Papers by Author: Takashi Sato

Abstract: This paper proposes an alternative ultrasonic welding technique capable of welding plastic parts with different shapes and sizes. In this method, a thin plastic sheet of less than 0.5 mm in thickness is fixed to the ultrasonic vibration body called the horn, and two plastic workpieces to be welded are pressed upon the sheet from both sides at a constant normal pressure. Once the horn starts to ultrasonically vibrate, frictional heat is momentarily generated between the sheet and the plastic workpieces, increasing the frictional temperature to a high level. When the temperature increases to over the melting point of all the materials, the materials melt and eventually are welded after the ultrasonic vibration stops. In the current work, an experimental apparatus was designed and constructed. A series of experiments was subsequently carried out on the apparatus to investigate how the surface roughness of the workpieces, the welding time, and the normal welding pressure affect the actual welding area and the tensile strength of the welded workpieces. The experimental results showed that a bigger welding area and a higher tensile strength can be obtained under the appropriate welding conditions, providing validation of the new welding method.

Abstract: In our previous study, a new centerless grinding method using surface grinder was proposed. This paper describes a simulation method for investigating the workpiece rounding process in which a model taking the elastic deformation of the machine into consideration is created, and revealing how the process parameters affect the machining accuracy in the new grinding technique. In addition, a practice way to determine the machining-elasticity parameter showing the elastic deformation is developed. The simulation results are compared to show the effect of process parameters on the machining accuracy.

Abstract: In our previous study, a new centerless grinding method using surface grinder was proposed. In this method, a compact unit consisting mainly of an ultrasonic elliptic-vibration shoe, a blade, and their respective holders is installed on the worktable of a multipurpose surface grinder to conduct tangential-feed centerless grinding operations. For the complete establishment of this new method, firstly in this paper workpiece rotational speed control tests were carried out to make sure that the workpiece rotational speed is exactly controlled by the elliptic vibration of shoe to achieve high-precision centerless grinding. Then, the effects of the process parameters such as the worktable feed rate, the stock removal and the workpiece rotational speed on the workpiece roundness were clarified experimentally. The obtained results showed that (1) The workpiece rotational speed can be controlled exactly by the shoe ultrasonic vibration, (2) The roundness is improved with the increases in the voltage applied and the stock removal, but the decrease in the worktable feed rate; The best roundness obtained was 0.84m.

Abstract: This paper deals with the experimental investigation on the detailed performance of MCF (magnetic compound fluid) polishing liquid (MPL) in nano-precision surface treatment of acrylic resin that is essentially required for producing the model in the process of developing an inaugural mechanical system. The MPL is produced in practice by mixing iron powder, abrasive particle and -cellulose fiber into a MF (magnetic fluid), and hence a kind of functional fluid reacting to magnetic fields. Following the previous works confirming the performance of MPL in the surface finishing of acrylic resin, in this work a series of experiments were conducted to reveal how the process parameters affect the machining characteristics in details in order to establish the new technique. The results showed that a mirror surface can be easily obtained once the process parameters have been set up optimally.

Abstract: Magnetic compound fluid (MCF), a functional fluid responding to magnetic field, is expected for an application to many engineering fields. In this paper, the effect of magnetic fields on the polishing force and the restoring ability of the MCF are studied followed by the proposal of a new polishing technique using the MCF. Under a fluctuating magnetic field generated by a revolution of permanent magnet, the magnetic particles in the MCF show a higher particle disposition and an accumulating action compared to a static magnetic field. Thus the MCF generates the greater restoring ability but the lower polishing force compared to that under the static magnetic field. When the MCF under the fluctuating magnetic field is applied to the polishing as the flexible tool, it shows the high polishing performance. As a result, a feasibility of a new polishing technique using the MCF for a three-dimensional structure is confirmed.