Projects

Friction Stir Processing
Eck Industries has developed a new high-strength aluminum alloy. The tests conducted at Fives Giddings & Lewis by UW-Madison researchers are trying to determine the feasibility of further improving this alloy’s mechanical properties by the solid-state (below melting temperature) plastic deformation that occurs during friction stir processing









Friction Stir Welding 
FSW
Abstract: The objective of this work is to develop a method to detect the creation of discontinuities (e.g., voids) during friction stir welding. Friction stir welding is inherently cost-effective, however, the need for significant weld inspection can make the process cost-prohibitive. A new approach to weld inspection is required – where characterization of weld quality can be obtained in real-time, reducing the need for post-process inspection. 
Funding: National Science Foundation (NSF) 
Co-advisors: Prof. Nicola Ferrier, Prof. Neil Duffie and Prof. Michael Zinn

    



                    FSW of 6061-T6 Aluminum Alloy

Micro End Milling 

Abstract: The goal of the present work is to improve the current understanding of micro tool wear and life during channel milling of tool steel. An additional goal is the creation of procedures and software programs to help automate the analysis of micro tool wear on large quantities of tools. Other materials of interest for micro end milling include: copper, aluminum, titanium, fiber reinforced plastics, and graphite.

Funding: National Science Foundation (NSF) 
Collaborators: Performance Micro Tools









                Before and After Milling Edge Mapping 

Pulsed Laser Micro Polishing 

PLuP
Abstract:
The current pulsed laser micro polishing work is on the melting of surface alloyed metals and metal matrix nanocomposites, focusing on the improvements that can be made to surface topography, microstructure, and mechanical and surface properties through control of material composition and process kinetics. Significant work has also been done on the creation and improvement of micro polishing predictive models and simulations.
Funding: National Science Foundation (NSF) 
Collaborators: LasX Industries. 







                     Laser Polished Wisconsin Motion W

Closed-Lifecycle Additive-Subtractive Manufacturing

Abstract:    The goal of this research is to advance remaufacturing capabilities through the use of additive, subtractive, and comminution processes. Many avenues exist for exploration in this field but present work is focused on studying mechanically-generated feedstock for metal additive manufacturing, specifically for the directed energy deposition process. The feedstock is created from machining chips through a ball-milling comminution process into powder in order to meet the feedstock requirements of industrially available directed energy deposition systems. Parts have been printed from this powder with similar mechanical properties as those printed with the traditionally utilized gas-atomized powder. Energy consumption of the entire process chain is also being studied to understand the opportunities for remanufacturing                                             Closed-Lifecycle Diagram                         implementation in a more sustainable manufacturing landscape.
Funding: UW-Madison College of Engineering, Grainger Institute for Engineering

Embedded Temperature Sensors 





ETS
Abstract:
The objective of this work is to fabricate temperature sensors directly onto a commercially available tungsten carbide cutting insert for the purpose of accurately measuring the tool-chip interface temperature during machining. Thin-film thermocouples are fabricated on the rake face of an insert with a multi-cathode sputter deposition system. Aluminum stencils (masks) are made using micro end milling to sputter the 100 um-wide Type-K thermocouple traces. This method enables temperature measurements within micrometers of the cutting interface, and hence can monitor interface temperatures to validate analytical/numerical heat transfer models predicting the tool-chip interface temperature during cryogenic machining.


      
                        Instrumented Cutting Insert

Closed-Loop Control of Friction Stir Welding Temperature

FSW TM
Abstract: The objectives of this research are to use a real-time temperature measurement system developed at the LAMSML in a combined temperature and force closed-loop control system for robotic friction stir welding (FSW) that maintains weld quality under various process disturbances. During FSW, several process parameters and condition variations (thermal constraints, material properties, geometry, etc.) are present. The FSW process can be sensitive to these variations, which are commonly present in a production environment; hence, there is a significant need to control the process to assure high weld quality. Reliable FSW for a wide range of applications will require closed-loop control of certain process parameters.

                 Friction Stir Temperature Distribution 

Funding: Department of Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering, WARF Technology Development, U.S. National Science Foundation, Machine Tool Technology Research Foundation
Co-advisors: Prof. Nicola Ferrier, Prof. Neil Duffie, Prof. Michael Zinn
Collaborators: Chris Smith (Founder and VP-Engineering, Friction Stir Link, Inc.)