Effects of overburden characteristics on dynamic failure in underground coal mining

Dynamic failures, or ‘‘bumps, remain an imperative safety concern in underground coal mining, despite significant advancements in engineering controls. The presence of spatially discrete, stiff roof units are one feature that has been linked to these events. However, an empirical stratigraphic review indicates that no significant difference exists in the relative commonality of discrete units between bumping and non-bumping deposits. Instead an apparent relationship exists between reportable bumping and the overall stiffness of the host rock. However, this initial study is too simplistic to be conclusive; to weight the relative impact of changes in a single variable, such as the thickness or location of sandstone members, it must be examined in isolation—i.e., in a setting where all other variables are held constant.Numerical modelling provides this setting, and the effects of variability in a stiff discrete member in a hypothetical longwall mining scenario are investigated within the context of three stratigraphic ‘‘types,Compliant, Intermediate and Stiff. A modelling experiment examines changes in rupture potential in stiff roof units for each stratigraphic type as discrete unit thickness and location are manipulated through a range of values. Results suggest that the stiff-to-compliant ratio of the host rock has an impact on the relative stress-inducing effects of discrete stiff members. In other words, it is necessary to consider both the thickness and the distance to the seam, within the context of the host rock, to accurately anticipate areas of elevated rupture-induced hazard; acknowledging the presence of a discrete unit within the overburden in general terms is an insufficient indicator of risk. This finding helps to refine our understanding of the role of individual stiff, strong roof members in bumping phenomena, and suggests that a holistic view of overburden lithology and site-specific numerical modelling may be necessary to improve miner safety.     

Modelling and traceability for computationally-intensive precision engineering and metrology

In contrast to measurements of the dimensions of machined parts realized by machine tools and characterized by CMMs, software results are not fully traceable and certified. Indeed, a computer is not a perfect machine and binary encoding of real numbers leads to rounding of successive intermediate calculations that may lead to globally false results. This is the case for poor implementations and poorly conditioned algorithms. Therefore, accurate geometric modelling and implementations will be detailed. Based on the works of National Metrology Institutes, the problem of software traceability will also be discussed. Some prospects for this complex task will finally be suggested.     

Experimental Investigation on Formability of AZ31B Magnesium Alloy V-Bending Under Pulse Current

In this work, the influence of pulse current parameters on springback and bending force of magnesium alloy during electropulse-assisted(EPA) V-bending was investigated. The experimental results showed that pulse current can effectively reduce the springback and the bending force compared to the experiments without current. The frequency has a more significant influence on bending force and springback than electric current density. Electroplastic(EP) effect begins to work when pulse current parameters reach a threshold value. To explore the mechanism of EPA V-bending, the microstructure evolution and fracture surface of the bending specimen were studied. It was found that pulse current can promote the occurrence of dynamic recrystallization(DRX) of magnesium alloy compared to traditional hot forming process. The fracture mode of AZ31B under EPA V-bending evolves from brittle fracture to ductile fracture with increasing pulse current parameters. Based on the discussion of athermal and thermal effects of EP effect, the mechanism of pulse current to promote DRX is studied and athermal effect is proved to exist.     

动态硫化EPDM/高聚合度PVC热塑性弹性体力学性能的研究

采用动态硫化的方法制备了三元乙丙橡胶（EPDM）/高聚合度聚氯乙烯（HPVC）热塑性弹性体。考察了PVC聚合度、橡塑比、增塑剂添加量、硫化剂用量（质量分数）及不同促进剂配比对体系性能影响,研究了动态硫化工艺条件（硫化时间和硫化温度）对体系性能的影响。实验结果表明：采用动态硫化方法,选用HPVC-2500、橡塑比为30/70、DOP用量为35份、硫化用量为0.4份及合适促进体系,可以制得性能优良的EPDM/HPVC热塑性弹性体,拉伸强度能达到15.18 MPa,断裂伸长率能达到544%。     

数控铣削圆弧半径编程尺寸精度对形状的影响

数控铣削加工圆弧轮廓时,由于圆弧半径尺寸精度处理不当,会造成圆弧尺寸精度误差甚至是形状偏差.从数控系统控制原理上分析了产生这种偏差的原因,给出了保证圆弧加工尺寸精度及修正形状偏差的措施.     

Initial rapid wetting in metallic systems

The initial rapid wetting of a solid surface by a liquid phase is an important step in many industrial processes. Liquid-phase sintering of powder metallurgical steels is one such industrial process, where metallic powders of micrometer size are used. Investigating the dynamic wetting of a high-temperature metallic drop of micrometer size experimentally is very challenging. Here, a phase-field-based numerical model is first implemented and verified by accurately capturing the initial dynamic wetting of millimeter-sized metal drops and then the model is extended to predict the dynamic wetting of a micrometer-sized metal drop. We found, in accordance with recent observations, that contact line friction is required for accurate simulation of dynamic wetting. Our results predict the wetting time for a micrometer-sized metal drop and also indicate that the dynamic wetting patterns at the micro- and millimeter length scales are qualitatively similar. We also found that the wetting process is much faster for a micrometer-sized metal drop compared to a millimeter-sized metal drop.     

A novel approach to fixture layout optimization on maximizing dynamic machinability

In the aerospace industry, the reasonable layout of fixture can efficiently suppresses machining vibration of thin-walled aerospace structure during machining. Based on the analysis of typical structural components encountered in the aerospace industry, a general frame-structure workpiece with fixture constraints can be equivalent as Mindlin plates with simultaneous elastic edges and internal supports. On basis of the equivalent models, the powerful pb-2 Ritz method defined by the product of a two-dimensional polynomial and basic functions can be introduced to be taken as trial functions. Substituting displacement functions into energy functional and minimizing total energy by differentiation leads to eigenfrequency equations of the workpiece–fixture system. Consequently, a novel nonlinear programming problem based on the frequency sensitivity can be built to optimize the layout of fixture supports to maximize the fundamental nature frequency of the workpiece–fixture system. The feasibility of the proposed approach is validated by a machining case.     

A theoretical and experimental study of surface generation under spindle vibration in ultra-precision raster milling

In ultra-precision raster milling (UPRM), the impulse spindle vibration induced by the impulse-like cutting forces is intrinsic and special mechanism majorly influencing surface topography. It is fundamentally distinctive with the step spindle vibration induced by the step-like cutting forces in turning. However, no work has been conducted to study surface generation under the impulse spindle vibration in UPRM in depth. Consequently, this paper theoretically and experimentally elaborates that in UPRM, (i) the impulse spindle vibration includes the axial, radial and coupled-tilting spindle vibration with damping; (ii) the excitation frequency of the impulse-like cutting forces, i.e. spindle speed, determines the spindle vibration characteristics, i.e. synchronous or asynchronous spindle vibration; (iii) the coupled-tilting spindle vibration is a predominant factor influencing surface generation; and (iv) the irregular spindle-vibration waves induced by the impulse spindle vibration produce one of the irregular, lattice-like and stripe patterns or their hybrids at a milled surface.     

Contraction of Investment Cast H13 Tool Steel Real Time Measurement

This paper presents the results of an investigation into the dimensional changes and variability of investment cast H13 tool steel. An experimental apparatus has been developed to measure the dimensional changes during the casting process. Investigating the dynamics of mould expansion and alloy contraction during investment casting, it has been possible to determine in greater detail the contributions of the cast alloy and the mould to the final contraction of unconstrained castings. Contraction and dimensional variability of the final cast product is defined and experimental estimations of the contributions of each stage of investment casting are made. A technique for combining the variability of sequential stages is discussed. The measured contraction appears to be non-uniform and dependent on the position along the casting.