Search Results for machine

Machine vision, also referred to as computer vision or intelligent vision, is a means of simulating the image recognition and analysis capabilities of the human eye and brain system with digital techniques. The machine vision functionality is extremely useful in inspection, supervision, and quality control applications. This article presents a variety of machine vision functions for different purposes and provides a comparison of machine and human vision capabilities in a table. It discusses the processes of a machine vision system: image acquisition, image preprocessing, image analysis, and image interpretation. The article provides information on the uses of machine vision systems in three categories of manufacturing applications: visual inspection, identification of parts, and guidance and control applications.

This article presents the analytics challenges in additive manufacturing. It discusses the types and applications of data analytics. Data analytics can be classified into four types: descriptive, diagnostic, predictive, and prescriptive. The diverse applications of data analytics and machine learning include design, process-structure-properties (PSP) relationships, and process monitoring and quality control. The article also presents tools used for data analytics.

The use of additive manufacturing (AM) is increasing for high-value, critical applications across a range of disparate industries. This article presents a discussion of high-valued engineering components predominantly used in the aerospace and medical industries. Applications involving metal AM, including methods to identify pores and voids in AM materials, are the focus. The article reviews flaw formation in laser-based powder-bed fusion, summarizes sensors used for in situ process monitoring, and outlines advances made with in situ process-monitoring data to detect AM process flaws. It reviews investigations of ML-based strategies, identifies challenges and research opportunities, and presents strategies for assessing anomaly detection performance.

Machining of cast iron involves removing metal from the cast part, usually by cutting with a power-driven machine tool. This article discusses the factors that influence machinability, the methods used to evaluate machinability of cast irons, the effects of cast iron microstructure on cutting tool life, and the importance of as-cast surface integrity on the machining variation. It presents examples of cutting tool materials selection for different cast iron grades, and describes the effects of coolants on the machining of cast irons. A chart showing different cutting materials and cutting speed ranges for selected iron-carbon alloys is also presented. Different types of cutting tool wear observed during turning are schematically illustrated.

The ultrasonic machining (USM) process consists of two methods, namely, ultrasonic impact grinding and rotary USM. This article lists the major ultrasonic components that are similar to both rotary USM and ultrasonic impact grinding. It also provides schematic representations of the components used in rotary USM and ultrasonic impact grinding. The article describes the operations of the components of the rotary ultrasonic machine and ultrasonic impact grinding machine. It discusses the applications of the rotary ultrasonic machine: drilling, milling, and surface grinding. The article concludes with information on machining characteristics of ultrasonic impact grinding.

This article discusses the properties of beryllium metals that require special attention when machining. It provides information on the considerations of S65 and selects 65 beryllium materials that are used for conducting tool wear studies and surface damage studies. The article highlights some of the precautions to be followed while machining beryllium metals. Information on the cutting oils, cutting tools, and speeds and feeds used in turning the beryllium are also provided. The article describes the chemical milling and photochemical machining methods that are used for etching beryllium components.

Electrochemical machining (ECM) is the controlled removal of metal by anodic dissolution in an electrolytic cell in which the workpiece is the anode and the tool is the cathode. This article begins with a description of the ECM system and then discusses the primary variables that affect current density and the material removal rate in the ECM process. It reviews the various characteristics of electrolytes and considers tool material and design. It also provides an overview of the properties of the workpiece and defines the surface finish and accuracy of an electrochemically machined sample. The variety of work done by electrochemical machining is also exemplified in the article.

Photochemical machining (PCM), also known as chemical blanking, is a metal-etching process that uses a photoresist to define the locations where the metal will be etched. This article describes the major steps used in the PCM process, namely, the preparation of the phototool, selection of the metal, preparation of the workpiece, masking with photoresists, etching, and stripping and inspection. The article reviews various design considerations for the PCM process. These include dimensional limitations, tolerances, and edge quality. The article also discusses the advantages, disadvantages, and applications of the PCM process.

The machinability of carbon and alloy steels is affected by many factors, such as the composition, microstructure, and strength level of the steel; the feeds, speeds, and depth of cut; and the choice of cutting fluid and cutting tool material. This article describes the influence of the various attributes of carbon and alloy steels on machining characteristics. It lists the relative machinability ratings for some plain carbon steels, standard resulfurized steels, and several alloy steels. The addition of lead to carbon steels is one of the means of increasing the machinability of the steel and improving the surface finish of machined parts. Low carbon content of carburizing steels may be beneficial to tool life and production rate. The sulfur content of through-hardening alloy steels can significantly affect machining behavior. Cold drawing generally improves the machinability of steels containing less than about 0.2% carbon.

This article discusses four subsystems of the electrochemical machining (ECM) system: power source, electrolyte cleaning and supply system, tool and tool-feed system, and workpiece and workpiece-holding system. It describes the theory of ECM and provides information on the electrolytes used in ECM. The article reviews the methods associated with workpiece shape prediction. The procedures and integrated approach for the tool design in ECM are discussed. The article also explains the process control, capabilities, and the limitations of ECM. It concludes with information on the applications of ECM.

An understanding of the influence of microstructure on machinability can provide an insight into more efficient machining and the correct solution to problems. Providing numerous microstructures to depict examples, this article describes the relationship between the microstructure and machinability of cast irons, steels, and aluminum alloys. It presents data on hardness values and the effect of the matrix microstructure of cast iron on tool life. It also explains how a higher inclusion count improves the machinability of steels and why aluminum alloys can be machined at very high speeds.

Machining or material removal processes are secondary manufacturing operations that are used to achieve precise tolerances or to impart controlled surface finishes to a part. This article summarizes rules for designing parts to improve machined part quality and reduce machining costs in mass and batch production environments. It discusses the factors affecting the total cost of a machining operation, including raw material costs, labor costs, and equipment costs. The article describes three types of machining systems, namely, general-purpose machine tools, production machining systems, and computer numerically controlled (CNC) machining systems. It reviews general design-for-machining rules that are applicable to all parts, regardless of the type of equipment used to produce them. Special considerations for production machining systems and CNC machining systems are discussed. The article describes the structure and typical uses of computer-aided process planning and design-for-manufacturing programs.

This article discusses the factors influencing cast iron machining and selection of cutting fluid and cutting tool materials. It presents a comparison of machinability of different types of cast iron, namely, gray cast iron, ductile cast iron, and malleable cast iron. In addition, the article provides an overview of different methods used in the machining of cast iron, namely, turning, boring, broaching, planing and shaping, drilling, reaming, counterboring and spotfacing, tapping, milling, grinding, and honing and lapping. Nominal speeds and feeds for the machining of cast iron with single-point and box tools, ceramic tools, high-speed steel, and carbide tools are also tabulated.

This article provides information on the operating principle, tool material and design changes, and safety and protection of various multifunction machines as well as the cutting fluids used. These include single-spindle automatic lathes, manual turret lathes, single-spindle automatic bar and chucking machines, Swiss-type automatic bar machines, multiple-spindle automatic bar and chucking machines, and multiple-spindle vertical chucking machines. The article provides examples that illustrate typical variations in dimensions obtained with a multiple-spindle machine. It also describes the machinability and provides information on the physical condition of the work metal. The article discusses the various factors to be considered in the selection of an appropriate machine. It presents examples that describe the techniques and equipment selected for specific production applications. In addition, the article discusses the types, applications, advantages, and disadvantages of machining centers and transfer machines. Finally, it provides the goals, objectives, and production techniques of flexible manufacturing systems.

This article provides an overview of the independent and dependent variables of a machining process. Independent variables include workpiece material, specific machining processes, and tool materials and geometry. Cutting force and power, surface finish, and tool wear and failure are some dependent variables discussed. The article also describes the relations between the input variables and process behavior.

Abrasive jet machining (AJM) is a process that removes material from a workpiece through the use of abrasive particles entrained in a high-velocity gas stream. This article discusses the operation of principal components, advantages, and disadvantages of the AJM system. It describes several factors that determine the characteristics of the AJM process. These include flow rates of the jet stream, type and size of abrasive powders, and distance between the workpiece and nozzle.

This article discusses the mechanics of chip formation and reviews the analytical modeling of the chip formation process by high-speed machining within the framework of continuum mechanics. It examines the relationship between the various high-speed machining parameters. The article describes the cutting tool systems for aluminum alloys, steel, superalloys, and titanium alloys and provides an overview of the alternative cutting tool geometries for increasing tool life. It highlights the factors considered by companies planning to employ high-speed machining systems and concludes with information on the applications of high-speed machining.