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The material-jetting-type (MJ) 3-D printing technology has advantages in resolution and color printing. During the printing process, a leveling technique is needed to precisely control the thickness and flatness of each layer. Roller-type leveling mechanism has been adopted in commercial MJ 3-D printers, but it is lack of research on roller leveling process parameters and establishing experimental procedures. Therefore, in this study, a roller-type leveling mechanism for a MJ color 3 D printer was developed, and experimental approaches were utilized to determine process parameters.

The roller-type leveling mechanism was chosen to provide functions of flattening and removal of excess material. The parameters studied were roller speed and rotational direction. Surface roughness, Ra, of printed single-layered specimens was measured at 15 locations for plane roughness and along five lines for line roughness to evaluate the leveling results. Adopting suitable parameters, color samples with and without leveling were printed for comparison and verification.

According to plane roughness results, forward rotation achieved better leveling. Plane roughness was the major criteria to determine roller speed with the assistance of standard deviation of line roughness. The best parameters of the self-developed MJ color 3-D printer were found to be rolling forward at 1,100 rpm. In addition, printed color samples showed great improvement in surface roughness with leveling and no obvious color mixing after leveling.

Leveling is important to achieve desired layer thickness, smooth surface and good color quality in color 3-D printing. For MJ 3-D printing, only patents were revealed regarding roller design, but paper publications have not been presented. This research practically proposed to use experimental approach to understand the effects of roller operating parameters and to find the suitable ones based on surface roughness results.

This research established the experimental procedures and also suggested guidelines of experimentally obtaining suitable roller leveling process parameters. Developers can refer to this study results to design and adjust leveling mechanism in a new MJ 3-D printer.

The experimental approach can be applied to similar MJ 3-D printing systems if different materials are introduced or the platform speed is changed. The observed trends suggested several guidelines to plan limited experiments only to obtain suitable roller process parameters.

It is essential to level the drilling platform across which a drilling robot travels in a slant underground coal mine tunnel to ensure smooth operation of the drill rod. However, existing leveling methods do not provide dynamic performance under the drilling conditions of the underground coal mine. A four-point dynamic leveling algorithm is presented in this paper based on the platform attitude and support rod displacement (DLAAD). An experimental drilling robot demonstrates its dynamic leveling capability and ability to ensure smooth drill rod operations.

The attitude coordinate of the drilling robot is established according to its structure. A six-axis combined sensor is adopted to detect the platform attitude, thus revealing the three-axis Euler angles. The support rod displacement values are continuously detected by laser displacement sensors to obtain the displacement increment of each support rod as needed. The drilling robot is leveled according to the current support rod displacement and three-dimensional (3 D) attitude detected by the six-axis combined sensor dynamically.

Experimental results indicate that the DLAAD algorithm is correct and effectively levels the drilling platform dynamically. It can thus provide essential support in resolving drill rod sticking problems during actual underground coal mine drilling operations.

The DLAAD algorithm supports smooth drill rod operations in underground coal mines, which greatly enhances safety, reduces power consumption, and minimizes cost. The approach proposed here thus represents considerable benefits in terms of coal mine production and shows notable potential for application in similar fields.

The novel DLAAD algorithm and leveling control method are the key contributions of this work, they provide dynamical 3 D leveling and help to resolve drill rod sticking problems.

Continuous annealing (CA) units usually lack a physical shapemeter; consequently, real-time display and closed-loop control of the strip shape are impossible to achieve.

A shape model for the CA process is established in this study. Specifically, a virtual shapemeter and closed-loop control system based on the advanced parameter acquisition system and information transmission of CA units are developed in C++ programming language. This system realises real-time dynamic shape display, closed-loop control and shape prediction by collecting raw data of steel coils and parameters during CA.

Field test results show that the shape predicted by the virtual shapemeter coincides with the measured shape by over 90 per cent, which fully meets the precision requirement of industrial applications.

Moreover, shape quality is effectively improved without increasing hardware investments.

The aim of this paper is to advance the understanding of the droplet deposition process to better predict and control the manufacturing results for ink-jet deposition.

As material interface has both geometric and physical significance to manufacturing, the approach the authors take is to study the interface evolution during the material joining process in ink-jet deposition using a novel shape metric and a previously developed powerful simulation tool. This tool is an experimentally validated numerical solver based on the combination of the lattice Boltzmann method and the phase-field model that enabled efficient simulation of multiple-droplet interactions in three dimensions.

The underlying physics of two-droplet interaction is carefully examined, which provides deep insights into the effects of the printing conditions on the interface evolution of multiple-droplet interaction. By studying line printing, it is found that increasing impact velocity or decreasing fluid viscosity can reduce manufacturing time. For array printing, the authors have found the issue of air bubble entrapment that can lead to voids in the manufactured parts.

The array of droplets impinges simultaneously, in contrast to most ink-jet printers. Sequential impingement of lines of droplet needs to be studied. Also, impingement on non-planar surfaces has not been investigated yet, but is important for additive manufacturing. Finally, it is recognized that the droplet hardening mechanisms need to be incorporated in the simulation tool to predict and control the final shape and size of the arbitrary features and manufacturing time for ink-jet deposition.

The research findings in this paper imply opportunities for optimization of printing conditions and print head design. Furthermore, if precise droplet control can be achieved, it may be possible to eliminate the need for leveling roller in the current commercial printers to save machine and manufacturing cost.

This work represents one of the first attempts for a systematic study of the interface dynamics of multiple-droplet interaction in ink-jet deposition enabled by the novel shape metric proposed in the paper and a previously developed numerical solver. The findings in this paper advanced the understanding of the droplet deposition process. The physics-based approach of analyzing the simulation results of the interface dynamics provides deep insights into how to predict and control the manufacturing relevant outcomes, and optimization of the deposition parameters is made possible under the same framework.

Two newly invented deposition techniques for the freeform fabrication of metal and ceramic parts are presented. The first deposition technique studied is one that can deposit variable sizes of filaments in a controlled manner. The second technique consists of layer deposition using an adjustable planar nozzle to generate layers directly. Laboratory scale apparatus has been built to study the behavior of filament and layer formation of these two techniques. Experiments are conducted in typical operation ranges. Analytical solutions are also developed to parametrically study the effects of changing major operational parameters as well as to provide necessary information for designing the apparatus. All results indicate that the analytical predictions agree very well with the experimental observation. Finally, recommendations on the future development of these two techniques are given.

This work aims to compare the vibration behavior of roller and ball bearings operating with clean and quartz‐contaminated lubricants. Wear influence on vibration of both bearing types was also compared.

Experimental tests were run in clean and contaminated mineral oil. Contaminant quartz particles of 59 μm average size were tested in three concentration levels: 0.05, 0.25 and 0.5 g/l. Radial vibration of the roller bearing was measured by accelerometer and wear was analyzed through microscopy of the surfaces and optical spectrometry of oils.

Differences in vibration response among both bearing types were observed regarding the root mean square value of vibration data in the high frequency band (600‐10,000 Hz); differences in wear influence on vibration were also identified and correlated to the differences in the tribological features.

This paper presents a methodology for detecting contamination and wear of roller bearings by applying a simple procedure of vibration monitoring and analysis.

The purpose of this paper is to establish a dynamic analysis model of composite cylindrical roller bearings, investigate the effects of different working conditions on the kinematic characteristics of composite bearings and compare the differences between them and solid roller bearings.

This paper establishes a dynamic analysis model for composite cylindrical roller bearings and proves the correctness of the established model by establishing dynamic vibration experiments and contact theory for composite roller bearings. Comparative analysis was conducted on the effects of coupling changes in rotational speed, load, number of rollers and filling ratio on parameters such as bearing static stiffness, contact stress and vibration acceleration.

The composite roller can enhance the bearing’s operational stability and minimize contact stress, but that a higher filling ratio is going to increase the bearing’s stiffness. The acceleration degree of bearing vibration, the load on the outer raceway nodes and the bearing stability all decrease as inner ring speed rises.

A dynamic calculation model of composite cylindrical roller bearings is established, and the influence of multiparameter coupling changes on bearing vibration and contact is studied, which lays a foundation for the structural improvement of the bearings.

This article is concerned with the numerical simulation of a reverse roller‐coating process, which involves the computation of Newtonian viscous incompressible flows with free‐surfaces. A numerical scheme is applied of a transient finite element form, a semi‐implicit Taylor‐Galerkin/pressurecorrection algorithm. For free‐surface prediction, we use kinematic boundary adjustment with a mesh‐stretching algorithm. In the present work, an alloy sheet (foil) passes over a large roller and then a smaller applicator roller, which provides the in‐feed. In combination, the applicator roller, the foil and the fluid form part of the underside coating mechanism. The aim of this study is to investigate fundamental aspects of the process, to ultimately address typical coating instabilities. These may take the form of chatter and starvation. A uniform coating thickness is the desired objective. A mathematical model is derived to describe the solvent coating applied to the underside of the sheet, assuming that the lacquer is a Newtonian fluid. In particular, the work has concentrated on the flow patterns that result and a parameter sensitivity analysis covering the appropriate operating windows of applied conditions. Effects of independent variation in roll‐speed and foil‐speed are investigated, to find that maxima in pressure, lift and drag arise at the nip and are influenced in a linear fashion.

The purpose of this paper is to describe a method permitting the creation of a realistic model of spherical roller bearing with the aim of determining contact stress and fatigue life based on dynamic loading conditions. The paper also aims to recognize the effect of tolerance values on contact stress and fatigue life. Motion and load transmission in spherical roller bearing occurs within the assembly by elliptical curved contacting surfaces. The stress produced by the transmitted load would be very high because of least contacting area between these surfaces.

The paper describes a methodology to determine contact stress using analytically as well as finite element method for spherical roller bearing. The comparison for the both each approach for contact stress at different loading condition is carried out. Prediction of fatigue life based on dynamic loading conditions for bearing is also determined using finite element model. The effect on induced contact stress and fatigue life by varying tolerances on inner race dimensions have been found out.

The paper suggests that the maximum stress produces at the start or end of the contacting arc under static loading condition in spherical roller bearing. The analytical and finite element approach is in good agreement. The fatigue life prediction is useful for selecting loading conditions for various applications of double row spherical roller bearing. Tolerance level at inner ring raceway radius is kept high because of manufacturing constrain of complex curvature geometric shape.

The present approach does not consider dynamic loading conditions for contact stress analysis. Therefore, researchers are encouraged to analyze the effect of wear, lubrication and other tribological aspects on bearing life.

The paper includes determination of contact stress and prediction of fatigue life for spherical roller bearing using analytical as well as finite element approach. The tolerance values at inner race are identified as per manufacturing constraint based on contact stress and fatigue life.

Most researchers have neglected the effect air-drag force on yarn tension during rotor spinning. This paper aims to study the effect of rotor air-vacuum pressure in conjunction with opening roller speed and yarn linear density on the yarn tension generated during the rotor spinning, which has established their significant influences on both the mean and the peak tension.This is the first of one-of-a-kind experimental study being reported to demonstrate the influence of air-drag force on yarn tension during the rotor spinning under dynamic condition.

The dynamic measurements on yarn tension at the exit of the doffing tube were carried out by using an electronic capacitive yarn tension meter during rotor spinning. The derived experimental data were fitted into equations to construct the response equations and to work out the coefficients of multiple correlation between the data and the predicted equation for both the mean and the peak tension. Various surface plots were constructed by using those response surface equations, so as to study the effect of variables on yarn tension generated during the rotor spinning.

The study has established that the rotor vacuum is responsible in causing a change in yarn tension, it increases with the decrease in air-vacuum inside the rotor. The involvement of the opening roller speed in altering yarn tension during rotor spinning has been proved. As the opening roller speed changes, so does the air stream surrounding the opening roller speed with consequent alteration of the centrifugal force generated due to the rotation of the rotor. The centrifugal force and, hence, the yarn tension generated in the rotor will be simultaneously affected by both the rotor relative vacuum and the opening roller speed.

This is a structured experimental study to verify the influence of air-drag force generated during rotor spinning on yarn tension. Very limited theoretical work has been carried out in this direction as reported in the introductory part of the paper. The result of the present study will encourage future researchers to revisit the theory on generation of air-drag force during rotor spinning and work out a new formula.

Next only to the conventional ring spinning system, the rotor spinning holds the second place in the share of global yarn production. Because of its advantage of lower cost of production and amenability to automation, the rotor spinning has gained acceptance in spun yarn production, particularly for spinning coarse and medium counts of yarns. Currently, it has acquired about 25 per cent share in the world’s spun yarn production. As many of the rotor machine variables significantly affect fibre configurations and, subsequently, the yarn properties by influencing the airflow characteristics inside the rotor unit, the study of yarn tension during rotor spinning and its analysis assumes a significance.

Rotor spinning is a relatively new and faster method of conversion of discrete fibres into continuous staple yarn and, subsequently, various textiles and garments. Its yarn is distinct and a bit different compared to the conventional ring yarn. It has got wide acceptance in the market and fashion. As such, the spinning sector that converts fibres into yarns is an important industry world over, providing employment to many. Besides, being the basic operation in the fibre value chain, it supports many downstream activities, including human clothing and fashion. Thus, the research on rotor spinning, particularly the yarn engineering to produce better products will be helpful to strengthen and grow the textile value chain.

This is an original research study. The magnitude and the direction of the air drag on the yarn during rotor spinning is very difficult to assess. Thus, most researchers for the sake of simplicity in analysis have neglected its effect on yarn dynamics, but a few of them have taken note of it in their theoretical propositions. However, no experimental result has been reported so far in the literature, supporting the influence of such air-drag force on yarn tension in the rotor spinning. In fact, none of the above studies have considered the induced effect of centrifugal force caused because of the rotation of the opening roller on the airstream that flows from the transfer channel inlet into the rotor because of its partial vacuum, causing consequential effects on air-drag force and tension in the yarn inside the rotating rotor. This is the first of one-of-a-kind experimental study being reported to demonstrate the influence of air-drag force on yarn tension during the rotor spinning under dynamic condition.