Vincent A. Balogun

Impact of Machine Tools on the Direct Energy and Associated Carbon Emissions for a Standardized NC Toolpath

In mechanical machining, significant energy use can be linked to carbon emissions and an increase in manufacturing cost. When machining a given component, the basic energy state dominates the total energy footprint as compared to tool-tip energy. Thus, the choice of machine tool is an important consideration in reducing the energy demand per product machined. In this work, a standardized NC toolpath was milled on machine tools in Singapore and the UK. The work significantly contributes to the knowledge on energy intensity in machining and the associated carbon dioxide emissions by presenting the impact of machine tools and geographical location.

Improving the integrity of specific cutting energy coefficients for energy demand modelling

Energy modelling for mechanical machining processes is essential for energy labelling of machined products and as a foundation for selecting optimum cutting conditions that meet economic objectives while reducing energy demand and CO2 footprint. Electrical energy demand in machining can be modelled in two parts: ‘Basic Energy’ demand by the machine tool and ‘Tip Energy’ for actual material removal. A significant amount of research and energy evaluation is based on the use of average specific energy values and ignores the impact of machining conditions. In this comprehensive study, the evaluation of specific tip energy is undertaken, and the effect of chip thickness, tool wear, nose radius and cutting environment is quantified. This work is an essential guide for the application of models to estimate energy demand in practical machining processes. It is of significant importance to improve accuracy in energy-centric modelling of machining processes for sustainable manufacture and resource efficiency.

The Impact of 3D Printing Technology to the Nigerian Manufacturing GDP

3D printing can spur manufacturing rebirth in Nigeria and the World in general. There are many areas where 3D printing is creating significant change, particularly in designing and prototyping of new products, in the arts, and in visualizing abstract concepts. This is a step change from conventional manufacturing processes to rapid prototyping and layer manufacturing. This report has defined rapid prototyping, rapid manufacturing and the current technologies available to fabricate 3D components. In addition to this, it provides a brief overview of the current contributions of the Edo University Iyamho (EUI) in collaboration with the Federal University of Petroleum Resources, to sustain manufacturing research initiatives towards the development of locally fabricated 3D printer and the possible future Additive Manufacturing in Nigeria. It is anticipated that this work will benefit the Nigerian academic, research institutes, industries, thus, enhance the GDP contribution of the manufacturing sector in Nigeria.

Characterization of Chip and Burr Formation at High Speed Machining of Nitronic 33 Steel Alloy

The energy consumption and machinability index of metallic alloys are very important in determining the economic and environmental value of manufacturing process. Various machinability problems with Nitronic 33 steel alloy have been reported in literature. These problems have been attributed to the work hardening of the material during machining operation and hence greatly influences and contributes to the green house gas emission. In this work, the chip and burr formation during the machining of Nitronic 33 steel alloy was investigated in other to optimize the cutting parameters and provide a knowledge base for machinists when machining austenitic stainless steels. The result shows that although continuous chips were formed throughout the machining tests, an evidence of continuous chip with built-up edges was also observed. This phenomenon tends to initiate the formation of discontinuous chips especially at high pressure coolant flow of 7 and 9.7 MPa. It is concluded that conventional cutting environment at 90 m/min cutting velocity is the optimum process parameter most suitable for machining Nitronic 33 steel alloy. The research outcome will address some of the problems encountered during high speed machining of Nitronic 33 steel alloy and the general understanding of the machinability of this alloy.

Development of smart linear velocity measuring device by embedding sensors with the arduino microcontroller

The change of an objects position with respect to time and a reference point is usually adopted to determine its velocity. This is usually a function of time. Velocity can be deduced in terms of its speed and direction of motion. It is an important concept in the description of kinematics and mechanics of bodies which entails the definitions of the bodies magnitude and direction. This project is one of the teaching series of smart technology development for the step change and technological awareness on the introduction of the IoT global influx. It focuses on the measurement of velocity using ultrasonic sensor. The Ultrasonic module HC - SR04 that has a range between 2 cm - 400 cm and a non-contact measurement function was adopted and linked to the Arduino UNO board for data processing and conversion before the output displays the specific measurement of the object velocity. The accuracy of the Ultrasonic module HC - SR04 ranges up to 3 mm. This module comprises of the ultrasonic transmitters, the receiver and the control circuit [1]. This is to teach and encourage students within the developing countries such as Nigeria to exploit and contribute to the global trend of the IoT smart technology advancement.