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Full-Text Articles in Engineering

Repeatable Nanostructures In Dielectrics By Femtosecond Laser Pulse Trains, Lan Jiang, Hai-Lung Tsai Oct 2005

Repeatable Nanostructures In Dielectrics By Femtosecond Laser Pulse Trains, Lan Jiang, Hai-Lung Tsai

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Using the plasma model recent developed by the authors, this study predicts the existence of a constant ablation-depth zone with respect to fluence in femtosecond laser ablation of dielectrics, which has also been observed experimentally. It is found that the value of the constant ablation depth is significantly decreased by the pulse train technology. Repeatable nanostructures can be achieved with the parameters in the constant ablation-depth zone of a femtosecond pulse train, even when the laser system is subject to fluctuations in fluences.


Part Repair Using A Hybrid Manufacturing System, Kunnayut Eiamsa-Ard, Hari Janardanan Nair, Lan Ren, Jianzhong Ruan, Todd E. Sparks, Frank W. Liou Aug 2005

Part Repair Using A Hybrid Manufacturing System, Kunnayut Eiamsa-Ard, Hari Janardanan Nair, Lan Ren, Jianzhong Ruan, Todd E. Sparks, Frank W. Liou

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Nowadays, part repair technology is gaining more interest from military and industries due to the benefit of cost reducing as well as time and energy saving. Traditionally, part repair is done in the repair department using welding process. The limitations of the traditional welding process are becoming more and more noticeable when the accuracy and reliability are required. Part repair process has been developed utilizing a hybrid manufacturing system, in which the laser aided deposition and CNC cutting processes are integrated. Part repair software is developed in order to facilitate the users. The system and the software elevate the repair …


Freeze-Form Extrusion Fabrication Of Ceramics, Tieshu Huang, Michael S. Mason, Greg Hilmas, Ming-Chuan Leu Aug 2005

Freeze-Form Extrusion Fabrication Of Ceramics, Tieshu Huang, Michael S. Mason, Greg Hilmas, Ming-Chuan Leu

Materials Science and Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

A novel, environmentally friendly solid freeform fabrication method called Freeze-form Extrusion Fabrication (FEF) has been developed for the fabrication of ceramic-based components. The method is based on deposition of ceramic pastes using water as the media. The ceramic solids loading can be 50 vol. % or higher and initial studies have focused on the use of aluminum oxide (Al2O3). The FEF system components and their interaction are examined, and the main process parameters affecting part geometry defined. 3-D shaped components have been fabricated by extrusion deposition of the ceramic paste in a layer-by-layer fashion. The feasibility …


Sensitivity Analysis Of Process Parameters In Laser Deposition, Zhiqiang Fan, Kaushik Phatak, Frank W. Liou Aug 2005

Sensitivity Analysis Of Process Parameters In Laser Deposition, Zhiqiang Fan, Kaushik Phatak, Frank W. Liou

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

In laser cladding with powder injection process, process output parameters, including melt pool temperature and melt pool dimensions, are critical for part quality. This paper uses simulation and experiments to investigate the effect of the process input parameters: laser power, powder mass flow rate, and scanning speed on the output parameters. Numerical simulations and experiments are conducted using a factorial design. The results are statistically analyzed to determine the significant factors and their interactions. The simulation results are compared to experimental results. The quantitative agreement/disagreement is discussed and further research is outlined.


Determination Of Dynamic Powder Modeling Parameters Via Optical Methods, Todd E. Sparks, Heng Pan, Frank W. Liou Aug 2005

Determination Of Dynamic Powder Modeling Parameters Via Optical Methods, Todd E. Sparks, Heng Pan, Frank W. Liou

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Dynamic parameters, such as restitution and friction coefficients are important for powder flow simulations of laser based deposition processes. These parameters are difficult to find, especially for industrial metal powders. This paper introduces an optical method for measuring restitution and friction coefficients. The free falling powder flow was illuminated by a laser sheet. In order to obtain particle velocity, streaks proportional to particle velocities was generated by laser pulse obtained by a chopper. Recorded imaged were analyzed to determine particle velocities both before and after various impact conditions as well as impact parameters.


Workpiece Alignment For Hybrid Laser Aided Part Repair Process, Ajay Panackal Padathu, Todd E. Sparks, Frank W. Liou Aug 2005

Workpiece Alignment For Hybrid Laser Aided Part Repair Process, Ajay Panackal Padathu, Todd E. Sparks, Frank W. Liou

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Work piece alignment is a key issue for hybrid laser aided part repair,a process utilizing both machining and laser deposition.Proper alignment can greatly improve the accuracy of the repair process.This paper introduces a method for aligning a physical work piece and a CAD model using a Renis aw touch probe and software tools. Also discussed is a model for computing 5-axis CNC positions based on a desired work piece orientation.


Hierarchical Optimal Force-Position-Contour Control Of Machining Processes. Part I. Controller Methodology, Yan Tang, Robert G. Landers, S. N. Balakrishnan Jun 2005

Hierarchical Optimal Force-Position-Contour Control Of Machining Processes. Part I. Controller Methodology, Yan Tang, Robert G. Landers, S. N. Balakrishnan

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

There has been a tremendous amount of research in machine tool servomechanism control, contour control, and machining force control; however, to date these technologies have not been tightly integrated. This paper develops a hierarchical optimal control methodology for the simultaneous regulation of servomechanism positions, contour error, and machining forces. The contour error and machining force process reside in the top level of the hierarchy where the goals are to 1) drive the contour error to zero to maximize quality and 2) maintain a constant cutting force to maximize productivity. These goals are systematically propagated to the bottom level, via aggregation …


Hierarchical Optimal Force-Position-Contour Control Of Machining Processes. Part Ii. Illustrative Example, Yan Tang, Robert G. Landers, S. N. Balakrishnan Jun 2005

Hierarchical Optimal Force-Position-Contour Control Of Machining Processes. Part Ii. Illustrative Example, Yan Tang, Robert G. Landers, S. N. Balakrishnan

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

There has been a tremendous amount of research in machine tool servomechanism control, contour control, and machining force control; however, to date these technologies have not been tightly integrated. This paper develops a hierarchical optimal control methodology for the simultaneous regulation of servomechanism positions, contour error, and machining forces. The contour error and machining force process reside in the top level of the hierarchy where the goals are to 1) drive the contour error to zero to maximize quality and 2) maintain a constant cutting force to maximize productivity. These goals are systematically propagated to the bottom level, via aggregation …


Optimal And Hierarchical Formation Control For Uav, Xiaohua Wang, S. N. Balakrishnan Jan 2005

Optimal And Hierarchical Formation Control For Uav, Xiaohua Wang, S. N. Balakrishnan

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

In this paper, optimal and hierarchical control concepts are investigated for cooperative formation flying of aircrafts. The airplanes are modeled as point mass and represented by double integrators. And all the planes are considered to be in a plane. For demonstration of the concepts, a task of forming a square from arbitrary initial conditions is presented to four airplanes. The final position that each airplane has to reach is unknown to them. The goal for the team is abstracted in the top layer. The system is modeled as a two layer hierarchical system in which the global information comes from …


Measurement And Control Of Torque Ripple-Induced Frame Torsional Vibration In A Surface Mount Permanent Magnet Machine, Jason Neely, Steven Pekarek, Daniel S. Stutts, Philip Beccue Jan 2005

Measurement And Control Of Torque Ripple-Induced Frame Torsional Vibration In A Surface Mount Permanent Magnet Machine, Jason Neely, Steven Pekarek, Daniel S. Stutts, Philip Beccue

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

A sensor to measure the stator torsional vibration due to torque ripple produced by a surface mount permanent magnet machine is first described. The sensor is relatively inexpensive and is straight forward to incorporate into a drive system. Experiments are performed to validate that the voltage produced by the sensor is linearly related to torque ripple amplitude. Closed-loop controllers are then described that adjust the stator current harmonics applied to the machine to achieve a commanded average torque while mitigating measured torsional vibration. Simulation and experimental results are used to demonstrate the effectiveness of the control techniques.


Modeling And Control Of Re-Entry Heat Transfer Problem Using Neural Networks, Katie Grantham, Radhakant Padhi, S. N. Balakrishnan, Dwight C. Look Jan 2005

Modeling And Control Of Re-Entry Heat Transfer Problem Using Neural Networks, Katie Grantham, Radhakant Padhi, S. N. Balakrishnan, Dwight C. Look

Engineering Management and Systems Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

A nonlinear optimal re-entry temperature control problem is solved using single network adaptive critic (SNAC) technique. The nonlinear model developed and used accounts for conduction, convection and radiation at high temperature, represents the dynamics of heat transfer in a cooling fin for an object re-entering the earth's atmosphere. Simulation results demonstrate that the control synthesis technique presented is very effective in obtaining a desired temperature profile over a wide envelope of initial temperature distribution.


Method Of Metallurgically Bonding Articles And Article Therefor, L. G. Hector Jr, Hai-Lung Tsai, P.-C. Wang Jan 2005

Method Of Metallurgically Bonding Articles And Article Therefor, L. G. Hector Jr, Hai-Lung Tsai, P.-C. Wang

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

An article suitable for laser-welded metallurgical bonding, the article having a first part having a lower surface, and a second part having an upper surface is disclosed. The lower surface of the first part is disposed at the upper surface of the second part to provide for a faying surface thereat. The faying surface has a plurality of channels with a depth equal to or greater than about 1 micron and equal to or less than about 1000 microns. The article is suitable for laser-welded metallurgical bonding at the faying surface. The plurality of channels has a repetitive pattern of …


Dynamic Re-Optimization Of A Mems Controller In Presence Of Unmodeled Uncertainties, Nishant Unnikrishnan, S. N. Balakrishnan, Venkat Durbha Jan 2005

Dynamic Re-Optimization Of A Mems Controller In Presence Of Unmodeled Uncertainties, Nishant Unnikrishnan, S. N. Balakrishnan, Venkat Durbha

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Online trained neural networks have become popular in recent years in designing robust and adaptive controllers for dynamic systems with uncertainties in their system equations because of their universal function approximation property. This paper discusses a technique that dynamically reoptimizes a Single Network Adaptive Critic (SNAC) based optimal controller in the presence of unmodeled uncertainties. The controller design is carried out in two steps: (i) synthesis of a set of online neural networks that capture the uncertainties in the plant equations on-line (ii) re-optimization of the existing optimal controller to drive the states of the plant to a desired reference …


A Model Of Function-Based Representations, Michael Van Wie, Cari R. Bryant, Matt R. Bohm, Robert B. Stone, Daniel A. Mcadams Jan 2005

A Model Of Function-Based Representations, Michael Van Wie, Cari R. Bryant, Matt R. Bohm, Robert B. Stone, Daniel A. Mcadams

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The need to model and to reason about design alternatives throughout the design process demands robust representation schemes of function, behavior, and structure. Function describes the physical effect imposed on an energy or material flow by a design entity without regard for the working principles or physical solutions used to accomplish this effect. Behaviors are the physical events associated with a physical artifact (or hypothesized concept) over time (or simulated time) as perceived by an observer. Structure, the most tangible concept, partitions an artifact into meaningful constituents such as features, Wirk elements, and interfaces in addition to the widely used …


Experimental Verification Of Near-Wall Hindered Diffusion Theory For The Brownian Motion Of Nanoparticles Using Evanescent Wave Microscopy, Kenneth D. Kihm, Arindam Banerjee Jan 2005

Experimental Verification Of Near-Wall Hindered Diffusion Theory For The Brownian Motion Of Nanoparticles Using Evanescent Wave Microscopy, Kenneth D. Kihm, Arindam Banerjee

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

A total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy technique coupled with three-dimensional tracking of nanoparticles is used to experimentally verify the theory on near-wall hindered Brownian motion [Goldman et al., Chem. Eng. Sci. 22, 637 (1967); Brenner, Chem. Eng. Sci. 16, 242 (1967)] very close to the solid surface (within ~1 µm). The measured mean square displacements (MSDs) in the lateral x-y directions show good agreement with the theory for all tested nanoparticles of radii 50, 100, 250, and 500 nm. However, the measured MSDs in the z direction deviate substantially from the theory particularly for the case of smaller particles of …


Modular Control Laboratory System With Integrated Simulation, Animation, Emulation, And Experimental Components, J. Liu, Robert G. Landers Jan 2005

Modular Control Laboratory System With Integrated Simulation, Animation, Emulation, And Experimental Components, J. Liu, Robert G. Landers

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

A typical sequence for the design of a controller, given the desired objectives, is the following: system modeling, design and mathematical analysis, simulation studies, emulation, and experimental implementation. Most control courses thoroughly cover design and mathematical analysis and utilize a simulation or experimental project at the end of the course. However, animation and emulation are seldom utilized and projects rarely cover the entire controller design sequence. This paper presents a control laboratory system developed at the University of Missouri at Rolla that integrates simulation, animation, emulation, and experimental components. The laboratory system may be applied to a wide variety of …


Stochastic Optimal Control With Neural Networks And Application To A Retailer Inventory Problem, Zhongwu Huang, Xiaohua Wang, S. N. Balakrishnan Jan 2005

Stochastic Optimal Control With Neural Networks And Application To A Retailer Inventory Problem, Zhongwu Huang, Xiaohua Wang, S. N. Balakrishnan

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Overwhelming computational requirements of classical dynamic programming algorithms render them inapplicable to most practical stochastic problems. To overcome this problem a neural network based Dynamic Programming (DP) approach is described in this study. The cost function which is critical in a dynamic programming formulation is approximated by a neural network according to some designed weight-update rule based on Temporal Difference(TD)learning. A Lyapunov based theory is developed to guarantee an upper error bound between the output of the cost neural network and the true cost. We illustrate this approach through a retailer inventory problem.


Optimal Control Of A Class Of One-Dimensional Nonlinear Distributed Parameter Systems With Discrete Actuators, Radhakant Padhi, S. N. Balakrishnan Jan 2005

Optimal Control Of A Class Of One-Dimensional Nonlinear Distributed Parameter Systems With Discrete Actuators, Radhakant Padhi, S. N. Balakrishnan

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Combining the principles of dynamic inversion and optimization theory, a new approach is presented for stable control of a class of one-dimensional nonlinear distributed parameter systems with a finite number of actuators in the spatial domain. Unlike the existing ''approximate-then-design'' and ''design-then-approximate'' techniques, this approach does not use any approximation either of the system dynamics or of the resulting controller. The formulation has more practical significance because one can implement a set of discrete controllers with relative ease. To demonstrate the potential of the proposed technique, a real-life temperature control problem for a heat transfer application is solved through simulations. …


Hierarchical Optimal Force-Position Control Of A Turning Process, B. Pandurangan, Robert G. Landers, S. N. Balakrishnan Jan 2005

Hierarchical Optimal Force-Position Control Of A Turning Process, B. Pandurangan, Robert G. Landers, S. N. Balakrishnan

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Machining process control technologies are currently not well integrated into machine tool controllers and, thus, servomechanism dynamics are often ignored when designing and implementing process controllers. In this brief, a hierarchical controller is developed that simultaneously regulates the servomechanism motions and cutting forces in a turning operation. The force process and servomechanism system are separated into high and low levels, respectively, in the hierarchy. The high-level goal is to maintain a constant cutting force to maximize productivity while not violating a spindle power constraint. This goal is systematically propagated to the lower level and combined with the low-level goal to …