Manufacturing Technology Today

V. Radhakrishnan ¹

Affiliations
1 Mechanical Engineering Department, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai 600 036, IN

Abstract

Metrology and inspection are logically associated with product quality in manufacturing. Quality from a conceptual angle has undergone many changes over the years. Initially it was associated with inspection and later on covered the areas of process control, quality assurance, total quality management and strategic quality management. In the first two phases, i.e. inspection and process control, quality was mostly confined to shop floor activities. The concept of quality assurance took care of the design aspects also into account. A wider coverage involving the people and the system brought out the Total Quality Management concept. A further step, based on the definition of quality as the fitness for the purpose as seen by the customer, brought out the concept of Strategic Quality Management encompassing the quality of the product throughout its life. Thus the concept of quality today covers many angles of the product right from its concept to final disposal at the end of its life. The important step towards realising the product quality is even now taken at the shop floor level and will continue to be so. Hence product inspection and process control will continue to play a crucial role in our quality efforts. Further, the condition of the process is closely related to the quality it delivers. By monitoring the product quality through changes taking place on the part i.e. dimension finish and geometrical form, it is possible to assess the condition of the process. Manufacturing metrology plays an important role in this. Approaches towards this have changed considerably over the years. Technological innovations have allowed manufacturing metrology to meet the challenges posed by diminishing tolerances, demand for ultra fine finish, closer form adherence and advanced concepts in condition monitoring. This article deals with the trends in the development in this area, present status and future outlook. It deals in detail on the technology available currently and explores areas of research and development to meet future needs.

Full Text

     

V. S. Sooraj ¹, V. Radhakrishnan ²

Affiliations
1 Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST), Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, IN
2 Dept of Aerospace Engineering, Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST), Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, IN

Abstract

Recent developments in surface finishing methodologies have reported the application of abrasive grits in various forms, using different media to generate fine finished surfaces. The viscoplastic medium used in Abrasive Flow Machining, the magnetic medium in Magnetic Abrasive Finishing and the Ice matrix in Ice bonded Abrasive Polishing are typical examples. These techniques can be used effectively to finish intricate internal and external surfaces. But there are unique challenges involved in many situations, one among them being the finishing of a circumferential internal groove. This paper presents the feasibility study on the usage of elastic abrasives for finishing internal grooves. Elastic abrasive is a new concept proposed in which high resilient abrasive embedded elastomeric spheres are used for fine finishing of surfaces. A specially designed experimental setup to finish circumferential internal groove is also described with some preliminary results.

Keywords

Elastic Abrasives, Internal Groove, Surface Finishing.

Full Text

     

V. Radhakrishnan ¹

Affiliations
1 Indian Institute of Space Science & Technology, Thiruvananthapuram, IN

Abstract

Manufacturing of future products needs knowledge, technologies and procedures that are different from the ones hitherto used and mastered over time. Added to this the need for product realization from new materials in new configurations having submicron sizes with complex features has posed new challenges in manufacturing concepts and procedures. This paper deals with some of the challenges in meso, micro and nano manufacturing.

Full Text

     

S. Shaji ¹, V. Radhakrishnan ²

Affiliations
1 Dept. of Mechanical Engineering, Govt. Engineering College, Trivandrum-695035, IN
2 Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Ettimadai, Coimbatore-641105, IN

Abstract

The conventional flood coolants employed in grinding suffer many limitations. Application of solid lubricants in grinding has proved to be a feasible alternative to the fluid coolants, if it could be applied in a proper way. Solid lubricant sandwiched wheels offer built-in supply of lubricants along with interrupted grinding. The development of such wheels and the workpiece surface Quality aspects are dealt with here.

Full Text

     

V. Radhakrishnan ¹

Affiliations
1 Indian Institute of Technology, Madras, IN

Abstract

Manufacturing, an important wealth generation activity, today accounts on an average for 25% to 35% of the gross domestic products in developed countries. Value addition through manufacturing has been the key factor for success of these countries.

Full Text