Agile manufacturing of a micro-embossed case by a two-step electromagnetic forming process

A very agile method, that relies solely on simple single-sided tooling, to form open-box-like enclosures with surface detail such as highly embossed surface features is demonstrated and analyzed. For example, this method may be used to fabricate personal electronics cases. The technique uses electromagnetic forces in a two-step process. In the first step a newly developed uniform pressure electromagnetic actuator is used to make a micro-embossed pre-form that can contain very fine surface detail in the part by micro-embossing features in the forming die. This blank is then trimmed. In the second major step electromagnetic flanging is used to give greater depth and steeper walls to the case. Both electromagnetic operations use one-sided tooling and very light equipment. In principle the tooling needed for this type of process can be put to use within days or hours of finalizing the component design and precise tooling tolerances or precise alignment are not required. This work shows the essential feasibility of this approach to manufacturing either small or large lots of components.     

Effect of recess geometry on shock wave formation in circular gas bearings

An analytical method, based on the concept of shock wave formation in the bearing clearance, is used to develop a mathematical model by which the pressure distribution along the fluid film can be predicted. Based on this model, the limiting conditions for shock free operation are determined. The effects of recess geometry and inlet gas conditions are analysed. Experimental pressure distributions along the fluid film at different values of film thickness, supply pressure and rotating speed compare well with the theory. The analysis reveals that a bearing with a tapered recess has a higher resistance to shock wave formation than a conventional bearing having the same recess volume. Moreover, the tapered recess bearing has superior stability to the conventional bearing for the same recess depth.     

Integrated nonuniform thin-film bandpass filter

A set of performance characteristics for a two-port three-terminal bandpass filter configuration of the integrated thin-film exponential distributed-parameter R-C-KR microsystem is presented. The circuit is found to have frequency response which is almost independent of the load. The bandpass filter requirements are shown to be achieved by a suitable combination of the parameters of the micro-system structure.     

Prospective controlled randomized study of in vitro fertilization versus intracytoplasmic sperm injection in the treatment of tubal factor infertility with normal semen parameters

We report a case of aortitis syndrome, in which carotid ultrasonography was a useful approach for the diagnosis. A 21-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital for persistent fever. No specific physical findings or laboratory abnormalities were observed except high fever and marked increase of erythrocyte sedimentation rate and c reactive protein. Since clinical trial of antibiotics and antituberculosis agents resulted in no effectiveness, prednisolone was started, but the effect was limited. After that, she complained of the neck pain, and vascular murmur became apparently audible at the pain site. Ultrasonography of the carotid artery revealed the smooth lumen and homogeneous, non-hyperechoic intimal thickening. Then aortography confirmed the diagnosis of aortitis syndrome. Cyclophosphamide combined with steroid therapy diminished the disease activity. In this case, carotid ultrasonography gave us the important information to enforce the aortography. If ultrasonography of the carotid artery has been popularized for aortitis syndrome, and its findings have been standardized, non-invasive diagnosis of this disease will be taken a step forward.     

Integrated bandpass filters

The letter presents some new results associated with one bandpass (b.p.) filter configuration of the integrated uniform R0-C0KR0 structure consisting of two rectangular resistive films, one having per-unit-length (p.u.l.) constant series resistance R0 and the other KR0 (where K is a dimensionless constant), separated from each other by a dielectric film having p.u.l. constant shunt capacitance C0. It is shown that the output voltage in the b.p. region may be made almost constant for the load fluctuations in the wide range R0 ? Rt < ? (where Rt = load resistance) by selecting K ? 0.3. The range of variation of Rt producing constant output voltage in the b.p. region is found to be narrower for increasing value of K.     

Error analysis in hybrid computer simulation of dynamic systems

A state-space oriented approach to analyze dynamic errors in a hybrid computer simulation loop is presented. The approach helps to predict the value of the sampling interval that achieves stable simulation with a prescribed accuracy. A pre-perturbation technique to compensate for the serious digital execution time delay error is then developed. It has the advantages that it does not require additional computer hardware and/or software and its utilization does not result in generation of any extraneous modes.The approach points out the contribution of each individual error source in the hybrid computer loop to the overall simulation accuracy.