Optimal Viscous Damper Placement Using Level Set Topology Optimization Method

Vibration control has always been of great interest for many researchers in different fields, especially mechanical and civil engineering. One of the key elements in control of vibration is damper. One way of optimally suppressing unwanted vibrations is to find the best locations of the dampers in the structure, such that the highest dampening effect is achieved. This paper proposes a new approach that turns the conventional discrete optimization problem of optimal damper placement to a continuous topology optimization. In fact, instead of considering a few dampers and run the discrete optimization problem to find their best locations, the whole structure is considered to be connected to infinite numbers of dampers and level set topology optimization will be performed to determine the optimal damping set, while certain number of dampers are used, and the minimum energy for the system is achieved. This method has a few major advantages over the conventional methods, and can handle damper placement problem for complicated structures (systems) more accurately. The results, obtained in this research are very promising and show the capability of this method in finding the best damper location is structures.

Strength Evaluation and Failure Prediction of a Composite Wind Turbine Blade Using Finite Element Analysis

Strength evaluation and failure prediction on a modern composite wind turbine blade have been conducted using finite element analysis. A 3-dimensional finite element model has been developed. Stresses and deflections in the blade under extreme storm conditions have been investigated for different materials. The conventional wood design turbine blade has been compared with the advanced E-glass fiber and Carbon epoxy composite blades. Strength has been analyzed and compared for blades with different laminated layer stacking sequences and fiber orientations for a composite material. Safety design and failure prediction have been conducted based on the different failure criteria. The simulation error estimation has been evaluated. Simulation results have shown that finite element analysis is crucial for designing and optimizing composite wind turbine blades.

Beam-Like Major Compliant Joint Methodology for Automotive Body Structures

One of major difficulties in developing and employing a concept model of a vehicle is to develop a simple and accurate model of joints. A vehicle joint is a subassembly formed by several members that intersect together. It is a thin-walled structure formed by overlapping metal sheets fastened by spot welds. The study of the joints has been important, because they can deform locally. This flexibility can affect noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) characteristics of a vehicle plus other structural performance characteristics under different loading conditions. The main difference between various kinds of concept models is the representation of body joints. Joints are important components of the auto body because they affect significantly, and in some cases, they even dominate, the static and dynamic behavior of a model. This paper introduces a new beam-like major compliant joint methodology. Joints are simulated with different parametric representations that present the major differences among various concept models. The development procedure of the beam-like major compliant joint is explained and the benefits of using this representation are discussed.

Experimental Determination of Parameters to Avoid Arcing in Electrical Discharge Machining of Titanium Diboride Particulate Reinforced Ferrous Matrix Composite

Titanium diboride (TiB2) particles are most popular reinforcement along with tungsten carbide for ferrous matrices for developing composites with high specific modulus, improved wear resistance and hardness while providing good fatigue properties as well. The hardness of such composites poses a problem in conventional machining in terms of very fast wear rates of tools and very high cutting forces. Non-conventional processes like electrical discharge machining (EDM) are very popular for machining of conductive composites like TiB2 reinforced ferrous matrix composites. However, there are a large number of process parameters for EDM which need to be selected and controlled carefully for satisfactory machining performance. Parameter settings which lead to arcing are specifically investigated and avoided as this phenomenon leads to uncontrolled machining through short circuit conditions and large energy discharges. In this paper, an experimental approach to determine the parameter settings which will lead to arcing during EDM machining of TiB2 particulate reinforced ferrous matrix composite is discussed. Values of major EDM process parameters are selected in roughing, intermediate and finishing domains. Experimental trials using L27 design of experiment are conducted and parameter combinations leading to arcing are recorded and the zone of parameters that can lead to arcing is identified.

Design and Testing of Innovative Rotational Mould Heated by Thermal Fluid

Rotomoulded plastic parts have no internal stresses, as it is a process carried out at lower temperatures than injection moulding and no pressure is applied. The main disadvantage is the high cycle times needed. This paper focuses on reducing this cycle time and in producing a mould using standardized parts. For cycle time reducing, it is proposed to heat the mould by thermal fluid in continuous circulation; heat transfer processes have been studied for over 20 different configurations of the oil’s inlet – outlet, obtaining acceptable results with a manifold with 25 perforations in the front and rear faces. This configuration has been optimized by computational fluids dynamics, allowing reducing heating and cooling time and improving the energetic efficiency and the uniformity of heating. Design, simulations and testing of a 100 mm3 cube have been carried out in order to produce a standardized mould; this mould consists in some standardized parts and a nickel shell, obtained by rapid prototyping and electroforming process. This shell can be removed from the rest of elements in the mould, allowing thus to obtain parts with any other geometry just by changing the nickel shell. An experimental machine for testing has been developed as well.

Comparison of Motion Characteristics of High Performance CNC Rotary Tables

In this paper, the motion performances of the two rotary tables which are driven by roller gear cam and direct drive motor are measured and compared. The table with roller gear cam was controlled in semi-closed loop and full-closed loop methods while the other was controlled only in full-closed loop method. In the measurements, the positioning accuracy and repeatability, rotational fluctuation, frequency response, step response and etc of the systems were measured. All these tests were carried out without any kind of compensation methods such as pitch error or cogging torque compensation etc. Three rotary encoders for rotary table with roller gear cam and one rotary encoder for rotary table with direct drive motor were used for measurements. Furthermore, the simulations were carried out by mathematical models and the results were compared with measured results. The comparison shows that the measured and simulated results have a good agreement. From the simulation results, the friction torque was identified and also compared. The results imply that though both the tables show high performances, the performances of the rotary table driven by roller gear cam are comparatively higher than that of rotary table driven by direct drive motor.

Innovative Design of Lightweight on Board Hydrogen Storage Tank

The hydrogen economy envisioned in the future requires safe and efficient means of storing hydrogen fuel for either use onboard vehicles, delivery on mobile transportation systems or high-volume storage in stationary systems. The main emphasis of this work is placed on the high -pressure storing of gaseous hydrogen on-board vehicles. As a result of its very low density, hydrogen gas has to be stored under very high pressure, ranging from 350 to 700 bars for current systems, in order to achieve practical levels of energy density in terms of the amount of energy that can be stored in a tank of a given volume. This paper presents 3D finite element analysis performed for a composite cylindrical tank made of 6061-aluminum liner overwrapped with carbon fibers subjected to a burst internal pressure of 1610 bars. As the service pressure expected in these tanks is 700 bars, a factor of safety of 2.3 is kept the same for all designs. The results indicated that a stress reduction could be achieved by a geometry change only, which could increase the amount of pressure sustained inside the vessel and ultimately increase the amount of hydrogen stored per volume. Such reductions in the stresses will decrease the thickness dimension required to achieve a particular factor of safety in a direct comparison to a cylindrical design.

Eulerian FEA With Volume of Solid (VOS) Application in Metal Forming

The adaptation of the volume of fluid method (VOF) to solid mechanics (VOS) is presented in this work with the focus on metal forming applications. The method is discussed for a general non-uniform mesh with Eulerian finite element formulation. The implementation of the VOS method in metal forming applications is presented by focusing on topics such as the contact between the tool and the workpiece, tracking of the free surface of the material flow and the connectivity of the free surface during the whole process. Improvement on the connectivity of the free surface and the representation of curves is achieved by considering the mechanics of different metal forming processes. Different applications are simulated and discussed to highlight the capability of the VOS method.

Improvement in Surface Quality With Molybdenum Disulphide as Solid Lubricant in Turning AISI 4340 Steel

It is generally considered that the heat produced during the machining process is critical in terms of workpiece quality. Relatively high friction effects in machining cause heat generation that can lead to poor surface quality of a machined part. Coolant and lubrication therefore play decisive roles in machining. Cutting fluids are introduced in the machining zone to improve the tribological characteristics of machining processes and also to dissipate the heat generated, but they are partially effective within a narrow working range. In addition, they also create some techno-environmental problems. Solid lubricant assisted machining is a novel concept to control the machining zone temperature without polluting the environment. Solid lubricant, if employed properly, could control the machining zone temperature effectively by intensive removal of heat from the machining zone. Therefore, the aim of present study is to investigate the effect of molybdenum disulphide as solid lubricant in the zone of machining. Experiments were carried out to investigate the role of solid lubricant such as molybdenum disulphide on surface finish of the product in machining a AISI 4340 steel by coated carbide inserts of different tool geometry under different cutting conditions. Results indicate that the effectiveness of solid lubricant is substantial through the experimental domains.

Determining the Tool Life of a Cemented Carbide Drill Using Optimized Process, Delivery System, and Drill Design Parameters in Deep Hole Drilling Using Environment Friendly Machining Method

Near dry machining or Minimum Quantity Lubrication (MQL) methodology appears to be a valid solution to meet environmental challenges of metal removal processes. However, in order to implement environmentally friendly machining into high production manufacturing environments, it is imperative to invent a robust solution for a wide variety of machined features. In previous work by the authors, capabilities of the MQL process, calibrated for machining extremely deep holes with length to diameter (L/D) ratio of up to 15, were proven. An optimal machining solution was developed using the Box and Behnken experimental design approach, and it was demonstrated that cemented carbide drills with proper cutting geometry and MQL settings can be used for deep hole drilling of aluminum. This work, focused on developing a production ready application, proved that MQL technology is also robust enough to achieve adequate tool life for high volume manufacturing requirements. It actually exhibited that such approach may even exceed tool life requirements currently enforced for conventional processes using gun drills or G-drills. In addition, machining time was significantly reduced with this innovative technology achieving productivity approximately 7 times higher than in traditional drilling operations. Considering these achievements, MQL has been demonstrated to be the drilling technology of future that will help reducing capital investments into production machinery and minimize landfill discharges of high production manufacturing facilities.