Modern methods to retrieve innovative material solutions for tribosystems
A numerical, tribological data collection system with 12,100 data records was developed to find materials for tribological operations. The databse enables the user to search, retrieve and display information and data about the appropriate material couples in a fast and conventient way. The database is intended to be used by researchers, engineers, consultants and developers. All tribological characteristics of the listed materials are directly comparable; the data has been compiled and put into a standardized form, which covers the specific properties of nearly all tribometers used. The structure and the precisely defined formats may help guide future scientists and engineers to organize, archive and publish their tribological tests and results in a complete and comprehensive way.
The implementation of tribological principles in an expert-system (“PRECEPT”) for the selection of metallic materials, surface treatments and coatings in engineering design
Abstract Many of the component failures occurring in service can be avoided or delayed by better incorporation of tribological principles into engineering design. However, the concept of tribology has not yet penetrated successfully into industry in general and there remains an urgent need for the provision of practical tribology design criteria and the transference of tribology knowledge to engineering designers. Knowledge-based computer systems offer great potential for effecting tribology knowledge transfer and promoting improved design practice. Here we report the development and implementation of eight wear design rules in an expert system for assisting the selection of metallic materials, surface treatments and coatings during the initial stages of engineering design. These rules, which are intended principally for engineering designers involved with fine mechanical constructions operating at temperatures at or close to room temperature, allow the tribological reliability of a candidate design to be assessed on the basis of the most likely wear-related problems that can arise in service.
Determination of Optimal Ball-Burnishing Parameters for Plastic Injection Moulding Steel
The objective of this study is to determine the optimal plane ball-burnishing parameters for plastic injection moulding steel PDS5 on a machining centre by utilising the Taguchi’s orthogonal array method. The design and manufacture of a burnishing tool are described. Four burnishing parameters, namely the ball material, burnishing speed, burnishing force and feed, were selected as the experimental factors in Taguchi’s design of experiments to determine the optimal burnishing parameters which have the dominant influence on surface roughness. The optimal burnishing parameters were found after carrying out the experiments specified by Taguchi’s L18 orthogonal table, by the analysis of variation, and by a full factorial experiment. The optimal plane burnishing parameters for the plastic injection moulding steel PDS5 were a combination of a tungsten carbide ball, a burnishing speed of 200 mm/min, a burnishing force of 300 N and a feed of 40 μm. The surface roughness Ra of the specimen can be improved from about 1 μm to 0.07 μm by using the optimal burnishing parameters for plane burnishing.