Investigation of the Operational and Technological Reliability of the Small-size Internal Threading Process

The article presents the results of research in the direction of improving technological equipment for internal threading of parts in a flexible automated production. Methods for assessing the operational and technological reliability of a flexible manufacturing module (FMM) of thread processing are considered, which can be used as the basis for the developed method of synthesis of its elements. It is proposed to consider the technological system of the flexible manufacturing module (FMM) of thread processing as a system in which transitions from state to state occur under the action of the simplest flows with parameters of the transition probabilities of a continuous Markov chain. The developed mathematical model describing the state of the FMM taking into account the failures of the functioning of its elements, parametric failures, as well as taking into account the recovery after these types of failures, makes it possible to reflect the influence on the operation of the module of the parameters of the flows of failures and restorations of the tool, machine tool, fixture, loading device. The solution of the obtained systems of equations of final probabilities allows for given (or experimentally obtained) intensities of failure streams (functioning and parametric) for FMM threading to obtain the values of the probability of failure-free operation, as well as the probabilities of finding the system in an inoperative state due to corresponding failures. The measures taken make it possible to solve the synthesis problem at the level of structural and layout optimization, so that at the stage of parametric synthesis to determine the elements that are vulnerable according to the developed criterion, the improvement of which will lead to the creation of the most efficient system.

Development of auto loading device in bearing positioning lip stamping

With the continuous development of our economy, the types and quantity of engine bearing are increasing. In order to prevent the bearing moving in the bearing pedestal, one or both ends of the bearing need to make positioning lip for axial positioning. In order to meet the needs of mass bearing production, an auto loading device for positioning lip of bearing is proposed in this paper. The horizontal conveyor belt and loading guide are used to make the blank turn to the required angle, and then the double cylinder valve and push rod motor are used to realize the time-sharing conveying and continuous loading of the blank. During the loading process, there are inclined slideway and blocking plate to avoid the collision between blanks and ensure the reliable loading bearings. Through the actual production verification, the developed device has the advantages of simple structure, low cost, fine working stability, and made great improving in the efficiency and safety for production of bearing.

The MRI-based 3D morphologic changes of knee meniscus under knee weight-bearing and early flexion conditions

There are few studies investigate morphologic changes of knee meniscus in vivo mechanical loading and three-dimensions (3D) deformation and displacement of the whole meniscus between in vivo mechanical loading and unloading conditions are still unclear. To investigate the displacements and 3D morphological changes of the menisci under knee weight-bearing and early flexion conditions in healthy adults using a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)-compatible loading device (a 3.0 T MR imaging system) combined with a newly developed 3D comparison technique. Fifteen healthy volunteers were recruited in this cross-sectional observational study. Each subject underwent MRIs of their dominant right knee in eight different scanning conditions using a 3.0-T MRI scanner with a custom-made MRI-compatible loading device. The knee meniscus images were 3D reconstructed, and dimensional comparisons were made for each meniscal model with baseline (0°-unloaded model). The morphologic changes of the meniscal-anterior horn (AH), body (BD), and posterior horn (PH) regions were expressed as mean positive and negative deviations. The displacements were further investigated, and the meniscal extrusions of different subregions were measured. The morphologic changing patterns of human meniscus under loading and flexions were presented using 3D chromatic maps. The bilateral menisci were generally shifting laterally and posteriorly in most flexion angles and were changing medially and anteriorly under fully extended knee loading conditions. The mean deviations were more significant with loading at 0° of knee flexion, while the PH region in the lateral side changed further posteriorly with loading in 30° flexion. Most of the differences were not significant in other flexion angles between loading conditions. The extrusion of meniscus’s medial body was greater in full extension compared to any other flexing angles. Mechanical loading can significantly deform the menisci in knee extension; however, this effect is limited during knee flexion. Current study can be used as a reference for the evaluations of the integrity in meniscal functions.

The Effect of Mechanical Stress on Ligamentum Flavum Hypertrophy; Utilization of Novel In Vitro Multi-torsional Stretch Loading Device

ObjectiveWe developed a novel multi-torsional mechanical stretch stress (MSS) loading device for ligamentum flavum (LF) cells and evaluated its influence on the development of ligamentum flavum hypertrophy (LFH), a common cause of lumbar spinal canal stenosis.Materials and MethodsStretch strength of the device was optimized by applying 5% and 15% MSS loads for 24, 48, and 72 h. A cytotoxicity assay of human LF cells was performed and the results were compared to control (0%) MSS. Inflammatory markers (interleukin [IL]-6, IL-8), vascular endothelial growth factor [VEGF], and extracellular matrix (ECM)-regulating cytokines (matrix metalloproteinase [MMP]-1, MMP-3 and MMP-9, and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase [TIMP]-1 and TIMP-2) were quantified via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.ResultsUsing our multi-torsional MSS loading device, 5% MSS for 24 h was optimal for LF cells. Under this condition, the IL-6 and IL-8 levels, VEGF level, and MMR-1, MMR-3, and TIMP-2 were significantly increased, compared to the control. ConclusionUsing the novel multi-torsional MSS loading device we confirmed that, mechanical stress enhances the production of inflammatory cytokines and angiogenic factors, and altered the expression of ECM-regulating enzymes, possibly triggering LFH. This discovery enhances our understating of the effects of mechanical stress on LFH.