Sachiko Ogawa

Investigation of Eco-Friendly Fixed-Abrasive Polishing with Compact Robot

Rising demand for sustainable development motivated our eco-friendly polishing method. In this study, fixed-abrasive polishing using a compact robot was proposed based on a new approach that includes the idea of secondary tools. The effectiveness of using a compact robot was investigated by life cycle assessment for eco-friendly polishing processing. The actual polishing process was carried out with low pressure to determine the potential of the proposed polishing method. As a result, low-environmental-load processing was achieved by machine downsizing without affecting the processing results by designing an independent pressure mechanism along the equipment’s main axis. The nano-surface could also be obtained with this method for glass material.

Fabrication of Binder-Free Green Composite Using Bamboo Fibers Extracted with a Machining Center

Bamboo grows faster than other renewable natural materials. Bamboo fiber, in particular, has attracted attention as an environmentally superior material. Therefore, we proposed a sustainable manufacturing system using bamboo. An extraction method of bamboo fibers end-milled using a machining center with in-situ measurement is proposed. Bamboo fibers with high precision shape are efficiently acquired. In the present report, we propose the fabrication of binder-free composite by a hot press forming method that only uses bamboo fibers extracted by a machining center. We experimentally demonstrated various hot press forming conditions and achieved proper forming conditions to optimize the forming process. We also made various three-dimensional shapes considering the practical applications of the formed binder-free bamboo fiber moldings.

High Efficiency and Eco-Friendly Heat Treatment of Small Parts with a Low-Power Diode Laser Beam

Demand is increasing for the manufacturing and machining of small mechanical parts. We focus on using a multi-functional desktop-sized machine tool to meet such demands because power consumption is decreased when they are machined. However, few reports have focused on heat treatment among manufacturing processes, we investigate the laser heat treatment of small parts as a highly efficient and eco-friendly method and propose in-situ heat treatment on a desktop-sized machine tool using a low-power diode laser beam. We quenched a small thin steel plate with a 30 W diode laser source. Our proposed method makes it feasible to quench a small thin steel plate and effectively reduces the power consumption of in-situ heat treatment by a desktop-sized machine tool.

Sustainable Manufacturing System Focusing on the Natural Growth of Bamboo: Life Cycle Assessment of Binder-Free Composites Made From Bamboo Fibers Extracted With a Machining Center

Bamboo is a natural resource widely distributed in Southeast Asia, including Japan. It has drawn attention as a sustainable and environmentally safe material because it is renewable and has a quick growth rate. Bamboo fiber also has high specific strength and stiffness. A self-bonding fiberboard using high-quality bamboo fiber extracted with a machining center has been fabricated by hot press forming. Therefore, a sustainable manufacturing system that focuses on bamboo is proposed. This paper describes the environmental burdens of this system, which are evaluated quantitatively using life cycle assessment (LCA).Copyright

Investigation of Environmental Impact of Downsized Five‐axis‐controlled Machine Tool

Recent emphasis on creating a sustainable society has motivated eco‐friendly manufacturing. The focus of this study is on an investigation of environmental impact of downsized five‐axis‐controlled machine tool. The Life Cycle Assessment was carried out based on a novel approach that considered the life cycle of secondary tool. Further, the actual cutting test was performed to investigate the cutting potential of downsized machine tool. As a result, it was found that downsizing of the machine tool was effective to reduce the total global warming potential in the life cycle of secondary tool. Further, the cutting potential of downsized machine tool was enough for machining of small parts.