Development of computer aided calibration module for CMMs and machine tools using a compensated step gauge

This paper shows a micro computer aided error calibration system for CMMs and machine tools, which is a fast and efficient error calibration system: A micro computer stores the error calibration data of a step gauge which were precalibrated with more precise equipments such as laser interferometer, then the step gauge is probed with the specific CMMs or machine tools. The probing data are compared with the stored precalibration data, in order to give the linear displacement accuracy of the machines. High degree of computer integration has been performed in the measurement path planning, measurement operation, and error evaluation. Thus a rigorous computer aided error calibration system has been implemented with full potential of practical application to most of commercial CMMs and machine tools of CNC type.     

Voidage Measurement for a Moving Plug in Dense Phase Pneumatic Conveying Using Two Different Methods

Two simple ways to measure voidage in a moving plug in dense phase pneumatic conveying have been explored, along with voidage behavior and other parameters. The first method (bulk solid method) determines the average voidage for a single plug, by measuring the length and the weight of the plug, while the second method (Ergun's method) determines the voidage along the plug length from plug head to tail by using the Ergun equation. The experiments were performed under different experimental conditions of plug lengths, gas velocities, and materials. The results from both methods showed varying degrees of agreement, depending on the material transported. The measurements also found that the voidage varied only slightly with the plug velocity. However, it did vary more within the plug (e.g., plug head, middle of plug, and plug tail).     

Development of computer integrated system for error diagnosis of a CMM using calibrated mechanical artefacts

Error calibration and frequent reverification of coordinate measuring machines (CMMs) and machine tools are currently acknowledged as essential processes in order to maintain high performance of the machines and high quality of products. This paper shows a micro-computer integrated error calibration system, which is a fast and efficient error calibration system: a micro-computer stores calibration data of mechanical artefacts, such as ring and step gauges that have been calibrated with respect to more precise equipment, then the machine probes the gauges. The gauge probing data are compared with the gauge calibration data. The micro-computer plans measurement paths thus generating CNC codes for measurement of the mechanical artefacts located in a working volume of a commercial CMM. Then measurement operations are performed according to the planned paths for practical measurement of the gauges. For ring gauge measurement, the lobing error of the probe stylus has been efficiently measured then used for the probe compensation. The circular errors are successfully calculated from the comparison between the ring gauge geometry and the ring gauge probing data after the probe stylus compensation in terms of software. Then from the error pattern of circular error, machine errors such as scale errors and orthogonality error are successfully calculated, showing good approximation to the evaluated circular error. In the case of the step gauge measurement, the gauge probing data are compared with those of calibration data; thus complete linear displacement error analysis is successfully evaluated along any direction in a working volume. The error evaluations are then processes in real time, and presented in computer graphic environments. Practical application to a commercial CMM of CNC-type shows the validity and efficiency of the developed system. Thus a rigorous computer integrated error calibration system is proposed with the full potential of practical application to most commercial CMMs and machine tools of a CNC-type.     

A Comparative Study on the Three-Dimensional Surface Topography for the Polished Surface of Femoral Head

Several surface topographic techniques have been widely used in many manufacturing engineering fields for studying the surface characteristics for the practical application of manufacturing surfaces. In this paper, a polished surface of a femoral head is considered for the compatative study, where the stylusbased technique, the autofocused optical measurement technique, the interferometric technique, and scanning probe microscopy are applied. After the operational principles are introduced, some practical comparative measurements are reported for the polished surface. Some useful comparisons and conclusions are drawn from the comparative study. General guidelines for the 3D surface topography are also given for practical application.     

Development of the precision planar motor stage using a new magnet array and robust control with the parametric uncertainty model

This paper discusses the development of a new precision motor stage, where a new magnet array is proposed and a new robust controller is implemented. Several planar motor parameters, such as the air gap flux density and flux linkage, are analytically evaluated by the scalar potential, and, thus, about a 5–8% increase is observed for the proposed magnet array. A new robust controller is also proposed using the parametric uncertainty model, which can effectively control the movement during both stable and cogging positions. The performance of the robust controller is evaluated, and it shows much higher robustness and about a 200% higher position accuracy when compared with the conventional PID controller. Therefore, the developed planar motor stage is successfully designed and implemented, and, thus, proposes great potential for most of the positioning applications in the field of semiconductor equipment and machine tools.     

Development of straightness measurement technique using the profile matching method

The property of straightness is one of fundamental geometric tolerances to be strictly controlled for guideways of machine tools and measuring machines. Straightness measurement for long guideways is usually difficult to perform, and it requires additional equipment or special treatment with limited applications. In this paper, a new approach is proposed using the profile matching technique for the long guideways, which can be applied to most straightness measurements. An edge of relatively short length is located along a divided section of a long guideway, and the local straightness measurement is performed. The edge is then moved to the next section with several overlap points. After the local straightness profile is measured for every section along the long guideway with overlap, the global straightness profile is constructed using the profile matching technique based on the least-squares method. The proposed technique is numerically tested for two cases of known global straightness profile: arc profile and irregular profile, with and without random error intervention, respectively. The developed technique has been practically applied to a vertical milling machine of the knee type, and demonstrated a good performance. Thus the accuracy and efficiency of the proposed method are demonstrated, and show great potential for a variety of applications for most straightness measurement cases, including straight edges, laser optics and angular measurement equipments.     

Design, modeling, and testing of a novel 6-DOF micropositioning stage with low profile and low parasitic motion

We developed a novel piezoelectrically actuated 6 degree-of-freedom (DOF) stage for micropositioning. To achieve a parallel mechanism with high stiffness, compact size, and low parasitic motion for 6-DOF positioning, an orthogonal actuator configuration is proposed and actuation units are carefully designed. For the purpose of suppressing parasitic motion in the overall stage, the ratios of the lateral stiffness to actuating directional stiffness of the actuation units are minimized under the condition that the stress at any point in the stage does not exceed the allowable strength. Flexure hinges and lever linkages are effectively applied to the horizontal and vertical actuation units. A physics-based model of the stage is developed to ensure low system order and high reliability. The model parameters are estimated by experiment and finite element analysis. Open-loop tests including sinusoidal and step responses verify low parasitic motion and reliability of the model. Closed-loop step responses with a model-based controller validate the high micropositioning performance of the stage.     

Systematic Approaches towards the Development of Host-Directed Antiviral Therapeutics

Since the onset of antiviral therapy, viral resistance has compromised the clinical value of small-molecule drugs targeting pathogen components. As intracellular parasites, viruses complete their life cycle by hijacking a multitude of host-factors. Aiming at the latter rather than the pathogen directly, host-directed antiviral therapy has emerged as a concept to counteract evolution of viral resistance and develop broad-spectrum drug classes. This approach is propelled by bioinformatics analysis of genome-wide screens that greatly enhance insights into the complex network of host-pathogen interactions and generate a shortlist of potential gene targets from a multitude of candidates, thus setting the stage for a new era of rational identification of drug targets for host-directed antiviral therapies. With particular emphasis on human immunodeficiency virus and influenza virus, two major human pathogens, we review screens employed to elucidate host-pathogen interactions and discuss the state of database ontology approaches applicable to defining a therapeutic endpoint. The value of this strategy for drug discovery is evaluated, and perspectives for bioinformatics-driven hit identification are outlined.     

Block and modulation of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors by polyamines and protons: role of amino acid residues in the transmembrane and pore-forming regions of NR1 and NR2 subunits

N-Methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors are modulated by extracellular spermine and protons and are blocked in a voltage-dependent manner by spermine and polyamine derivatives such as N1-dansyl-spermine (N1-DnsSpm). The effects of mutations in the first and third transmembrane domains (M1 and M3) and the pore-forming loop (M2) of NMDA receptor subunits were studied. Surprisingly, some mutations in M2 and M3 of the NR1 subunit, including mutations at W608 and N616 in M2, reduced spermine stimulation and proton inhibition. These mutations may have long-range allosteric effects or may change spermine- and pH-dependent gating processes rather than directly affecting the binding sites for these modulators because spermine stimulation and proton inhibition are not voltage dependent and are thought to involve binding sites outside the pore-forming regions of the receptor. A number of mutations in M1-M3, including mutations at tryptophan and tyrosine residues near the extracellular sides of M1 and M3, reduced block by spermine and N1-DnsSpm. The effects of these mutants on channel block were characterized in detail by using N1-DnsSpm, which produces block but not stimulation of NMDA receptors. Block by N1-DnsSpm was studied by using voltage ramps analyzed with the Woodhull model of channel block. Mutations at W563 (in M1) and E621 (immediately after M2) in the NR1A subunit and at Y646 (in M3) and N616 (in the M2 loop) in the NR2B subunit reduced the affinity for N1-DnsSpm without affecting the voltage dependence of block. These residues may form part of a binding site for N1-DnsSpm. Mutation of a tryptophan residue at position W607 in the M2 region of NR2B greatly reduced block by N1-DnsSpm, and N1-DnsSpm could easily permeate channels containing this mutation. The results suggest that at least parts of the M1 and M3 segments contribute to the pore or vestibule of the NMDA channel and that a tryptophan in M2 (W607 in NR2B) may contribute to the narrow constriction of the pore.     

Precision inspection system for aircraft parts having very thin features based on CAD/CAI integration

In this paper, a precision inspection technique using CAD/CAI integration is proposed for parts having very thin and sharply curved features. The technique begins with feature reconstruction of turbine blades which have combined geometry, such as splines, and thin small radius circles. The alignment procedures consists of two phases — rough and fine phases: the rough phase alignment is based on the conventional 6 points probing on the clear cut surfaces, and the fine phase alignment is based on the initial measurement of the curved parts using the least-squares technique based on iterative measurement feedback. For the analysis of profile tolerance of parts, the actual measured points are obtained by finding the closest points on the CAD geometry by the subdivision technique developed. The Tschebyscheff norm is applied iteratively, giving an accurate profile tolerance. The inspection technique developed is applied to practical blade manufacturing, and has demonstrated good performance.Nomenclature r _i (u),r _j (u) 3D vector curve representing theith,jth curve segment for spline - u, parameters in [0, 1] representing curve - P _i ,P _i+1 ith, (i+1)th control points on the spline curve along the airfoil direction - Q _j ,Q _j+1 jth, (j+1)th control points on the spline curve along the vertical direction - W _i ratio of chord length to the previous chord length on the spline curve - C(Cx, Cy) centre coordinate of the edge circle - _o, initial angle and range angle of the edge circle - N _jp ,N normal vector on the surface patch formed byP _i ,P _i+1,Q _j ,Q _j+1 control points - A ₁ toA ₆ 6 probing points for the rough phase alignment - A ₁ toA₆ contact points at the clear cut surface corresponding to theA ₁ toA ₆ - X(a _x,b _x,c _x),Y(a _y,b _y,c _y),Z(a _z,b _z,c _z) base vectors for CAD coordinate system with respect to the CCM coordinate system - O (O _x,O _y,O _z) origin of the workpiece in the CMM coordinate system - D measurement target points of the workpiece - r probe radius - M coordinate measurement target points in the CMM coordinate system - DM direction vector of the measurement target points in the CMM coordinate system - T ₁ transformation matrix of 4×4 for the rough phase alignment - T ₂ transformation matrix of 4×4 for the fine phase alignment - MM, MM _i measured data of the measurement target points - Lp Tschebyscheff norm of powerP