Although there are a number of variations of drive technologies for motion applications, there are a few that are used for the majority of systems being built today. These most common drives do take a bit of understanding before applying.

Optimization of Multiple Quality Characteristics for Dry Drilling Ti-6Al-4V Using TiAlN-Coated Carbide Tool

2014-01-910501/01/2015

The present paper aims at optimization of multiple quality characteristics (dimensional accuracy and surface roughness) in dry drilling Ti-6Al-4V using TiAlN-coated carbide tool while the controllable factors are spindle speed and feed rate. To do so, desirability methodology is used to explore optimum conditions for concurrent optimization of the addressed quality characteristics. Central composite design (CCD) is used for experimentation. In order to create reliable models describing the process behavior, response surface methodology (RSM) is used.

Faqeeh, Akram, El-Gizawy, Ahmed Sherif

Improving AFP Cell Performance

2014-01-227209/16/2014

The Automated Fiber Placement (AFP) machine layup run time in large scale AFP layup cells consumes approximately 30% of the entire part build time. Consequentially, further reductions to the run time of the AFP machine part programs result in small improvements to the overall cycle time. This document discusses how Electroimpact's integrated system and cell design reduces the overall cycle time by reducing the time spent on non-machine processes.

Rudberg, Todd, Nielson, Justin, Henscheid, Mike, Cemenska, Joshua

An Experimental Analysis of Ultrasonic Vibration Assisted Tapping of Ti-6Al-4V

2014-28-002404/28/2014

Tapping is an important process in assembly of aircraft structures because on an average one millions of tapped holes are made on an aircraft structure. However, sudden breakage of the tap is the most undesirable event frequently encountered during the tapping process. In particular, this can mostly occur when small diameter internal threads are made in a ‘difficult-to-cut’ material like titanium. For this reason, it has been a topic of industrial interest in the manufacturing sector for many years. The ultrasonic vibrations assisted tapping (UVAT) is a novel manufacturing technology, where ultrasonic vibrations are provided to the work piece in the axial direction. The present work is a comprehensive study involving experimental characterization. The experimentation shows that UVAT reduces the torque during tapping as compared to that of in conventional process. There is a 19.1% reduction in torque and about 20.3% reduction in cutting temperature in UVAT over that of in CT. The

Pawar, Swapnil, Patil, Sandip, Joshi, Suhas, Singh, Rajkumar

Geometric and Thermal Error Compensation for CNC Milling Machines Based on Newton Interpolation Method

17-227-4-77104/01/2013

The fast and accurate modeling for machine errors is an important step for the implementation of error compensation. In this article, a new approach for real-time compensation of geometric and thermal errors is presented, including an accurate error model and a real-time error compensation system. An experiment is carried out on a three-axis milling center to obtain machine positioning errors under different temperatures. A serial of error data collected under normal temperature is regarded as the basic error and modeled with the machine position coordinates based on Newton interpolation method which is also used for modeling the other error curves under different working temperatures in order to get their coefficients of fitting formulas. According to the relationship among these formulas, all the coefficients and the corresponding temperature variations are modeled using the Newton interpolation method again. The final compensation model can be obtained by substituting the

Wang, Wei, Zhang, Yi, Yang, Jianguo, Zhang, Yusheng, Yuan, Feng

An Investigation of Cutting Force and Tool-Work Interface Temperature in Milling of Al-SiCp Metal Matrix Composite

16-227-3-36203/01/2013

Aluminum-SiC particulate metal matrix composites have attracted much interest in recent years among practitioners and researchers in the field of aerospace, automobile, nuclear, electronic packaging and other industries due to their low coefficient of thermal expansion, high strength and stiffness, hardness, wear and corrosion resistance properties. The present study focuses on aluminum A356 alloy with four different volume % of SiC particle-reinforced metal matrix composites synthesized by vacuum hot-pressing technique to achieve uniform dispersion of finer reinforcement over the matrix with higher densification. In order to study the machinability issues of the developed composites, computer numerical control end milling studies were conducted using central composite experimental design by varying cutting speed, feed and depth of cut, and the responses such as cutting forces and tool-work interface temperature were measured. The effect of machining parameters and reinforcement on the

Jayakumar, K., Mathew, Jose, Joseph, M. A.

Cutting Tool Technology for Machining Composite Curing Tools

2012-01-187509/10/2012

In the present study, a fully controlled experimental protocol is used to investigate the difference in milling Invar and HexTool® for composites curing tools. The main difference is the use of the different strategies: conventional milling is better than climb milling, high feed/low speed better than low feed/high speed, high depth of cut better than low depth of cut, air coolant better than water coolant, diamond coating better than solid carbide, sand finishing better than chip removal, torus tools better than ball nose tools. Therefore, using metal machining strategy on composite curing tools leads to cracking and delaminations in the composite surface which causes the resin flow to infiltrate these cracks during the molding process. Consequently, parts demolding will destroy the surface of the curing tool and make it unusable without repair. The new technology approach will lead to a higher integrity of the composite surface and enhance the life cycle of the curing tool.

Mueller-Hummel, Peter

High-Accuracy Robotic Drilling/Milling of 737 Inboard Flaps

2011-01-273310/18/2011

The processes of drilling and milling Boeing 737 inboard flaps at Triumph Aerostructures have been enhanced by an accurate articulated robotic system. Tool point positioning is handled by an off-the-shelf 6-axis KUKA KR360 robot riding on a linear axis. Each of the 7 axes is enhanced with secondary position encoders. A single process head performs all required functions, including one-sided pressure application, touch probing, barcode scanning, drilling/countersinking, measurement of hole diameter and countersink depth, and face milling. The system is controlled by a Siemens 840Dsl CNC which handles all process functions, robot motion, and executes software technologies developed for superior positional accuracy including enhanced kinematics, automated normality correction, and anti-skid correction. The layout of the assembly cell allows the robot to span four fixture zones. Part programs are generated offline in the Catia environment using an offline programming and simulation package

Devlieg, Russell

Single, Stationary Lens Able to Create Microscopic 3D Images

TBMG-992305/01/2011

A lens that enables microscopic objects to be seen from nine different angles at once to create a 3D image has been developed. Other 3D microscopes use multiple lenses or cameras that move around an object; the new lens is the first single, stationary lens to create microscopic 3D images by itself.

Nozzles for Focusing Aerosol Particles

TBMG-884712/01/2010

Several nozzles have been designed to aerodynamically focus aerosol particles into a small-diameter jet, so that individual particles can be illuminated by a laser beam and their light scattering and/or laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) spectra can be measured. An additional nozzle can aerodynamically puff selected particles out of the airstream so that they can be sorted and collected.

Is It Time to Try Direct Digital Manufacturing?

TBMG-845809/01/2010

Over the past 20 years, additive manufacturing technology has migrated from use in rapid prototyping to a full-fledged manufacturing solution, which is referred to as “direct digital manufacturing” (or rapid manufacturing). Increasingly, companies are applying it to manufacturing applications, and with each success, they prove that it is a viable alternative. While the general concept of additive manufacturing is the same as when it was introduced 20 years ago, the change is in its intended use — production, not just prototyping. So while the concept has been around for a while, in the minds of many, direct digital manufacturing (DDM) is a new and difficult concept to understand.

Chemical Machining of Microscopic Holes and Grooves in Glass

TBMG-733902/05/2010

A technique for making precise, microscopic holes and grooves in glass workpieces has been invented. The technique differs from both (1) traditional macroscopic mechanical drilling and milling and (2) conventional micromachining that involves etching through photolithographically patterned masks. The technique can be used, for example, to make holes between 20 µm and 1 mm in diameter.

Making Complex Electrically Conductive Patterns on Cloth

TBMG-286206/01/2008

A method for automated fabrication of flexible, electrically conductive patterns on cloth substrates has been demonstrated. Products developed using this method, or related prior methods, are instances of a technology known as “e-textiles,” in which electrically conductive patterns are formed in, and on, textiles. For many applications, including high-speed digital circuits, antennas, and radio frequency (RF) circuits, an e-textile method should be capable of providing high surface conductivity, tight tolerances for control of characteristic impedances, and geometrically complex conductive patterns. Unlike prior methods, the present method satisfies all three of these criteria. Typical patterns can include such circuit structures as RF transmission lines, antennas, filters, and other conductive patterns equivalent to those of conventional printed circuits.

Spot Friction Welding of Mg-Mg, Al-Al and Mg-Al Alloys

2008-01-014404/14/2008

Spot friction welding is considered a cost-effective method for joining lightweight automotive alloys, such as magnesium and aluminum alloys. An experimental study was conducted to investigate the strength of spot friction welded joints of magnesium to magnesium, aluminum to aluminum, magnesium to aluminum and aluminum to magnesium. The joint structures and failure modes were also studied.

Agarwal, Lavish, Mallick, P. K., Kang, H. T.

Split-Block Waveguide Polarization Twist for 220 to 325 GHz

TBMG-265003/01/2008

A split-block waveguide circuit that rotates polarization by 90° has been designed with WR-3 input and output waveguides, which are rectangular waveguides used for a nominal frequency range of 220 to 325 GHz. Heretofore, twisted rectangular waveguides equipped with flanges at the input and output have been the standard means of rotating the polarizations of guided microwave signals. However, the fabrication and assembly of such components become difficult at high frequency due to decreasing wavelength, such that twisted rectangular waveguides become impractical at frequencies above a few hundred gigahertz. Conventional twisted rectangular waveguides are also not amenable to integration into highly miniaturized subassemblies of advanced millimeter- and submillimeter- wave detector arrays now undergoing development. In contrast, the present polarization-rotating waveguide can readily be incorporated into complex integrated waveguide circuits such as miniaturized detector arrays

Flexible Template for Drill Feed Units

2007-01-385009/17/2007

Flexi-Temp is the name give to the revolutionary design of drill jig that enables the drilling of holes that are normal to an exposed surface, without the need of a 5 axis machined drill jig. The Flexi-Temp jig is essentially a series of loose laminates that are held together using a 2-part drill jig bush. The loose jig can be pinned into piloted datum holes, allowing the jig to find the form of the work piece. The bushes / sleeves can be tightened / locked which creates a rigid jig, capable of withstanding applied forces during the drilling machine medium of your choice. Once set, the jig can be removed and refitted over and over, only requiring resetting for recertification purposes.

Wiemann, Axel, Leverington, Scott

Lug Cutting and Trimming of the Carbon Fibre Wing Panels of the Airbus A400m with Portable Hand Positioned Tools

2007-01-379509/17/2007

The Airbus A400m has carbon fibre wing panels on both the upper and lower surfaces. When manufactured, these panels come supplied with various lugs on the periphery of the panel. Some are used for lifting the panel, some are used for indexing the panel; however, all lugs must be removed at some time during wing build. Lug thickness varies from 4mm to 14mm; in addition, many lugs must be cut to a 2D profile rather than just straight. The main challenge of the project was to deliver a tool that was small, portable and compact, but that could also accurately slot thick carbon fibre panels, without de-lamination, leaving a good surface finish. The solution was an air powered routing hand tool that was mechanically guided along a 2D path using a cam profile. Special diamond grit cutters were used to cut the initial slot and reduce the machining forces to a bare minimum, with the finishing cut done using a PCD router bit to obtain a good surface finish.

Richards, Barry, Howard, Kenny, Williams, Stephen

Mechanical Alloying for Making Thermoelectric Compounds

TBMG-218609/01/2007

An economical room-temperature mechanical alloying process has been shown to be an effective means of making a homogeneous powder that can be hot-pressed to synthesize a thermoelectric material having reproducible chemical composition. The thermoelectric materials to which the technique has thus far been applied with success include rare-earth chalcogenides [La3–xTe4 (0 < x < 0.33) and La3–xYbyTe4 (0 < x < 1, 0 < y < 1)] and Zintl compounds (including Yb14MnSb11 and Yb14BiSb11). The synthesis of a given material consists of the room-temperature thermomechanical- alloying process followed by a hot-pressing process. Relative to synthesis of nominally the same material by a traditional process that includes hot melting, this synthesis is simpler and yields a material having superior thermoelectric properties.

RASCAL Facility

TBMG-TB-00463208/03/2007

In-house antenna measurement laboratory enables cutting-edge radio frequency aperture research. AFRL's Radiation and Scattering Compact Antenna Laboratory (RASCAL) enables researchers to develop and evaluate advanced aperture technologies that support electronic warfare, radar, communication, and navigation- technologies supplementing a variety of applications as the "eyes and ears" of the warfighter. Current research efforts are concentrated on developing relatively small and inexpensive broadband, multifunctional antennas, as well as conformal and structurally integrated antennas for manned and unmanned air vehicles. Using the RASCAL facility, researchers can perform the necessary fabrication, simulation, testing, and measurement of aperture technologies.

Fabrication of Buried Nanochannels From Nanowire Patterns

TBMG-201907/01/2007

A method of fabricating channels having widths of tens of nanometers in silicon substrates and burying the channels under overlying layers of dielectric materials has been demonstrated. With further refinement, the method might be useful for fabricating nanochannels for manipulation and analysis of large biomolecules at single-molecule resolution. Unlike in prior methods, burying the channels does not involve bonding of flat wafers to the silicon substrates to cover exposed channels in the substrates. Instead, the formation and burying of the channels are accomplished in a more sophisticated process that is less vulnerable to defects in the substrates and less likely to result in clogging of, or leakage from, the channels.

Fabrication of Buried Nanochannels From Nanowire Patterns

TBMG-TB-00201906/29/2007

Sacrificial nanowires are buried, then etched away to form buried channels. A method of fabricating channels having widths of tens of nanometers in silicon substrates and burying the channels under overlying layers of dielectric materials has been demonstrated. With further refinement, the method might be useful for fabricating nanochannels for manipulation and analysis of large biomolecules at single-molecule resolution. Unlike in prior methods, burying the channels does not involve bonding of flat wafers to the silicon substrates to cover exposed channels in the substrates. Instead, the formation and burying of the channels are accomplished in a more sophisticated process that is less vulnerable to defects in the substrates and less likely to result in clogging of, or leakage from, the channels.

Automated Serial Sectioning for 3D Reconstruction

TBMG-TB-00144203/20/2007

Automation increases speed and reduces uncertainty in alignment. Figure 1 depicts some aspects of an apparatus and method for automated serial sectioning of a specimen of a solder, aluminum, or other relatively soft opaque material. The apparatus includes a small milling machine (micromiller) that takes precise, shallow cuts (increments of depth as small as 1 μm) to expose successive sections. A microscope equipped with an electronic camera, mounted in a fixed position on the micromiller, takes pictures of the newly exposed specimen surface at each increment of depth. The images are digitized, and the resulting data are subsequently processed to reconstruct three-dimensional (3D) features of the specimen.

Core-Cutoff Tool

TBMG-138403/01/2007

A tool makes a cut perpendicular to the cylindrical axis of a core hole at a predetermined depth to free the core at that depth. The tool does not damage the surrounding material from which the core was cut, and it operates within the core-hole kerf.

RASCAL Facility

TBMG-463202/01/2006

AFRL’s Radiation and Scattering Compact Antenna Laboratory (RASCAL) enables researchers to develop and evaluate advanced aperture technologies that support electronic warfare, radar, communication, and navigation— technologies supplementing a variety of applications as the “eyes and ears” of the warfighter. Current research efforts are concentrated on developing relatively small and inexpensive broadband, multifunctional antennas, as well as conformal and structurally integrated antennas for manned and unmanned air vehicles. Using the RASCAL facility, researchers can perform the necessary fabrication, simulation, testing, and measurement of aperture technologies.

Equipment for On-Wafer Testing From 220 to 325 GHz

TBMG-154201/01/2006

A system of electronic instrumentation, constituting the equivalent of a two-port vector network analyzer, has been developed for use in on-wafer measurement of key electrical characteristics of semiconductor devices at frequencies from 220 to 325 GHz. A prior system designed according to similar principles was reported in “Equipment for On-Wafer Testing at Frequencies Up to 220 GHz” (NPO-20760), NASA Tech Briefs, Vol. 25, No. 11 (November 2001), page 42. As one would expect, a major source of difficulty in progressing to the present higherfrequency- range system was the need for greater mechanical precision as wavelengths shorten into the millimeter range, approaching the scale of mechanical tolerances of prior systems.

Automated Fastening and Milling Machine for Complex Aircraft Structures

2005-01-328910/03/2005

The demands of fulfilling the continually increasing customer requirements always forces suppliers to improve their system solutions to be more-state-of-the-art. The fastening / milling machine discussed allows for the combined fastening / milling / drilling of complex aircraft structures. The equipment described fulfills high precision manufacturing requirements including economic constraints. The system provides flexibility to handle different aircraft panels and types. This paper is intended to describe and focus on the main aspects of this state-of-the-art technology in automated fastening / milling / drilling processes to meet the important customer production criteria. Furthermore, it shall explain the integration by presenting a current example of the process.

Neugebauer, Lutz, Conover, Dan

Finned-Ladder Slow-Wave Circuit for a TWT

TBMG-38101/01/2004

A finned-ladder structure has been invented in an effort to improve the design of the slow-wave circuit of a traveling-wave tube (TWT). The point of departure for the design effort was a prototype TWT that contains a ring-plane slow-wave circuit (see Figure 1). The design effort was a response to the observation that despite the high-power capabilities of the ring-plane TWT, its requirement for a high supply voltage and its low bandwidth have made it unacceptable for use outside a laboratory setting.

Automated Serial Sectioning for 3D Reconstruction

TBMG-144208/01/2003

Figure 1 depicts some aspects of an apparatus and method for automated serial sectioning of a specimen of a solder, aluminum, or other relatively soft opaque material. The apparatus includes a small milling machine (micromiller) that takes precise, shallow cuts (increments of depth as small as 1 μm) to expose successive sections. A microscope equipped with an electronic camera, mounted in a fixed position on the micromiller, takes pictures of the newly exposed specimen surface at each increment of depth. The images are digitized, and the resulting data are subsequently processed to reconstruct three-dimensional (3D) features of the specimen.

Preparation of Regular Specimens for Atom Probes

TBMG-765006/01/2003

A method of preparation of specimens of non-electropolishable materials for analysis by atom probes is being developed as a superior alternative to a prior method. In comparison with the prior method, the present method involves less processing time. Also, whereas the prior method yields irregularly shaped and sized specimens, the present developmental method offers the potential to prepare specimens of regular shape and size.

Deforming Fibrous Insulating Tiles To Fit Curved Surfaces

TBMG-101012/01/2002

A curved tile of refractory silica-fiber-based or alumina-fiber-based thermal-insulation material can be formed from an initially flat billet in a process that includes pressing against a curved mold surface during heating. The mold or tile curvature can be concave or convex. Curved tiles are needed for thermal protection of curved surfaces of spacecraft reentering the terrestrial atmosphere; curved thermal-protection tiles may also be useful on Earth in some industrial applications.

Die Development and Manufacturing Through Standardization, Geometric 3D Data, and Computing Resources

2002-01-349711/19/2002

This paper presents an efficient methodology for the development and manufacturing of production resources for the trimming and shaping of sheet-metals, also known as trim, fold, forming, and flanging dies, among others. This methodology is synthesized in the standardization and structuring concept of the items that make up the stamping tool set. By means of computing resources, such as CAD systems, and the adoption of this method, it is possible to generate solid tridimensional models, even from a complex set of tools for stamping. This information will be essential to reduce time and cost at the tool design and manufacturing stages.

de Paula, Flavio Gesca Verissimo

Lightweight Foam Pads for Helmets

TBMG-725211/01/2002

Special foam pads have been developed for use in helmets. The foams in these pads have been formulated to obtain a combination of light weight, resistance to oxidation, flame retardance, superior shock-absorbing properties, and physical comfort during long use. In the original application, the pads are intended especially for use in supporting the heads of reclining astronauts during launch, providing a slight upward tilt so that the astronauts can see critical panels, switches, and checklists more easily. Modified versions of the pads and foams may be useful on Earth in helmets for motorcyclists, athletes, and others.

Millimeter-Wave Dichroic Plates for High Angles of Incidence

TBMG-739708/01/2001

Dichroic plates for cutoff wavelengths down to about a millimeter and high angles of incidence can be fabricated by numerically controlled milling of rectangular arrays of waveguide slots in half-wavelength-thick metal plates. A plate of this type is used to separate higher- and lower-frequency components of incident electromagnetic radiation linearly polarized along a specified axis; the plate is designed to reflect most of the incident electromagnetic radiation at frequencies below its cutoff frequency while allowing most of the radiation at higher frequencies to pass through.

Making Submicron Features by Ion Etching Through PMMA Masks

TBMG-2964810/01/2000

Experiments have shown that a substrate can be patterned with submicron features by the following procedure:

Dr. Reitzle's prescription for Jaguar

AUTOSEP00_0209/01/2000

His vision for the brand is to “use top-level technology and do so in a very emotional way.” Dr. Wolfgang Reitzle, Group Vice President of Ford's Premier Automotive Group (PAG) - which includes Jaguar, Land Rover, Aston Martin, Volvo, and Lincoln - is a man of strong opinions with a clear vision of what his group's brands will achieve during the next five years. Each has a cachet, in varying intensity, of exclusivity, luxury, and individual capability, and Reitzle's task is to ensure that they grow in terms of unit sales each year without jeopardizing that special position. Jaguar Cars - of which he is Chairman - is of particular interest because its sales are now on the increase, from 50,000 in the late 1990s towards a target of at least 200,000, and the likelihood - if the F-type sports car gets the production green light - of reaching 220,000 to 250,000. Interviewed by AEI, Reitzle said: ‘Two years ago Jaguar just had the XJ sedan and XK sports cars. Now we have the S-type

Birch, Stuart

Boundary-Layer Rake of Pitot Tubes for Flight Testing

TBMG-2981912/01/1999

A boundary-layer rake of pitot tubes has been designed and built for installation on a flight-test fixture (FTF) on the NASA Dryden F-15B, which is a two-seat version of the F-15 high-performance, supersonic, all-weather fighter airplane. This boundary-layer rake will be used in flight-research projects in which there are requirements for detailed surveys of the turbulent boundary layer. A design feature unique to this rake is a curved rake body; this feature makes it possible to cluster the pitot tubes in the near-wall region more densely than they can be clustered in conventional rakes. Results of tests have shown that this rake exhibits good aerodynamic performance and that it is operationally rugged.

The Next Generation of Automated Hole Cold Expansion

1999-01-343710/06/1999

In an effort to simplify and speed up manufacturing time for aircraft structure, a pure mechanical system has been developed by Fatigue Technology Inc. (FTI) to perform the Split Sleeve Cold Expansion (SsCx™) process to fastener holes. Historically, fastener holes requiring cold working for fatigue life enhancement are cold worked with a system which requires a manual hydraulic puller. This system works well and has been in place for more than 30 years. This paper will discuss a new type of system that uses a simplified mechanical-only process that does not require hydraulic pneumatic or electrical systems. This new type of Automated Cold Expansion™ (AtCx™) puller unit has recently been fitted to an automated work cell that machines aircraft sub-components. This new cold expansion puller utilizes only simple rotary motion and converts it to a linear motion. The puller can be fitted to any kind of automated work cell, NC machine, or drilling and riveting equipment. BF Goodrich Aerospace

Restis, Jude, Wirz, Len

Evaluation of Chip-Tool Interface Conditions using Transparent Tools

1999-01-156304/20/1999

In-situ high speed photographic observations through transparent ceramic cutting tools have been used to observe the dynamic contact interactions at the chip-tool interface while cutting commercially pure copper under a range of cutting speeds and rake angles. Under all conditions it is observed that the chip slides over the rake surface of the tool close to the cutting edge. Under low cutting speeds some chip material is transferred to the tool where the chip curls out of contact with the tool in the form of a fairly thick deposit. At higher cutting speeds a fine layer of chip material is transferred to the tool closer to the cutting edge and the thick deposits formed at lower speed are removed. The tendency for deposition is decreased as the rake angle is decreased. In all cases the dynamic nature of the cutting process and the slow evolution of the deposition are clearly evident.

Gomatam, Harikeshavan, Madhavan, Viswanathan

The Theory of Cost Risk in Design

1999-01-049503/01/1999

In a recent paper (Hoult & Meador, [1]) a novel method of estimating the costs of parts, and assemblies of parts, was presented. This paper proposed that the metric for increments of cost was the function log (dimension/tolerance). Although such log functions have a history,given in [1], starting with Boltzman and Shannon, it is curious that it arises in cost models. In particular, the thermodynamic basis of information theory, given by Shannon [2], seems quite implausible in the present context. In [1], we called the cost theory “Complexity Theory”, mainly to distinguish it from information theory. A major purpose of the present paper is to present a rigorous argument of how the log function arises in the present context. It happens that the agrument hinges on two key issues: properties of the machine making or assembling the part, and a certain limit process. Neither involves thermodynamic reasoning. Such abstruse agruments should hardly interest the readers of engineering articles

Hoult, David P., Meador, C. Lawrence

Cost and Lead-Time Implications of Robotic Patternmaking in the Manufacture of Body Press Tooling

98227109/29/1998

The manufacture of polystyrene patterns and castings used for body press tooling represent a significant proportion of the tooling procurement costs. The combined use of 3D modelling and computer aided machining using an integrated multi-axis Robotic system has been shown to give benefits of reductions in both pattern lead time and manufacturing cost. Furthermore the production of a consistent cast tool profile and a reduced machine stock provide additional cost and time savings in the machineshop as well as an improved quality product. Case studies are discussed together with details of the developments undertaken to achieve the optimum tooling parameters for the machining of the polystyrene patterns.

Taylor, D. M., Haigh, P. M., Wallis, R., France, S. P.

Items per page:

1 – 50 of 77