Papers by Author: Ainhoa Celaya

Abstract: The adaptation of universities to the European Higher Education Area (EHEA) plays an essential role in society, creating new knowledge, transferring it to students by means of new and more active methodologies aimed at learning that will enable students to put everything they learn into practice. However, such methodologies are not equally applicable in all subjects. Subjects such as Manufacturing Technology, taught at different levels in both undergraduate and graduate levels, are descriptive to a great extent. This descriptive nature must be supported by new technologies if these subjects claim to be more attractive to students. In this paper some examples of successful case studies are presented. They represent the new way of understanding the teaching replacing the old concept of traditional classroom lecture by more interactive ones and, therefore, more attractive to students.

Abstract: The European Higher Education Area has entailed some upheaval since it has involved deep changes in university education. Among the subjects taught in technical education such as Manufacturing Technologies, which involve strong experimental contents, the use of specific tools is helpful for better understanding of such subjects. This article highlights the need for the use of simulation tools in the field of manufacturing processes. The student may achieve optimal understanding and learning from them. They can understand, in a more visual way, complex phenomena that govern different processes and the influence of key variables. Applications related to sheet metal forming, forging and casting processes are presented. The main objective is to enable students to better understand the phenomena that govern the processes of moulding and forming, with the invaluable help of simulation software. The final aim is to ensure that the student reaches an optimum knowledge of moulding and forming processes using simulation software.

Abstract: In this paper the ball burnishing as a finishing process for sculptured surfaces is studied. This technique is a quick, easy and economical process for a significant improvement of high-end parts. Aiming at the burnishing of complex parts, different strategies are possible. In this case two strategies are presented: continuous burnishing (CB) using 5-axis interpolation and patch burnishing (PB) using 3+2 axis interpolation. Two parts have been previously machined in five-axis and then finished using ball burnishing techniques. The first one is an AISI 1045 hemisphere and the second one is a DIN 1.2379 part (64 HRC). Surface quality has been evaluated for both strategies obtaining a significant improvement of surface roughness and hardness.