Chatter suppression with an active workpiece holder

The productivity of machine tools is often limited due to chatter vibrations caused by relative displacements between the tool and the workpiece. The following article presents the systematic approach of the integration of an active workpiece holder with two high dynamic axes controlled by piezoelectric actuators onto a milling machine. With these additional highly dynamic axes near the tool center point, the active workpiece holder offers possibilities to prevent chatter vibrations.     

Covariance matrix adapted evolution strategy algorithm-based solution to dynamic economic dispatch problems

This article presents a covariance matrix adapted evolution strategy (CMAES) algorithm to solve dynamic economic dispatch (DED) problems. The DED is an extension of the conventional economic dispatch problem, in which optimal settings of generator units are determined with a predicted load demand over a period of time. In this article, the applicability and validity of the CMAES algorithm is demonstrated on three DED test systems with a sequential decomposition approach. The results obtained using the CMAES algorithm are compared with results obtained using the real-coded genetic algorithm, the Nelder–Mead simplex method, and other methods from the literature. To compare the performance of the various algorithms, statistical measures like best, mean, worst, standard deviation, and mean computation time over 20 independent runs are taken. The effect of population size on the performance of the CMAES algorithm is also investigated. The simulation experiments reveal that the CMAES algorithm performs better in terms of fuel cost and solution consistency. Karush–Kuhn–Tucker conditions are applied to the solutions obtained using the CMAES algorithm to verify optimality. It is found that the obtained results satisfy the Karush–Kuhn–Tucker conditions and confirm optimality.     

Characteristics of pulse electrodeposited AgGaSe2 films

In this work, the pulse electrodeposition technique has been employed for the first time to deposit AgGaSe₂ films. The films were deposited at room temperature from a bath containing Analar grade 10 mM silver nitrate, 10 mM gallium nitrate and 10 mM SeO₂. The deposition potential was maintained as—0.68 V (SCE). Tin oxide coated glass substrates (5.0 ohms/sq) was used as the substrate. The duty cycle was varied in the range of 6–50 %. The XRD profile of the thin films deposited at different duty cycles indicate the peaks corresponding to AgGaSe₂. Atomic force microscopy studies indicated that the surface roughness increased from 0.95 to 1.25 nm with duty cycle. The transmission spectra exhibited interference fringes. Refractive index of 2.71 was observed in the wavelength range 600–1,000 nm. Electrochemical Impedance studies indicated a single semicircle. The grain boundary resistance decreased with increase of duty cycle.     

Assessments of Class F fly ashes for amelioration of soil acidity and their influence on growth and uptake of Mo and Se by canola

Coal fly ash can be used to ameliorate productivity constraints in agricultural soils, but their efficacy still remains highly variable. To ascertain the capacity of Class F fly ashes to modify pH of acidic soils, and their effects on the yield and uptake of molybdenum (Mo) and selenium (Se) by canola (Brassica napus L.), we applied two acidic and two alkaline Class F ashes at rates equivalent to 0, 12, 36, and 108 Mg/ha to the top layer (0-10 cm) of 100 cm long intact cores of acidic sandy clay and clay loam soils. Only the alkaline ash which had the highest calcium carbonate equivalent (2.43%) increased the pH of the top 10 cm of the sandy clay soil. However, this ash was also highly saline and when applied at ?36 Mg/ha it increased the electrical conductivity in the top soil layer. Increases in soil pH as a result of alkaline ash addition also elevated concentrations of Se in the plant shoot. The ashes with high concentrations of Mo and Se generally increased uptake of these elements in the plant shoot and/or seed. When these ashes were applied at 108 Mg/ha they increased the concentrations of these elements in the treated topsoil.     

2-[(E)-{(1S,2R)-1-Hydroxy-1-phenylpropan-2-ylimino}methyl]phenol for Inhibition of Acid Corrosion of Mild Steel

2-[(E)-{(1S,2R)-1-hydroxy-1-phenylpropan-2-ylimino}methyl]phenol has been synthesized and its influence on corrosion of mild steel in 1?M HCl solution has been studied by means of weight loss and electrochemical measurements under various circumstances. The inhibitor showed a maximum of 91?% of inhibition efficiency at 100?ppm. Interestingly, the inhibition efficiency has decreased on increasing the inhibitor concentration. This abnormal behavior is attributed to the release of phenolic hydrogen from the molecule. The mechanism of corrosion inhibition follows Langmuir adsorption isotherm. The negative ?G _ads indicates the spontaneous adsorption of the inhibitor on mild steel surface. Potentiodynamic polarization studies show that it is a mixed type inhibitor with predominant cathodic inhibition. UV?CVisible spectroscopy of the inhibitor and inhibitor adsorbed on the mild steel confirmed the chemical interaction of the inhibitor with the metal surface.     

Active compensation for portal machines

The cutting performance of a machine tool is mainly determined by its static and dynamic behavior. During a cutting process high static and dynamic forces may occur, which result in instabilities of the cutting process. Especially, long protruding structure components, such as z-slider of a portal machine, represent a distinct weak spot concerning their structural behavior. The structure integrated compensation modules represent a new approach to compensate static and dynamic deformations of slider structures and help to achieve a considerable improvement of their compliancy behavior.     

Experimental Studies on Supersonic Cold Flow Mixing with Ramp Mixers

The mixing field in a supersonic cold flow past a set of compression–expansion ramps mounted at the downstream end of a strut, with staged injection at two tandem locations on the strut upstream of the ramps, has been experimentally investigated. Air and helium have been used to inject into a primary stream of air at an inlet Mach number of 2.0. Two test section geometries, one having a flow cross section twice that of the other, have been considered. The larger test section has wall struts as well as a middle strut, whereas the smaller one has the strut only in the middle. Terminal bulk pressure and wall static pressure measurements, and Schlieren visualization have been performed. The Mie scattering technique has been used to obtain the concentration contours of the injectant across the flow cross section at several axial locations downstream of the injection points. The results indicate better mixing with helium injection and less influence of the boundary layer along the test section walls with the larger test section, as expected.     

The impact behavior of aluminum alloy 6061: Effects of notch severity

In this paper the influence of notch acuity and test temperature on the impact behavior of aluminum alloy 6061 is presented and discussed. Notch angles of 45°, 60°, 75° and 90° were chosen for a standard charpy impact test specimen containing two such notches positioned at right angles to the applied load. For a given angle of the notch the dynamic fracture toughness increased with an increase in test temperature. At a given test temperature, the impact toughness of a ductile microstructure decreased with an increase in notch severity. For the least severe notch dynamic fracture surfaces revealed the occurrence of localized mixed-mode deformation at the elevated temperature. An increase in notch severity resulted in essentially Mode-I dominated fracture at all test temperatures. The results are discussed in light of alloy microstructure, fracture mechanisms and deformation field ahead of the advancing crack tip.     

Influence of notch severity on the impact fracture behavior of aluminum alloy 7055

In this paper, the conjoint influence of notch severity and test temperature on the impact behavior of an Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloy 7055 in the T7751 microstructural condition is presented and discussed. Notch angles of 45°, 75° and 90° were chosen for a standard charpy impact test specimen containing two notches. For a given angle of the notch the increase in dynamic fracture toughness, with test temperature, is most significant for the least severe of the notches, i.e. 45°. At a given test temperature, the impact toughness of the T7751 microstructure decreased with an increase in notch severity. An increase in notch severity resulted in essentially Mode I dominated fracture at all test temperatures. The influence of localized mixed-mode loading is minimal for the alloy has low dynamic toughness. The impact fracture behavior of the alloy is discussed in light of alloy microstructure, mechanisms governing fracture and the deformation field ahead of a propagating crack.