance. This makes it vital for us to update our knowledge with new contributions involving both scientific cuttingedge investigations and the latest industrial developments. This special issue addresses the latest research and development advances in the design and analysis of MEMS precision positioning and micropump systems, the development and calibration of stereo vision systems for infrared measurement and object recognition tasks, optomechatronics technologies for surface planeness and tolerance dimension measurement, non-contact light-probe precision measurement, optic fiber sensors and surface acoustic wave techniques for nondestructive testing monitoring and collision avoidance tasks in welding robots. This is to thank the authors for their enthusiastic contributions and the editing staff for its efficient support. We hope you will find this special issue both interesting and useful.
Contour Object Generation Method for Object Recognition Using FPGA
Authors: Peña-Cabrera M. ,   Instituto de Investigaciones en Matemáticas Aplicadas y Sistemas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Apdo. Postal 20-726, México D.F., México, Lomas-Barrie V. , López-Juárez I. , Osorio-Comparán R. ,   CINVESTAV, Saltillo, Mexico
Published: April 2016

The article presents a method for obtaining the contour of an object in real time from non-binarized images for recognition purpose. The contour information is integrated into a descriptive vector named BOF used by a FuzzyARTMAP Artificial Neural Network (ANN) model to learn the object and then recognize it later. In this way, it is possible to obtain a learning process regarding the location and recognition of parts; to communicate to a robot arm the position and orientation information of an object for assembly purposes. Other method to obtain contour using binarized images, is compared with the described method in this paper in order to implement and test both in a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) architecture. Since an ANN can be implemented more efficiently in a parallel structure such as FPGA architecture can supply, it is desirable to implement an efficient algorithm for obtaining the object contour in the same way.
Special Issue on Difficult-to-Cut Materials
Authors: Yamane Yasuo
Published: April 2016

Nickel-based super alloys, Ti alloys, CFRP, hardened steels, etc., are widely used in aerospace, automobile, chemical, and other industries because of such superior properties as high operating temperature, superior specific strength, outstanding hardness and/or great toughness. These properties, however, also present difficulties in machining, cutting temperature, cutting, adhesiveness, chip controllability and wear. Other distinguishing properties include instable tool life, surface finishing and chip control in machining. This means that the stabilization of cutting is very important, especially when machining NC machine tools. Metal machining involves many parameters, such as cutting tools, cutting oil, cutting speed, feed rate, depth of cut, and machine use. A metal machining engineer therefore must decide all of these parameters to ensure their most suitable values under boundary conditions such as machining time, accuracy and the surface roughness of machined parts. Machining, especially of difficult-to-cut materials, is an optimization problem occurring under specified boundary conditions. Choosing machining parameters, including tool geometry and the most favorable features of work materials, must thus be figured out and optimum cutting conditions selected based both on metal machining theory and on practice. This special issue covers recent development in the machining of difficult-to-cut materials, including hardened steel, stainless steel, titanium alloys, Inconel 718, hard brittle materials and CFRP. All of the papers in this special issue are of great interest and value in machining these materials. We thank the authors for their invaluable submissions and the reviewers for their earnest efforts, without which this special issue would not have been possible.
Fabrication of Miniature Shell Structures of Stainless Steel Foil and Their Forming Limit in Single Point Incremental Microforming
Authors: Obikawa Toshiyuki ,   Institute of Industrial Science, the University of Tokyo, 4-6-1 Komaba, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 153-8505, Japan, Sekine Tsutomu ,   Department of Precision Engineering, School of Engineering, Tokai University, 4-1-1 Kitakaname, Hiratsuka-shi, Kanagawa 259-1292, Japan
Published: April 2016

Single Point Incremental Microforming (SPIMF) using neither dies nor a backing plate is applied to the fabrication of miniature shell structures of stainless steel foil in meso-scale. A piece of 8 µm-thick blank, which is held in a blank holder on a desktop forming machine, is incrementally formed with a thin, round-tip tool. Three kinds of polygonal pyramids are formed, and their forming limits are compared to those when 12 µm-thick aluminum foil is used. It is found that the forming limit of stainless steel foil in forming pyramids depends only on the tensile strain of a triangular lateral face, whereas that of aluminum foil depends on the sum of two principal tensile strains on the surface of a rounded lateral edge. It is also found that the forming limit of stainless steel foil can be drastically increased by SPIMF.
Effect of Carbon Fiber Orientation and Helix Angle on CFRP Cutting Characteristics by End-Milling
Authors: Hagino Masahiro ,   Department of Material and Environmental Engineering, Daido University, 10-3 Takiharu-cho, Minami-ku, Nagoya 457-8530, Japan, Inoue Takashi ,   Department of Mechanical Engineering, Daido University, 10-3 Takiharu-cho, Minami-ku, Nagoya 457-8530, Japan
Published: April 2016

Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastics (CFRP) have outstanding lightweight material characteristics and tensile strength. The use of CFRP in aerospace industry has been successfully implemented and is expected to grow in the future. However, the mechanical properties of CFRP are affected by differences in the distribution and orientation of the carbon fibers and their adhesion to the binding material. CFRP shows intense anisotropy in strength of carbon fiber depending on its mechanical properties and the state of the carbon fiber orientation. Therefore, the tool life shortest and the surface finish quality of the material becomes unstable and eventually difficult to cut. This paper presents the effect on carbon fiber orientation and helix angle with CFRP cutting characteristics by end milling. Here, three types of orientations weremachined by straight type end mills and constant cutting conditions with a cutting speed 70 m/min, a feed rate 0.056 mm/tooth and 3 mm depth of cut. Our results showed that the tool helix angle 0° gave a better surface finish than the other tools, irrespective of the fiber orientation. The helix angle is greatly affected by the exposure of the fibers from the surface. Axial force (Fz) is negligible quantity for helix angle 0°, and cutting force is low. The carbon fiber orientation of 45° and -45° has exfoliation-like dimples.
Development of Polishing Fluids for Titanium Alloy Using Lapping Tape – Effects of Components in the Polishing Fluids on Polishing Characteristics –
Authors: Tomoda Hideyuki ,   Central Research Institute, NEOS Co.Ltd., 1-1 Oike-cho, Konan, Shiga 520-3213, Japan, Kitajima Koichi ,   Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Science and Technology, Kansai University, 3-3-35 Yamate-cho, Suita, Osaka 564-8680, Japan
Published: April 2016

To polish to hard-to-cut titanium alloy (Ti-6Al-4V), a method employing a lapping tape is proposed and titanium alloy polishing fluids are developed. The effects of each of the components of a soluble polishing fluid on the polishing characteristics, such as surface roughness, tangential polishing resistance, and stock removal, are investigated through experiments. The results indicate that polishing only with a potassium oleate solution, which is a long-chain fatty acid solution, creates the best surface. A fatty acid is focused on, and the effects on the polishing characteristics of changing the carbon number are studied. As a result, it is found that surface roughness can be suppressed when titanium alloy is polished with only a fatty acid surfactant solution of carbon number 12 or higher.
Effects of Tool Edge Geometry on Cutting Temperature in Continuous Cutting of Case Hardened Steel
Authors: Tanaka Ryutaro ,   Graduate School of Engineering, Hiroshima University, 1-4-1 Kagamiyama, Higashi-Hiroshima, Hiroshima 739-8527, Japan, Hosokawa Akira , Furumoto Tatsuaki , Ueda Takashi ,   Institute of Science and Engineering, Kanazawa University, Kakuma-machi, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-1192, Japan
Published: April 2016

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of tool edge geometry on cutting temperature in the continuous cutting of case hardened steel. The tool edge temperature was measured using a two-color pyrometer with an optical fiber. The tool flank temperature increased with the negative land angle. When the flank wear VB was 0.05 mm, the tool flank temperature was only a little higher than with a new insert. However, when the flank wear VB was 0.1 mm, the tool flank temperature was dramatically higher. A horned insert resulted in higher tool flank temperature than when an insert without a horned edge was used. The tendency was remarkable at larger negative land angles and wider flank wear widths. Tool flank temperature increased with an increase in the nose radius of inserts. When comparing inserts with the same nose radius, the insert with the wiper edge caused higher tool flank temperatures than did the insert without the wiper edge.
Using Pulse Laser Processing to Shape Cutting Edge of PcBN Tool for High-Precision Turning of Hardened Steel
Authors: Suzuki Daisuke ,   Nagoya Institute of Technology, Gokiso-cho, Showa-ku, Nagoya, Aichi 466-8555, Japan, Itoigawa Fumihiro , Kawata Keiichi , Nakamura Takashi ,   Aichi Center for Industry and Science Technology, 157-1, Onda-cho, Kariya-shi, Aichi 470-0356, Japan
Published: April 2016

Polycrystalline Cubic Boron Nitride (PcBN) cutting tools have excellent characteristics, such as a high degree of hardness and low chemical reactivity, so they have the potential to replace the high precision grinding of hardened steel with high precision cutting. However, there are some problems inherent in so-called sintered materials, including low formability and unsteady wear. In order to solve these problems, pulsed laser processing is applied to shape a cutting edge. In this study, first PcBN cutting tools processed by lasers are adopted to the high-precision turning of hardened steel with 58HRC. As the result, these PcBN cutting tools provide a steady cutting state and a smoother finished surface. Second, in order to investigate these advantages of PcBN cutting tools processed by laser, individual requirements of the cutting tool are investigated: edge sharpness, surface quality including micro-defects, surface hardness, and friction coefficient. The results indicate that tools processed by laser have sharper edges and smoother, harder, and lowerfiction surfaces, compared to ground tools. Above all, the increase in surface hardness improves cutting performance because of it provides higher wear resistance.
Fabrication of Thin-Film Fresnel Optics by Combining Diamond Turning and Photolithographic Processes
Authors: Yan Jiwang ,   Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Science and Technology, Keio University, 3-14-1 Hiyoshi, Kohoku-ku, Yokohama 223-8522, Japan, Watanabe Kenta , Nakagawa Yutaro ,   Department of Mechanical Systems and Design, Graduate School of Engineering, Tohoku University, 6-6-01 Aoba, Aramaki, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8579, Japan
Published: April 2016

A novel fabrication process is proposed for manufacturing thin-film metal Fresnel lenses for X-ray applications. This process combines diamond turning technology and photolithographic processes. To prevent thin-film lens substrates from deflection during diamond turning, films were prepared on single crystalline silicon wafers by electrolytic plating. After the Fresnel lens structure is generated on the metal thin films by diamond turning, the silicon substrate was then removed selectively by reactive ion etching. Experimental results demonstrated that the proposed hybrid fabrication process achieves submicron form accuracy and nanometer surface roughness.
Fast Cutter Workpiece Engagement Estimation Method for Prediction of Instantaneous Cutting Force in Continuous Multi-Axis Controlled Machining
Authors: Kaneko Jun’ichi ,   Department of Mechanical Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Saitama University, 255 Shimo-Okubo, Sakura-ku, Saitama, Saitama 338-8570, Japan, Horio Kenichiro
Published: April 2016

In order to realize high productivity in rough machining processes, a fast simulation system is needed for multi axis controlled machining to predict instantaneous cutting force. The new efficient algorithm to estimate an engagement between the end mill cutter and the machined workpiece in continuous multi axis controlled machining processes is proposed. In order to shorten calculation time for the engagement area, and to improve the real-time prediction of instantaneous cutting force, a new concept is introduced for adapting ultra-parallel processing technology. The proposed method assumes the engagement as a large number of divisions located on the locus of cutting edges. The inclusion estimation process between an estimation point in each division and the machined workpiece volume is resolved into two kinds of simple inclusion estimation – and between the estimation point and tool swept volume and the other between the estimation point and initial workpiece shape. In this paper, a new prototype system based on parallel processing technology known as the general purposed graphic processing unit (GPGPU) is developed and the proposed algorithm is verified with the prototype system. The system shows good performance for complicated NC programs generated by commercial CAM system and realizes real-time simulation of instantaneous cutting force.
Surface Roughness Control Based on Digital Copy Milling Concept to Achieve Autonomous Milling Operation
Authors: Hirooka Toshihiko ,   Graduate School of Engineering, Kobe University, 1-1 Rokko-dai, Nada, Kobe 657-8501, Japan, Kobayashi Tomokazu , Hakotani Atsushi , Sato Ryuta , Shirase Keiichi ,   Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., 1-1 Morinosato-aoyama, Atsugi, Kanagawa 243-0123, Japan,   Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd., 1-1 Kawasaki-cho, Akashi, Hyogo 673-8666, Japan
Published: April 2016

An autonomous and intelligent machine tool that performs machining operations by referring to CAD product data was developed in our previous study to solve fundamental issues with the conventional command method, which uses NC programs. A system, Digital Copy Milling (DCM), digitizing the principle of copymilling, was developed to generate tool paths during milling operations for dynamic tool motion control. In the DCM, the cutting tool is controlled dynamically to follow the surface of a CAD model corresponding to product shape, eliminating the need for the preparation of NC programs. Active tool motion controls were also realized to enhance the function of DCM. In this study, surface roughness control of the finished surface is realized as an additional enhanced function of DCM to achieve autonomous milling operations. This function allows the DCM to select cutting conditions and generates tool paths dynamically to produce the desired surface roughness: from rough, through semi-finished, to finished. The verification experiment is successfully carried out.
Dynamic Response Analysis of Passive Wireless Surface Acoustic Wave (SAW) Strain Sensors Used for Force Measurement in Turning
Authors: Stoney Rory ,   Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering Department, Trinity College Dublin, Parsons Building Reception, Trinity College Dublin, College Green, Dublin 2, Ireland, Geraghty Dermot , O’Donnell Garret E.
Published: April 2016

Passive wireless surface acoustic wave (SAW) strain sensors offer significant advantages over alternative well known sensing technologies and can enable sensing applications robustly in very harsh environments. The passive wireless operation of SAW sensors is especially relevant given there is a drive for more robust and diverse sensing technologies in more complex and high performance applications. Wireless passive dynamic SAW strain sensing has been realised and has enabled force measurement during CNC turning. This paper demonstrates the SAW performance alongside two state of the art Kistler sensing technologies designed for this application area. Direct analysis and investigation of both static and dynamic signals is important for establishing bench-mark performancemetrics and the operational bandwidth of the SAW system.
Spindle Error Motion Measurement Using Concentric Circle Grating and Phase Modulation Interferometers
Authors: Madden Muhummad ,   Nagaoka University of Technology, 1603-1 Kamitomioka, Nagaoka, Niigata 940-2188, Japan, Aketagawa Masato , Uesugi Shuhei , Kumagai Takuya , Okuyama Eiki ,   Akita University, 1-1 Tegatagakuenmachi, Akita 010-8502, Japan
Published: April 2016

In the conventional methods of measuring radial, axial, and angular motions of a spindle concurrently, complicated reference artifacts with relative large volume, e.g., two balls linked to a cylinder, are required. A simple and small artifact is favorable from the viewpoint of accurate measurement. This paper describes a concurrent measurement of radial, axial, and angular spindle motions using concentric circle grating and phase modulation interferometers. In the measurement, concentric circle grating with fine pitch is installed on top of the spindle of interest. The grating is a reference artifact in the method. Three optical sensors are fixed over the concentric circle grating, to observe its proper positions. The optical sensor consists of a frequency modulated laser diode as a light source as well as two interferometers. One interferometer observes an interference fringe between reflected light from a fixedmirror and 0-th order diffraction light from the grating to measure the axial motion. Another interferometer observes an interference fringe between ± 2nd order diffraction lights from the grating tomeasure the radialmotion. Using three optical sensors, three axial displacements, and three radial displacements of the proper observed position of the grating can be measured. From these measured displacements, radial, axial, and angular motions of the spindle can be calculated concurrently. In this paper, a measurement instrument, a novel fringe interpolation technique using sinusoidal phase modulation, and experimental results are discussed.
Design of a Semi-Oval Shaped Ultrasonic Motor
Authors: Ho Shine-Tzong ,   National Kaohsiung University of Applied Sciences, 415 Chien Kung Road, Sanmin District, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan, R.O.C., Shin Yan-Jhang
Published: April 2016

A low voltage drive linear ultrasonic motor with a semi-oval shaped stator is proposed in this paper. In the stator, two multilayer piezoelectric actuators are clamped in the holder of the stator by pre-stressing to excite a semi-oval ring. The semi-oval shaped stator is designed to have normal vibration and tangential vibration modes, thus these two orthogonal mechanical vibration modes of the stator can be excited to generate elliptical motion at the contact point of the stator. In design of the motor, ANSYS finite element analysis software was used in this study to accomplish the design and analysis. A prototype motor was fabricated and measured. For single phase signal driving, typical output of the prototype is a no-load speed of 88 mm/s and maximum thrust force of 1.96 N at a voltage of 16 Vp. For two sine wave signals driving, typical output of the prototype is a no-load speed of 106 mm/s and maximum thrust force of 3.33 N at a voltage of 16 Vp.
Fabrication of Microstructures on RB-SiC by Ultrasonic Cavitation Assisted Micro-Electrical Discharge Machining
Authors: Liew Pay Jun ,   Department of Mechanical Systems and Design, Tohoku University, 6-6-01 Aoba, Aramaki, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8579, Japan, Shimada Keita , Mizutani Masayoshi , Yan Jiwang , Kuriyagawa Tsunemoto ,   Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Science and Technology, Keio University, 3-14-1 Hiyoshi, Kohoku-ku, Yokohama 223-8522, Japan,   Manufacturing Process Department, Faculty of Manufacturing Engineering, Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka, Hang Tuah Jaya, 76100 Durian Tunggal, Melaka, Malaysia
Published: April 2016

Ultrasonic cavitation assisted micro-electrical discharge machining was used to fabricate microstructures on reaction-bonded silicon carbide. To aid the removal of debris from the machining gap and to obtain a good surface finish, carbon nanofibers were added into the dielectric fluid. The suspension of carbon nanofibers in the dielectric fluid and the cavitation bubble effect induced by the vibration of the dielectric fluid proved to be effective in reducing the deposition of tool material on the workpiece surface. The tool material deposition rate was found to be significantly affected by the vibration amplitude and the distance between the oscillator and the workpiece. With a hemispherical electrode and inclined workpiece, high accuracy micro-dimples could be obtained within a short time. A nanometer-level surface finish was successfully obtained on a hard-brittle RB-SiCmoldmaterial.
Ultraprecision Glass Molding Press for Microgrooves with Different Pitch Sizes
Authors: Kobayashi Ryuichi ,   Graduate School of Engineering, Tohoku University, 6-6-01 Aoba, Aramaki, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8579, Japan, Zhou Tianfeng , Shimada Keita , Mizutani Masayoshi , Kuriyagawa Tsunemoto ,   School of Mechanical Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, Building 1, No.5 Zhongguancun South Street, Haidian District, Beijing 100081, P.R.China
Published: April 2016

Glass molding press is an efficient manufacturing technology to fabricate microstructures on glass. To optimize the experimental conditions for precision replication of periodic microstructures with different pitch sizes, Finite Element Method (FEM) simulation and experiments were carried out to study the glass molding press process. First, the effects of the change in pitch size on stress and geometrical replicating accuracy were evaluated. Thereafter, glass molding experiments were carried out to form microstructures on the glass surface, and the molded microstructures were measured. By comparing the simulation results with experimental results, the FEM simulation was experimentally verified, and the optimal machining conditions were obtained and discussed.
Special Issue on Measurement Technology for Process and Product Quality Control
Authors: Takaya Yasuhiro , Maeda Tomohiko
Published: April 2016

A broad sense of values, globalization, and ecology is needed in production activities because production processes are becoming rapidly more complex due to demands for downsizing, functionality, quality. This is in addition to cost reduction, shorter lead times, and energy saving in fabrication. Many types of measurement system and large amounts of production information are therefore needed in production engineering. In-process and on-machine measurements are used to evaluate a variety of machining factors and conditions and work done on machine tools. With increasingly complex machining processes and greater needs for accuracy and precision, the demand for advances in process optimization has also grown. This special issue covers manufacturing metrology and quality management as its two main fields of interest, together with their important implications for science, industry, and engineering. This special issue also covers novel in-process and on-machine measurement and sensing and quality management techniques now being widely applied to production engineering, focusing on the important role of measurement in manufacturing technology as it progresses from inspection tools to strategic production tools in managing process quality and product quality control. The advanced papers in this special issue present the latest advancements in these fields, ranging from fundamental research to industrial applications. These reports will thus enable readers to share their experience and knowledge in technology, new development, and potential applications of promising techniques in measurement and in product and process quality control. We thank the authors for their invaluable contributions and the reviewers for their always useful advice, which have helped make this special issue both fascinating and far-reaching.
Measurement of Cutting Edge Width of a Rotary Cutting Tool by Using a Laser Displacement Sensor
Authors: Ito So ,   Tohoku University, 6-6-01 Aramaki Aza Aoba, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi 980-8579, Japan, Sekine Sho , Shimizu Yuki , Gao Wei , Fukuda Tsutomu , Kato Akira , Kubota Kouji ,   MMC RYOTEC CORPORATION, 1528 Yokoinakashinden, Godo-cho, Anpachi-gun, Gifu 503-2301, Japan
Published: April 2016

This paper introduces the widthmeasurement of a cutting tool edge by utilizing a laser triangulation displacement sensor. By using the reflected light intensity of the laser displacement sensor, micrometric edge width which is smaller than the diameter of the laser beam spot can be measured. With regard to the quantitative evaluation of the laser spot diameter, a calibration method of the laser spot diameter is achieved by using the pin-gauges. The diameter of the laser spot is obtained by using the pin-gauges, and the relationship between the reflected light intensity and the diameter of the pin-gauges are investigated. The width of the cutting tool edge is measured by the calibrated laser spot diameter, and then the reproducibility is evaluated.
Effects of Morphology of Nanodots on Localized Surface Plasmon Resonance Property
Authors: Phuc Truong Duc ,   Department of Mechanical and Control Engineering, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 2-12-1 Ookayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 152-8550, Japan, Yoshino Masahiko , Yamanaka Akinori , Yamamoto Takatoki ,   Department of Mechanical Systems Engineering, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 2-24-16 Nakacho, Koganei-shi, Tokyo 184-8588, Japan
Published: April 2016

In this paper, authors report the effects of process parameters of thermal annealing method on the morphologyand Localized Surface Plasmon Resonance (LSPR) property of gold nanodots. Results show that the nanodots aggregated on a quartz glass substrate are large and sparse, while the nanodots aggregated on a silicon substrate are small and dense. The peak of the absorbance spectra is shifted to a longer wavelength and becomes broader when the gold film is thicker. The absorbance intensity increases with the increase in the gold film thickness. Increase the annealing temperature and/or the annealing time result in a blue shift of the absorbance peak and a decrease in the peak intensity. It is found that the variation in the absorbance peak wavelength and peak intensity closely correlates to the variation in the average circularity of the nanodots. This result suggests that the LSPR of nanodots can be tuned by controlling themorphology, specifically the circularity, of the nanodots.