The new pneumatic–electric hybrid actuator with pneumatic and electric driving modes has the problem of speed fluctuation in the process of driving switching. This affects the stability in the positioning process. In order to solve this problem, the motion characteristics of piston rod in pneumatic locking are studied. A relay and run strategy is proposed to solve the problem of speed fluctuation.

A universal test-machine-based mechanically driven friction device was designed and manufactured. Friction tests were conducted on a third-generation high-strength steel QP980 with flat and curved dies at different pulling speeds and clamping forces. The formula for calculating the friction coefficients between curved contact surfaces was derived.

This paper presents an industrial robot-aided ultrasonic thickness measurement system to meet the needs of precise and efficient wall thickness measurement of large thin-walled parts. The hardware platform of the system is established with the designed reliable and contactless ultrasonic device integrated into an industrial robot. It was experimentally proven that the proposed method has a positive significance for improving the accuracy and efficiency of thickness measurement.

This paper presents the design of a dynamometer, with a one-spoked wheel elastic component, to measure the drilling thrust force and drilling moment. After manufacturing, a calibration operation is conducted, and tests are performed by measuring the drilling forces, thrust, and torque on American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) 1020 steel. Tool wear is studied, and the results are presented in the paper. Obtained results demonstrate the efficiency and accuracy of this measuring instrument.

Liquid-metal direct writing is a cost-effective and green technology, which is very promising for the customized fabrication of flexible circuits and functional devices. The smooth flowing and conveying of liquid-metal ink are still huge challenges that need significant attention. In this paper, the force mechanism of liquid-metal ink transported by ball rotation and translation of the printing head was analyzed. The flexible complex circuit and functional electronic pattern were printed.

The paper provides a comparative study of dry, wet and cryogenic turning of Ti-6Al-4V. Usually, it is recommended that titanium should be machined under lubrication, however, conventional lubricants are considered carcinogenic and health hazards. In this regard, cryogenic cooling using liquid Nitrogen provides an environment friendly option to machine Titanium based alloys.

This research work correlates the wear progression and Specific Cutting Energy (SCE) in turning Ti-6Al-4V alloy using H13 tools (uncoated carbide) in dry conditions from low to high cutting speeds. Flank wear growth of the tool has been investigated at different length of cuts in correlation with the SCE under different cutting conditions. The useful tool life was found to be shorter at high-speed machining conditions, as compared to low-speed machining conditions.

The research into micro machining of advanced alloys finds its applications in the aerospace, automotive, biomedical and healthcare and other industrial areas. One of the major concern is to produce parts at micro level without further rework, specifically surface finish. In order to achieve this, suitable process parameters and machining strategy needs to be identified for advanced alloy. The research presented here focuses on this aspect of the machining of Titanium Alloy.

The aim of this study is finding a modified lapping method to improve the lapping effect, increase efficiency and change the present labor-intensive situation. In this study, a modified lapping tool was designed and it was designed to fit on a specially designed friction torque test machine. In addition, a set of orthogonal experiments were designed to capture the effects of four main lapping factors: friction torque, abrasive particulate size, lapping time and the rotational speed.

An automatic, non-contact measuring system for the thread profile of a ball screw was developed. It is capable of measuring most common features of the ball screw thread profile and can measure ball screws of different sizes and lengths. The accuracy of the measuring system was verified by comparing the image from the system with the image from the reference instrument and then, different ball screws were compared and evaluated, which was the main purpose of designing such a measuring system.

This work investigates the effect of electrode geometry on flushing capability and debris removal efficiency in Electrical Discharge Drilling process. Drilling operations on stainless steel 304 were performed using circular and side-cut electrodes. Experimental results were compared with respect to drilling performance as well as dimensional accuracy and surface quality of drilled holes. Three-phase three-dimensional CFD models were also developed to analyze the flow field at interelectrode gap.

The formation principle of 3-D cutting elliptical trajectory was analysed and a prediction model of tool wear was established in the present work. Besides, a self-developed three-dimensional elliptical vibration device was employed to conduct turning experiment. Compared with the proposed model, the experimental results showed a great agreement with the proposed prediction model. This work may provide a reference for the further optimization of the 3-D elliptical vibration cutting parameters.