Search results for "MEC"
showing 10 items of 15890 documents
Prediction-Based Assembly Assistance System
2020
This paper presents the design of a prediction-based assembly assistance system for manual operations and the results obtained on the data collected from experiments of assembling a customizable product. We integrated into the proposed system a Markov predictor improved with a padding mechanism whose role is to recommend the next assembly step and to detect the worker’s errors. The predictor is trained with correct assembly patterns and tested with real assembly/manufacturing data. The proposed predictor improves the coverage and, thus, there is a significantly higher number of assembly steps which are correctly correlated with the real intentions of the workers.
Using infrared thermography in order to compare laser and hybrid (laser plus MIG) welding processes
2009
International audience; In order to deepen the understanding of the differences between laser and laser-arc hybrid welding, comparisons were undertaken using thermography. The experiments were carried out for a T assembly of aluminium alloy plates. Modelling, based on the finite element method approach, was realized using IR temperature measurements and seam geometry. For a value of the power supply, depicted as a surface source in the hybrid case, agreement was found between simulated and measured temperatures. The arc power supply efficiency value is similar to the usually used value.
Design of parallel compensator and stabilizing controller to mitigate non-minimum phase behaviour of the Czochralski Process
2020
Abstract This paper addresses the design of a parallel compensator and a stabilizing controller for the simplified crystal growth dynamics of the Czochralski (CZ) process, i.e., the process for the production of monocrystalline silicon ingots of uniform diameter. The diameter control of the produced ingots is achieved by a CCD camera measurement used to sense the radius of the boundary between the base of the growing crystal and the surrounding glowing meniscus — a raised melt surface connecting the crystal ingot with the flatter melt surface. Due to the intrinsic nature of the process, the bright ring radius measurement signal exhibits a non-minimum phase behaviour. A combination of the pa…
A macroscale FEM-based approach for selective laser sintering of thermoplastics
2017
A numerical approach to model the selective laser sintering (SLS) of polypropylene is proposed. A 3D thermal model was developed and thus enables the prediction of the temperature fields and the extension of the sintered area in the powder bed taking into account the phase change during multiple laser passes. Powderâliquid, liquidâsolid and solidâliquid phase changes were modelled during the SLS and the subsequent cooling processes. Then, a 3D thermomechanically coupled model was set up based on the temperature results of the thermal model in order to predict the distortion of the produced parts after cooling down. Different pre-heating temperatures were considered, highlighting their…
The application of the random balance method in laser machining of metals
2008
International audience; Features peculiar to laser technology offer some advantages over more traditional processes, but, like all processes, it has its limitations. This article studies the limitations of laser machining of metals, and quantifies, through an experimental design method, the influence of operating parameters on productivity and on the quality of the machined surface. Three study materials were used: an aluminium alloy, stainless steel and a titanium alloy. An initial reading of the results indicates that productivity depends mainly on the frequency of the laser pulse and that the aluminium alloy behaves differently from the other two. The quality of the machined surface, jud…
Axial Load Capacity of Cold Formed Pipe Flange Connection
2017
In this paper, a cold forming process is used where the connection between a pipe and a flange is created by means of radially expanding tool segments inside the pipe. The method is investigated with two purposes, to set up a robust procedure for the process that allows for connections to be made on site, and to set up finite element (FE) simulations that can capture the forces and deformations when pulling the pipe axially out of the flange. Experimental data and FE simulations are used to describe and understand the forces and deformations during the connection process. The rapid increase in radial stiffness experienced when the pipe comes in full circumferential contact with the flange i…
The use of exploratory experimental designs combined with thermal numerical modelling to obtain a predictive tool for hybrid laser/MIG welding and co…
2011
Abstract While hybrid laser welding and coating processes involve a large number of physical phenomena, it is currently impossible to predict, for a given set of influencing factors, the shape of the molten zone and the history of temperature fields inside the parts. This remains true for complex processes, such as the hybrid laser/MIG welding process, which consists in combining a laser beam with a MIG torch. The gains obtained result essentially from the synergy of the associated processes: the stability of the process, the quality of the seam realized, and the productivity are increased. This article shows how, by means of a reduced number of experiments (8), it is possible to predict th…
Effect of active heating and cooling on microstructure and mechanical properties of friction stir–welded dissimilar aluminium alloy and titanium butt…
2019
A butt joint configuration of AA6061–pure Ti was welded using friction stir welding (FSW) with an assisted cooling and heating conditions, aiming to attain a flawless joint. Cooling-assisted friction stir welding (CFSW) was carried out with a different cooling medium such as CO2, compressed air and water at controlled flow rate. However, heating-assisted friction stir welding (HFSW) was performed with heating source of GTAW torch just before FSW tool at different current density. Prepared specimens were subjected to optical microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and electrodischarge spectroscopy (EDS) for microstructural characterizations. The tensile strength and microhardness…
Residual stress measurement in innovative friction stir welding processes
2017
In recent years, important innovations have been introduced in Friction Stir Welding (FSW) technology such as, for example, the Laser assisted Friction Stir Welding (LFSW) and in-process Cooled Friction Stir Welding (CFSW). Residual stresses have a fundamental role in welded structures because they affect the way to design the structures, fatigue life, corrosion resistance and many other material properties. Consequently, it is important to investigate the residual stress distribution in FSW where, though the heat input is lower compared to traditional welding techniques, the constraints applied to the parts to weld are more severe. The aim of the present work is to verify the capabilities …
In-process control strategies for friction stir welding of AZ31 sheets with non-uniform thickness
2017
Two different in-process control strategies were developed and compared with the aim to produce AZ31 magnesium alloy joints by friction stir welding on sheet blanks with a non-uniform thickness. To this purpose, sheets with dip or hump zones were welded by either changing the rotational speed or the tool plunging in order to keep constant the value of the vertical force occurring during the welding stage of the process. The influence of the main process parameters on the tool force, the micro- and macromechanical properties, and the joints microstructures in the dip and hump zones were analyzed. The results showed that using the rotational speed change-based approach, the hump zones are sub…