Folding assembly of micro-actuators

A muscle-inspired linear actuator that combines many piezoelectric micro-actuator “cells” into a single functional unit is designed and fabricated via folding assembly technique. A bow-shaped epoxy beam structure amplifies the very small displacement of a thin film lead zirconate titanate (PZT) beam, generating a large orthogonal contractive displacement of 15.24 μm in a footprint of 515 μm. Then, three sets of three actuator cells are assembled out of plane by folding about thin gold hinges connecting each set. With the folded triplet array, an unblocked displacement of 5.16 μm and blocking force of 6.31 μN were obtained.     

Effects of critical plasma spray parameter and spray distance on wear resistance of Al2O3-8 wt.%TiO2 coatings plasma-sprayed with nanopowders

Effects of plasma spraying conditions on wear resistance of nanostructured Al₂O₃-8 wt.%TiO₂ coatings plasma-sprayed with nanopowders were investigated in this study. Five kinds of nanostructured coatings were plasma-sprayed on a low-carbon steel substrate by varying critical plasma spray parameter (CPSP) and spray distance. The coatings consisted of fully melted region of γ-Al₂O₃ and partially melted region, and the fraction of the partially melted regions and pores decreased with increasing CPSP or decreasing spray distance. The hardness and wear test results revealed that the hardness of the coatings increased with increasing CPSP or decreasing spray distance, and that the hardness increase generally led to the increase in wear resistance, although the hardness and wear resistance were not correlated in the coating fabricated with the low CPSP. The main wear mechanism was a delamination one in the coatings, but an abrasive wear mode also appeared in the coating fabricated with the low CPSP. According to these wear mechanisms, the improvement of wear resistance in the coating fabricated with the low CPSP could be explained because the improved resistance to fracture due to the presence of partially melted regions might compensate a deleterious effect of the hardness decrease.     

Disassembly leveling and lot sizing for multiple product types: a basic model and its extension

We consider two interrelated problems that occurred in disassembly systems: disassembly leveling and lot sizing. Disassembly leveling, one of disassembly process planning decisions, is to determine disassembly structures that specify parts and/or subassemblies to be obtained from disassembling used/end-of-life products, and disassembly lot sizing is the problem of determining the amounts of disassembly operations required to satisfy the demands of their parts and/or subassemblies. Unlike the existing studies, this study considers the two problems at the same time for the objective of minimizing the sum of disassembly setup and operation costs. In particular, we consider a generalized version in which disassembly levels may be different even for products of the same type. Two types of the problem are considered in this study. The first one is the basic problem without parts commonality, i.e., products do not share their parts or subassemblies, for which a polynomial time optimal algorithm is suggested after developing a mathematical programming model. The second one is an extended problem with parts commonality. After developing another mathematical programming model for the extension, we prove that it is NP hard. Then, a heuristic algorithm is suggested together with its computational results.     

Vibration analysis of a planetary gear system based on the transfer matrix method

This study models a 3-dimensional planetary gear system using the transfer matrix method. The local transfer matrices between each component of the planetary gear set were derived with consideration of the tooth width, and the transfer matrix of a planetary gear system corresponding to the inertial transfer matrix was determined. The eigenvalue analysis of the transfer matrix suggested an analysis method in the form of a lambda matrix, instead of the direct search method through a characteristic polynomial. The boundary conditions at the first and the last stations of the entire transfer matrix were partitioned into known and unknown values to generate a concentrated transfer matrix and a latent equation, and the eigenvalue problem in the lambda matrix was solved. The characteristics of the responses according to the phase state of the harmonic component of the transmission error were reviewed through the steady-state response and mode shape type.     

Manufacturing process of bezel frame for strength-reinforced TFT LCD module by progressive hemming of SUS304 stainless steel sheet

In this study, the design procedure for a progressive multi-hemming forming process has been proposed for manufacturing bezel frames for strength-reinforced TFT LCD (Thin-film-transistor liquid-crystal display) modules. First, a strength analysis was performed using Finite element (FE) simulations to determine the minimum number of required folding edges. Subsequently, anoother FE analysis was carried out in order to investigate the effects of the process parameters on the dimensional accuracy of the bezel frame and to design the progressive hemming process. The analytical results were validated by hemming experiments performed using SUS304 stainless steel with a thickness of 0.3 mm. Finally, the quality of the bezel frame was estimated through measurements of its dimensional accuracy and bending stiffness. From the experimental results, it was confirmed that a bezel frame with a height distribution of 1.5±0.05 mm and a respectable bending stiffness of 70 N/mm could be manufactured using the proposed process.     

Coil design optimization for an induction evaporation process: Simulation and experiment

For the purpose of utilizing induction heating in the evaporation process, the effects of induction coil design and droplet size on induction heating efficiency are investigated. Electro-magnetic simulations with various induction coil designs were conducted to predict the electro-magnetic field distribution. The induction coils were fabricated in order to verify the simulation results under atmospheric evaporation test conditions. The electro-magnetic simulation results indicated that the magnetic field became widened around the Zn droplet when the size of the Zn droplet increased. This in turn attributed to the increase in induction heating energy efficiency. The energy efficiency of the induction coil with 4-windings was the highest among the 3-, 4-, and 5-windings induction coils. Energy efficiency tendencies derived by the atmospheric evaporation tests corresponded well to the simulation results, and maximum energy efficiency was measured to be 42% under the atmospheric evaporation tests.     

Spatial and temporal changes of subchondral bone proceed to articular cartilage degeneration in rats subjected to knee immobilization

This study was aimed to investigate the spatial and temporal changes of subchondral bone and its overlying articular cartilage in rats following knee immobilization. A total of 36 male Wistar rats (11–13 months old) were assigned randomly and evenly into 3 groups. For each group, knee joints in 6 rats were immobilized unilaterally for 1, 4, or 8 weeks, respectively, while the remaining rats were allowed free activity and served as external control groups. For each animal, femurs at both sides were dissected after sacrificed. The distal part of femur was examined by micro‐CT. Subsequently, femoral condyles were collected for further histological observation and analysis. For articular cartilage, significant changes were observed only at 4 and 8 weeks of immobilization. The thickness of articular cartilage and chondrocytes numbers decreased with time. However, significant changes in subchondral bone were defined by micro‐CT following immobilization in a time‐dependent manner. Immobilization led to a thinner and more porous subchondral bone plate, as well as a reduction in trabecular thickness and separation with a more rod‐like architecture. Changes in subchondral bone occurred earlier than in articular cartilage. More importantly, immobilization‐induced changes in subchondral bone may contribute, at least partially, to changes in its overlying articular cartilage. Microsc. Res. Tech. 79:209–218, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Morphology and distribution of antennal sensilla of female Phyllotreta striolata (Fabricius) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

Phyllotreta striolata (Fabricius) is an important pest of Brassicaceae in Southeast Asia and North America. Using scanning electron microscopy, we observed the external structure, number, and distribution of the antennal sensilla in P. striolata females to discuss the putative function of these sensilla in host location and oviposition behaviors. The antenna of female P. striolata is filiform, composed of a scape, a pedicel, and a flagellum with 9 flagellomeres. Five types of sensilla were identified, including sensilla cheaetica, sensilla trichodea, Böhm bristles, sensilla auricillica, and sensilla basiconica (five subtypes, SB1–SB2). External structure and distribution of antennal sensilla are compared with data from other insect species. In addition, we discuss the possible functions of antennal sensilla based on their characteristics. Microsc. Res. Tech. 79:219–226, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.