Please read the abstract in the section 00front of this document / Dissertation (MEng (Mechanical Engineering))--University of Pretoria, 2006. / Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering / unrestricted

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Thesis (Ph. D.)--Ohio State University, 2008. / Title from first page of PDF file. Includes bibliographical references (p. 254-262).

A técnica de sinterização por plasma, também conhecida como processo SPS (Spark Plasma Sintering), é um processo para consolidação e sinterização de pós, em que corrente elétrica alternada pulsada e pressão de compactação são aplicadas simultaneamente aos componentes ferramentais (molde, punções, etc.). O molde utilizado neste processo tradicionalmente é cilíndrico, composto por grafite e permite a fabricação de amostras com geometria circular. Esse processo também possibilita a sinterização de um grande número de materiais, em especial, Materiais com Gradação Funcional (MGF). Tendo em vista os aspectos de geometria e composição da amostra, um projeto de otimização de moldes pode ser desenvolvido visando a fabricação de amostras com geometrias e gradação complexas. Com isso, é possível adequar a geometria do molde ao formato e composição da amostra que se deseja sinterizar, visando uma sinterização uniforme. Portanto, o objetivo deste trabalho é o desenvolvimento de uma metodologia para projetos de moldes utilizados na sinterização por plasma. Esta metodologia consiste na implementação de um algoritmo de otimização baseado no Método de Otimização Topológica (MOT), considerando três tipos de abordagem: a primeira abordagem, a qual visa a geometria da amostra, busca obter um molde prismático considerando amostras com geometria arbitrária, como por exemplo quadrada, triangular ou em cruz, com o objetivo de uniformizar o campo de temperaturas na amostra: na segunda abordagem, que considera moldes para a fabricação de amostras (MGF, os moldes podem ser projetados de modo a produzirem um gradiente de temperatura, na direção axial, através da variação da espessura da parede do molde; a terceira abordagem considera um molde constituído por material compósito. Nesta última abordagem é proposto um novo conceito de molde, onde se busca trabalhar não apenas com a geometria, como também com a microestrutura do molde dada por um material anisotrópico. Para a implementação do algoritmo de otimização, um modelo computacional baseado no Método dos Elementos Finitos (MEF), é desenvolvido considerando o processo SPS como um problema de acoplamento eletrotérmico. Na implementação do MOT utiliza-se um modelo de material baseado no SIMP (Solid Isotropic Material with Penalization) e Programação Linear Sequencial (PLS) para resolver o problema de otimização do molde. Todo algoritmo de otimização é implementado na linguagem própria do ambiente Matlab® e o pós-processamento, para verificação e validação dos resultados, é executado no software comercial Comsol®. / The Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS) technique is a powder consolidating and sintering process, in which pulsed DC electric current and pressure loads are applied simultaneously in the tool system components (graphite die, punchers, etc.) in order to perform the sintering process. Generally, a cylindrical graphite die is used for circular samples manufacturing and through this process the sinterization of a large number of materials, including Functionally Graded Materials (FGM), is possible. Considering the geometry and sample material aspects, an optimization die design technique can be developed based on the manufacturing of samples with complex geometry and gradation. Thus, it is possible to adjust the die geometry to the sample geometry or gradation in order to achieve a uniform sinterization. Therefore, the aim of this work is the development of a methodology to be applied in the design of dies used in SPS sintering process. This methodology consists of implementing an optimization algorithm based on the Topology Optimization Method (TOM), considering three approaches: in the first one a prismatic die is designed to process a sample with arbitrary geometry, for example square, triangular and cross sample; in the second approach the change of the die wall thickness is considered to achieve a predefined temperature gradient in the gradation direction of MGF samples and the third approach the same previous objective is considered, however the focus is the optimization of thermal conductive fibers. In the latest approach, a new die concept is proposed, where the objective is to optimize not only the die geometry but he microstructure considering a die composed by an anisotropic material. T implement the optimization algorithm a computational model based on the Finite Element Method (FEM) is developed considering the SPS process as an electrothermal coupled problem. In the TOM implementation a material model based on SIMP (Solid Isotropic Material with Penalization) is adopted and the Sequential Linear Programming is used to solve the optimization problem. The optimization algorithm is implemented using the Matlab® environment and the pos-processing, for verification and validation of the obtained results is carried out by using Comsol®.

This research effort highlights emerging areas in the field of robotic polishing and includes an extensive literature survey conducted by the author. This survey shows that areas in need of further investigation for achieving automated polishing are surface measurement, CAD/CAM integration and polishing mechanics. The work conducted has been based on the use of an available robot end-effector for polishing unknown three-dimensional surfaces. A model for determining the mass of material removed during the polishing process is based on hardness testing, surface grinding and milling theory. Using this model the material removed during the polishing process is compared to results from practical experiments. Polishing trajectory for a robot-end effector to follow has been produced using CAD files in Initial Graphics Exchange Specification (IGES) format. Using these files and two types of polishing patterns, the surface roughness of polished surfaces has been compared for simple planar polygonal surfaces. / Master of Engineering (Hons)

This thesis explores the elastic behaviour of the mechanical double action press and draw die system commonly used to draw sheet metal components in the automotive industry. High process variability in production and excessive time spent in die try-out are significant problems in automotive stamping. It has previously been suggested that the elastic behaviour of the system may contribute to these problems. However, the mechanical principles that cause the press system to affect the forming process have not been documented in detail. Due to a poor understanding of these problems in industry, the elasticity of the press and tools is currently not considered during the die design. The aim of this work was to explore the physical principles of press system elasticity and determine the extent to which it contributes to problems in try-out and production. On the basis of this analysis methods were developed for controlling or accounting for problems during the design process. The application of frictional restraining force to the edges of the blank during forming depends on the distribution and magnitude of the clamping force between the binders surfaces of the draw die. This is an important control parameter for the deep drawing process. It has been demonstrated in this work that the elasticity of the press and draw die can affect clamping force in two ways. The response of the press system, to the forces produced in the press during forming, causes the magnitude of clamping force to change during the stroke. This was demonstrated using measured data from a production press. A simple linear elastic model of the press system was developed to illustrate a definite link between the measured force variation and the elasticity of the press and tools. The simple model was extended into a finite element model of the complete press system, which was used to control a forming simulation. It was demonstrated that stiffness variation within the system could influence the final strains in a drawn part. At the conclusion of this investigation a method is proposed for assessing the sensitivity of a part to clamping force variation in the press during die design. A means of reducing variation in the press through the addition of a simple linear spring element is also discussed. The second part of the work assessed the influence of tool structure on the distribution of frictional restraining forces to the blank. A forming simulation showed that tool stiffness affects the distribution of clamping pressure between the binders. This was also shown to affect the final strains in a drawn part. However, the most significant influence on restraining force was the tendency of the blank to increase in thickness between the binders during forming. Using a finite element approximation of the try-out process it was shown that the structure of the tool would also contribute to the problems currently experienced in try-out where uneven contact pressure distributions are addressed by manually adjusting the tool surfaces. Finally a generalised approach to designing draw die structures was developed. Simple analysis methods were combined with finite element based topology optimisation techniques to develop a set of basic design guidelines. The aim of the guidelines was to produce a structure with uniform stiffness response to a pressure applied at the binder surface. The work concludes with a recommendation for introducing the methods developed in this thesis into the standard production process.

Sergei Vasilievich Rachmaninoff (1873-1943) is one of the greatest representatives of Russian classical music in the early twentieth century. In addition to being a successful composer, Rachmaninoff was also a great concert pianist and a conductor. He had written 237 musical compositions, including piano, instrumental, orchestral, and vocal music. As an outstanding pianist, he had well-received tours in Russia, America, and Switzerland. He conducted many operas and orchestral works in Russia. This paper will discuss the compositional background and the compositional techniques in Rachmaninoff¡¦s¡qEtudes-Tableaux, Op.39.¡r, with a special focus on the images that inspired Rachmaninoff to compose these etudes. ¡qEtudes-Tableaux, Op.39.¡rwas composed between 1916 and 1917; these etudes enriched the genre of piano etudes initiated by the previous romantic composers. This composition contains abundant expressive images rather than merely monotonous piano techniques which increase the artistic value of this composition.

Thesis (Ph.D.) -- McMaster University, 1998. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 117-126). Also available via World Wide Web.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Ohio University, June, 2004. / Title from PDF t.p. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 150-158)