Albert J. Shih

Application of Nanofluids in Minimum Quantity Lubrication Grinding

This research investigated the wheel wear and tribological characteristics in wet, dry, and minimum quantity lubrication (MQL) grinding of cast iron. Water-based Al2O3 and diamond nanofluids were applied in the MQL grinding process and the grinding results were compared with those of pure water. During the nanofluid MQL grinding, a dense and hard slurry layer was formed on the wheel surface and could benefit the grinding performance. Experimental results showed that G-ratio, defined as the volume of material removed per unit volume of grinding wheel wear, could be improved with high-concentration nanofluids. Nanofluids showed the benefits of reducing grinding forces, improving surface roughness, and preventing workpiece burning. Compared to dry grinding, MQL grinding could significantly reduce the grinding temperature.

Finite Element Simulation of Orthogonal Metal Cutting

The development and implementation of a plane-strain finite element method for the simulation of orthogonal metal cutting with continuous chip formation are presented. Detailed work-material modeling, including the effects of elasticity, viscoplasticity, temperature, large strain, and high strain-rate, is used to simulate the material deformation during the cutting process. The unbalanced force reduction method and sticking-sliding friction behavior are implemented to analyze the cutting process. The deformation of the finite element mesh and comparisons of residual stress distributions with X-ray diffraction measurements are presented. Simulation results along the primary and secondary deformation zones and under the cut surface, e.g., the normal and shear stresses, temperature, strain-rate, etc., are presented revealing insight into the metal cutting process

Experimental study of the dry and near-dry electrical discharge milling processes

This study investigates the dry and near-dry electrical discharge machining (EDM) milling to achieve a high material removal rate (MRR) and fine surface finish for roughing and finishing operations, respectively. Dry EDM uses gas and near-dry EDM applies a liquid-gas mixture as the dielectric medium. Experimental studies leading to the selection of oxygen gas and copper electrode for high MRR dry EDM and the nitrogen-water mixture and graphite electrode for fine surface finish near-dry EDM are presented. Near-dry EDM exhibits the advantage of good machining stability and surface finish under low discharge energy input. A 2 5-1 fractional factorial design is applied to investigate the effect of discharge current, pulse duration, and pulse interval on the MRR and surface finish in dry and near-dry EDMs. Lower pulse duration and lower discharge current are identified as key factors for improving the surface finish in near-dry EDM.

Fixed abrasive diamond wire machining—part I: process monitoring and wire tension force

The process monitoring and mechanics of fixed abrasive diamond wire saw machining are investigated in this study. New techniques to affix diamond particles to a steel wire core have advanced to make this process feasible for the machining of ceramics, wood, and foam materials. Developments in fixed abrasive diamond wire machining are first reviewed. Advantages of using fixed abrasive diamond wire machining are then introduced. The process monitoring and signal processing techniques for measuring the cutting forces, wire speed, down feed rate, and wire bow angle in diamond wire saw machining are developed. The application of a capacitance sensor to measure the wire bow and a procedure to convert the wire bow to vertical cutting force in a rocking motion wire saw machine are developed. The tension force of the wire during cutting is also derived and discussed.

Development of the Cylindrical Wire Electrical Discharge Machining Process, Part 1: Concept, Design, and Material Removal Rate

Results of applying the wire Electrical Discharge Machining (EDM) process to generate precise cylindrical forms on hard, difficult-to-machine materials are presented. The design of a precise, flexible, and corrosion-resistant underwater rotary spindle is first introduced. A detailed spindle error analysis identifies the major sources of error at different frequency spectrum. The spindle has been added to a conventional two-axis wire EDM machine to enable the generation of free-form cylindrical geometries. The mathematical model for material removal rate of the free-form cylindrical wire EDM process is derived. Experiments were conducted to explore the maximum material removal rate for cylindrical and 2D wire EDM of carbide and brass work-materials. Compared to the conventional 2D wire EDM of the same work-material, higher maximum material removal rates may be achieved in the cylindrical wire EDM, possibly due to better debris flushing condition.

Development of the Cylindrical Wire Electrical Discharge Machining Process, Part 2: Surface Integrity and Roundness

This study investigates the surface integrity and roundness of parts created by the cylindrical wire EDM process. A mathematical model for the arithmetic average surface roughness on the ideal surface of a cylindrical wire EDM workpiece is first derived. Effects of wire feed rate and part rotational speed on the surface finish and roundness for brass and carbide work-materials at high material removal rates are investigated. The pulse on-time and wire feed rate are varied to explore the best possible surface finish and roundness achievable by the cylindrical wire EDM process. This study has demonstrated that, for carbide parts, an arithmetic average surface roughness and roundness as low as 0.68 and 1.7 mm, respectively, can be achieved. Surfaces of the cylindrical EDM parts were examined using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) to identify the macro-ridges and craters on the surface. Cross-sections of the EDM parts are examined using the SEM to quantify the sub-surface recast layers and heat-affected zones under various process parameters. This study has demonstrated that the cylindrical wire EDM process parameters can be adjusted to achieve either high material removal rate or good surface integrity and roundness. [DOI: 10.1115/1.1475989]

Finite element analysis of the rake angle effects in orthogonal metal cutting

Abstract The plane-strain finite element method is developed and applied to model the orthogonal metal cutting of annealed low carbon steel with continuous chip formation. Four sets of simulation results for cutting with −2°, 0°, 5°, and 15° rake angle are summarized and compared to analyze the effects of rake angle in the cutting processes. The initial and deformed finite element meshes, as the cutting reaches steady-state condition, are first presented. Simulation results of the cutting forces and residual stresses, along with the X-ray diffraction measurements of the residual stresses generated using a worn cutting tool with 5° rake angle, are used to identify the influences of the rake angle and tool sharpness. Elements are selected to represent three sections along the shear and contact zones and under the cut surface. The normal and shear stresses, distributions of parameters along these three sections, and contours of temperature, plastic strain, and effective stress are then presented. Limitations of the finite element method for metal cutting simulation are discussed.

Fixed Abrasive Diamond Wire Saw Slicing of Single-Crystal Silicon Carbide Wafers

Abstract This article investigates the slicing of single-crystal silicon carbide (SiC) with a fixed abrasive diamond wire. A spool-to-spool rocking motion diamond wire saw machine using a 0.22 mm nominal diameter diamond wire with 20 µm average size diamond grit was used. The effect of wire downfeed speed on wafer surface roughness and subsurface damage was first investigated. The surface marks generated by loose diamond grit and stagnation of the wire during the change of the wire-cutting direction were studied. The use of scanning acoustic microscopy (SAcM) as a nondestructive evaluation method to identify the subsurface damage was explored. Effects of using a new diamond wire on cutting forces and surface roughness were also investigated. Scanning electron microscopy has been used to examine the machined surfaces and wire wear. This study demonstrated the feasibility of fixed abrasive diamond wire cutting of SiC wafers and the usage of a SAcM to examine the subsurface damage.

Finite element analysis of orthogonal metal cutting mechanics

The plane-strain finite element method is developed and applied to analyze the orthogonal metal cutting with continuous chip formation. Detailed work-material modeling, which includes the coupling of large strain, high strain-rate and temperature effects, is implemented. The versatility of the finite element method is demonstrated by presenting simulation results to complement the experimental measurements and to gain better understanding of the mechanics of the tool-chip contact and work-material deformation. The contour plots are used to show the distribution of parameters in the deformation zones. The finite difference method is applied to estimate the rate of change of parameters with respect to time. The Eulerian description of the deformation of work-material is also presented to show the variation at seven selected elements, which are expected to pass the deformation zones or go underneath the worn cutting tool.

Fixed abrasive diamond wire machining—part II: experiment design and results

Abstract Experimental results from fixed abrasive diamond wire machining of wood and foam ceramics are presented. Three types of wood—pine, oak, and fir, and three types of foam ceramic—silicon carbide, zirconia, and zirconia toughened alumina, are tested. The research investigates the life of diamond wire and effects of process parameters on the cutting forces, force ratio, and surface roughness. A scanning electron microscope is used to study the worn diamond wire, machined surfaces, and debris. The diamond wire saw is demonstrated to be very effective in machining foam ceramics. The wire life for cutting wood at slow feed rates is low. The short tool life for dry cutting of wood indicates that more research in new fixed abrasive diamond wire and wire saw machining technologies is necessary.