Controlling the cut - Nottingham engineers top the leader board

[ Back to EurekAlert! ] Public release date: 11-Apr-2012
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Contact: Lindsay Brooke
lindsay.brooke@nottingham.ac.uk
44-011-595-15751
University of Nottingham

A high-tech, precision, water jet milling control system which could transform the manufacture of complex aerospace, optical and biomedical structures and devices is being developed by an international team of engineers led by The University of Nottingham.

With European funding of 3.8m (3.17m) Dragos Axinte, a professor of manufacturing engineering, and his research team in the Department of Mechanical, Materials and Manufacturing Engineering are developing a new 'self-learning' controlled-depth milling technique which can be programmed to work with high accuracy and without human intervention on the surface of 3D, geometric, multi-gradient surfaces.

Professor Axinte, who is co-ordinating the project, said: "If you want to generate surfaces in difficult-to-cut or heat-sensitive materials while exerting minimal specific forces abrasive water jet milling will do the job. For this technology the research team of ConforM2-Jet project, developed a precision technique to generate even the most complex multi-gradient surfaces with high accuracy.

"The accuracy of the ConforM2-Jet self-learning control system is due to a set of original mathematical models of the material removal and process monitoring techniques to allow corrections of the system as milling is taking place. These unique systems combine to ensure that complex milling of difficult-to-cut materials can be carried out with high accuracy."

Emerging technology

Abrasive water jet machining is one of the most promising non-conventional processing methods for difficult-to-cut materials such as advanced aerospace components, orthopaedic implants, ultra-precision lenses, composites and super-abrasives including diamonds.

This fast emerging technology uses a jet of water as small as 1mm or less in diameter which is released under pressure at as much as three times the speed of sound. With the addition of abrasive particles this high velocity jet of water will cut even the hardest material into the most complex shapes. Or, conversely, precision machine polish optical moulds and lenses at very low pressure.

Professor Axinte said: "Monitoring solutions in other machining processes are either inefficient or cannot cope with the harsh working environment. The ConforM2-Jet project will lead to the development and demonstration of the first self-learning control system for abrasive waterjet milling capable of dealing with advanced applications to address the needs of niche and high value added manufacturing industries. At the end of the project we will have produced the software and a control system to completely automate the abrasive water jet milling and, hence take it out of the craftsmanship remit."

How the new technology will work

Based on the key elements of the milling process and their energy-related sensory signals the technology uses a specially developed computer aided manufacturing (CAM) system to enable the generation of the theoretical path of the jet plume. The self-adaptive module also receives real-time sensorial information indicating the status of the actual abraded abrasive jet footprint that contributes to the generation of the freeform surface. Based on this information, the self-adaptive module makes the necessary adjustments to bring the abrasive water jet milling process to the required performance level. The resulting information is used by the system to refine and update the knowledge on the process, leading to efficient response of the ConforM2-Jet system when new working scenarios are considered.

###

The research team

The Machining and Condition Monitoring Research Team at The University of Nottingham is leading this multimillion euro project to develop a self-learning control system for freeform milling with high energy fluid jets. The research team at The University of Nottingham, led by Professor Axinte includes Dr Carol Kong, Dr Iulian Marinescu, Dr Amir Rabani and Mr Saqib Anwar from the Faculty of Engineering and Professor John Billingham and Mr Calin Miron from the School of Mathematics.

The international team of manufacturing, control and software engineers in collaboration with mathematicians are working closely with leading companies in the aerospace, medical and optical lens industries to develop this new technology.

This new system has been developed in collaboration with researchers in institutions across Europe including Zeeko Ltd (UK), BAE Systems (UK), Finecut AB (Sweden), Royal Institute of Technology KTH (Sweden), University of Applied Sciences Northwestern Switzerland (Switzerland), WATERJet AG (Switzerland), Tekniker (Spain), Ella (Czech Republic).



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AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert! system.


[ Back to EurekAlert! ] Public release date: 11-Apr-2012
[ | E-mail | Share Share ]

Contact: Lindsay Brooke
lindsay.brooke@nottingham.ac.uk
44-011-595-15751
University of Nottingham

A high-tech, precision, water jet milling control system which could transform the manufacture of complex aerospace, optical and biomedical structures and devices is being developed by an international team of engineers led by The University of Nottingham.

With European funding of 3.8m (3.17m) Dragos Axinte, a professor of manufacturing engineering, and his research team in the Department of Mechanical, Materials and Manufacturing Engineering are developing a new 'self-learning' controlled-depth milling technique which can be programmed to work with high accuracy and without human intervention on the surface of 3D, geometric, multi-gradient surfaces.

Professor Axinte, who is co-ordinating the project, said: "If you want to generate surfaces in difficult-to-cut or heat-sensitive materials while exerting minimal specific forces abrasive water jet milling will do the job. For this technology the research team of ConforM2-Jet project, developed a precision technique to generate even the most complex multi-gradient surfaces with high accuracy.

"The accuracy of the ConforM2-Jet self-learning control system is due to a set of original mathematical models of the material removal and process monitoring techniques to allow corrections of the system as milling is taking place. These unique systems combine to ensure that complex milling of difficult-to-cut materials can be carried out with high accuracy."

Emerging technology

Abrasive water jet machining is one of the most promising non-conventional processing methods for difficult-to-cut materials such as advanced aerospace components, orthopaedic implants, ultra-precision lenses, composites and super-abrasives including diamonds.

This fast emerging technology uses a jet of water as small as 1mm or less in diameter which is released under pressure at as much as three times the speed of sound. With the addition of abrasive particles this high velocity jet of water will cut even the hardest material into the most complex shapes. Or, conversely, precision machine polish optical moulds and lenses at very low pressure.

Professor Axinte said: "Monitoring solutions in other machining processes are either inefficient or cannot cope with the harsh working environment. The ConforM2-Jet project will lead to the development and demonstration of the first self-learning control system for abrasive waterjet milling capable of dealing with advanced applications to address the needs of niche and high value added manufacturing industries. At the end of the project we will have produced the software and a control system to completely automate the abrasive water jet milling and, hence take it out of the craftsmanship remit."

How the new technology will work

Based on the key elements of the milling process and their energy-related sensory signals the technology uses a specially developed computer aided manufacturing (CAM) system to enable the generation of the theoretical path of the jet plume. The self-adaptive module also receives real-time sensorial information indicating the status of the actual abraded abrasive jet footprint that contributes to the generation of the freeform surface. Based on this information, the self-adaptive module makes the necessary adjustments to bring the abrasive water jet milling process to the required performance level. The resulting information is used by the system to refine and update the knowledge on the process, leading to efficient response of the ConforM2-Jet system when new working scenarios are considered.

###

The research team

The Machining and Condition Monitoring Research Team at The University of Nottingham is leading this multimillion euro project to develop a self-learning control system for freeform milling with high energy fluid jets. The research team at The University of Nottingham, led by Professor Axinte includes Dr Carol Kong, Dr Iulian Marinescu, Dr Amir Rabani and Mr Saqib Anwar from the Faculty of Engineering and Professor John Billingham and Mr Calin Miron from the School of Mathematics.

The international team of manufacturing, control and software engineers in collaboration with mathematicians are working closely with leading companies in the aerospace, medical and optical lens industries to develop this new technology.

This new system has been developed in collaboration with researchers in institutions across Europe including Zeeko Ltd (UK), BAE Systems (UK), Finecut AB (Sweden), Royal Institute of Technology KTH (Sweden), University of Applied Sciences Northwestern Switzerland (Switzerland), WATERJet AG (Switzerland), Tekniker (Spain), Ella (Czech Republic).



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AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert! system.


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Efficient Instructor | Boot Camp Hawaii | Workouts Nutrition Tips and ...

Michelle Fredrickson
Personal Training/Boxing Instructor/Conditioning Coach

My passion and commitment for training others stems from my longtime involvement in Mixed Martial Arts. I began my fitness journey 21 years ago when I started training and competing as martial artist and amateur kick-boxer. My love for mixed martial arts was instantaneous. By the age of 16, I was instructing others in martial arts, teaching technical classes, and running conditioning drills. While I took a short break from coaching, I pursued a degree as an Elementary Educator and have been teaching for the past 8 years in California, China, and now Hawaii.

I have combined my love for teaching with my passion for fitness. I attained my AFAA personal training certification in May 2008. I enjoy helping clients meet their personal fitness goals by combining High Intensity Interval Training with Boxing and kickboxing techniques. This provides a fun atmosphere while helping students to meet personal fitness goals.

I understand the commitment and discipline needed to reach fitness goals. I have trained with top MMA athletes that currently compete on the professional circuit. I competed as a martial artist, kick-boxer and ran a half-marathon. Training others allows me to share my love and passion for keeping a healthy mind, body and spirit.

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Congo president calls for arrest of wanted warlord

KINSHASA, Congo (AP) ? In a marked turnaround, Congo's president called Wednesday for the arrest of a notorious ex-warlord who has been serving in the country's army despite an international indictment on war crimes charges.

Bosco Ntaganda is accused of using child soldiers for fighting in northeastern Congo from 2002 to 2003. He was first indicted on war crimes charges in 2006 by the Netherlands-based International Criminal Court.

President Joseph Kabila said Wednesday that Ntaganda should be arrested and face a military tribunal in Congo, presidential spokesman Andre Ngwej told The Associated Press by telephone. Kabila said the military doesn't need to hand Ntaganda over to the ICC.

"We ourselves can arrest him because we have more than 100 reasons to arrest and judge him right here (in Goma), and if not here, then in Kinshasa or elsewhere in our country," Kabila said in the Swahili language.

The president made the comments during a meeting with community leaders in the country's remote eastern province of North Kivu.

In the Hague, Netherlands, international court prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo said Ntaganda is a fugitive and needs to be brought to justice. "He should be arrested for the sake and the security of victims and citizens in the whole region," Moreno-Ocampo said.

In the past, Kabila had refused calls to hand over Ntaganda, arguing his cooperation was essential to keeping the peace in the troubled east of the country where numerous local militias and foreign rebels operate.

Ntaganda was integrated into the Congolese army along with unknown hundreds of troops under a peace deal ending a 2009 rebellion that was negotiated as the rebels were about to take the provincial capital of Goma.

The integration has allowed large portions of eastern Congo to come under the dominion of Ntaganda's troops, who are largely from the Tutsi ethnic group and are accused of raping, looting and otherwise brutalizing other communities.

Kabila also noted Wednesday that the army was not supposed to be tribal.

Anneke van Woudenberg, a Human Rights Watch expert on Congo, said that Kabila's government is legally bound to transfer Ntaganda to The Hague after referring the crimes committed in Congo to the ICC in 2004. The Congolese government will have to submit a request to the ICC, if it now wants to try Ntaganda domestically before a military tribunal, she said.

"There is a lot of value in judicial trials taking place close to where the crimes occurred, but after years of conflict Congo's justice system remains weak and is unlikely, at this stage, to be able to try Ntaganda's crimes in a free and fair process," she said.

The Congolese president's announcement follows clashes this week between troops loyal to Ntaganda and other soldiers in the Congolese army in the eastern town of Rutshuru, according to the army spokesman for eastern Congo, Maj. Sylvain Ikenge.

Ikenge said that a colonel and a major responsible for the mutiny had fled into the bush with a small number of troops. "But everything is calm in Rutshuru today and 90 percent of the troops have remained loyal to the government," he said. It was unclear how other troops under Ntaganda's command might react to any arrest of Ntaganda.

In a 2010 interview with The Associated Press, Ntaganda vigorously denied the allegations and said he did not fear arrest on the ICC charges.

"I don't think that the U.N. is able to arrest me in Congo because they have arms that I also have and that can protect me when they try to arrest me," he said. "If it is established that I committed crimes, I won't hesitate to answer them to a court in my country. But I will never accept answering charges by the International Court."

Pressure has been mounting for Ntaganda's arrest since the International Criminal Court convicted another Congolese warlord Thomas Lubanga last month of using child soldiers, the first judgment in the court's 10-year history.

The ICC prosecutor stepped up the pressure against Congo last month after Lubanga's conviction, saying he would travel there to press Kabila to hand over Ntaganda.

Moreno-Ocampo also has said that he plans to add charges of murder and rape to Ntaganda's indictment, a move that was welcomed by human rights groups.

___

Associated Press writers Mike Corder in The Hague, Netherlands, and Michelle Faul and Rukmini Callimachi contributed to this report from Dakar, Senegal.

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The Benefits Of Personal Development | Share Tutorial Programing

The entire process of individual development is different from the formal schooling process in that these teaches new concepts, but it is only from the internal individual processes of self improvement that individuals learn to apply that knowledge as well as grow. The reason is that personal development training comprises activities that improve mind and identity, grows the individual?s potential and for that reason enhance quality of life outside of what normal education and learning can do. It takes the aspirations and perspective of an individual in addition to turns it onto reality far more with the items can be set of just education. Given this, it?s clear that the great things about personal development are significant. Here are a few of those gains:

? Personal development empowers the individual. It stops individuals from being sufferers by letting others control their lives and their destiny. It movements them away from a lifetime of submission and subsistence, residing according to someone else?s schedule, wishes and within someone else?s power in to a life of personal achievements and personal control. The idea not only improves home knowledge, but also boosts social abilities, health insurance and lifestyles.
? Self development does not have to be tough and expensive like formal education. It can be achieved by self research, role play, teaching and mentoring, functional involvement and bigger reading, all of which are generally free, easy and can be done during the time limits to every individuals liking. Even though developing personally are not measured without goal setting techniques and against the accomplishment of goals, it is as diverse since the individual?s own ambitions and vision.
? Self improvement sets people free. It ties directly into being empowering, nonetheless it goes further also. It sets individuals free from a life of merely limited possibilities, produces opportunities and can generate income from acquired learning along with development which would happen to be impossible before.
? Home growth focuses on targets and visions, which can be in contrast with just learning for the acquisition of information. Through setting goals men and women take control of their existence and destiny in addition to contribute to the best interests of society generally as well. Attaining ambitions moves humankind ahead, one goal at a time. This way it contributes to the aspirations associated with groups of people, getting led by a reasoning behind developing the personal.
? Personal development is never ending, it is ongoing. Understanding courses has to stop at some point in time, if the individual has learnt everything they can possibly learn about the subject, nevertheless personal development, being an internal process inside an person, means that growth of see your face is infinite ? it never should end. It relates to improving oneself infinitely, only to be ended when the individual chooses to end the process consciously. Nonetheless, it is also true that self improvement as an unconscious approach continues, even if folks are not aware or devoted to development itself.
? Self improvement is the individual?s liability. It is not up to how good or bad the system of governments and proper education institutions tend to be, but rather it is around the drive of the people to develop and generate the internal personal development. Whenever people take responsibility for their unique development, formal training and government service systems can enrich that development, however it has to start with the individual themselves to start a process of personal development.
The benefits of personal development significantly outweigh the benefits of education alone. When individuals be responsible for their own personal advancement, it will deliver personal freedom, empowerment, it is extremely easy and inexpensive and accessible to more people as compared to formal education by itself. As individuals individually develop, it causes increased human capital and improved production of groups of individuals and even nations.

For more information about personal development visit our website.

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LED Light ? Conserving With LED Bulbs - Home Improvement Ideas

by Home on Wednesday, April 11th, 2012 | Comments Off

A great number of times we as home owners as well as company members aim to look for ideas to do our part in lessening our actions that abuse the planet. There are all categories of activities done to help encourage a greener ecosystem but the solutions sometimes lie in our lights. Don?t stop reading yet, given that in all significance, you can make an important difference by just changing the sort of light bulbs you apply.

LED lights are a well-liked choice to normal household illuminating technologies because they?re both electrical power keeping and more affordable also. There?s no minimizing them to interior or exterior considering the fact that they can be utilized for both economically but is typically common to be utilized in large interior areas with higher roofs for instance great warehouses, hangers, industrial facilities, gyms and others. This is due to the fact that with the roof being so high, it would be definitely complicated to switch the light bulbs almost everyday, so these illumination are the preferable solution because of the fact that they last a very long time.

These lights are impressive for the reason that they?re extremely lasting and could go up to ten times more than common fluorescent as well as incandescent bulbs. You wouldn?t have to be bothered about them burning out nearly every few months or year and you will conserve a great deal since you?d shop for minimal light bulbs compared to before. Hence, it?s also very energy clever as it takes up very little electric power only. You?d spend less far more when compared to applying other lighting. It only utilizes about two to ten watts plus it will help you economize up to roughly sixty six percent of your entire utility charge, economizing you too much eventually. Several people anticipate that with such exceptionally low electrical energy utilization, the lighting quality wouldn?t be as well as other lamp sorts but that?s where they?re mistaken. LED lights are typically shiny compared to normal lights and they give you vivid and high quality lighting that could illuminate the entire place. It has even got an awesome even delivery of lighting that functions awesome for sizable spaces which needs a lot of lights. You can put up the illumination with dimmer if you?d love to lessen the glow.

Additionally, you?d also be doing a very good part for the earth because of the fact that this is the most Environmentally friendly light bulbs method offered and with such minimum electricity utilization; they have got a remarkably cool color temperature that?s far better for the earth also. What makes LED bulbsspecial and also unique from others is that they?re produced with diodes plus no filament. Diodes are high-priced stuff however they?re what make the lights stable, have a better lifespan and have greater stability towards injury. Transforming from your typical light bulbs to this one could make you think twice since these are way more expensive however if you evaluate them eventually you will notice that you?d be doing your finances a benefit by making the switch. LED lamps aren?t just products; they?re savings and beneficial ones as well!

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Breast Cancer Treatment Side Effects May Last for Years

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New prize fund for marine energy

The UK government has funded a prize intended to encourage Britain's first full-scale wave energy projects.

Bids have been invited for the ?20m prize.

The funding has been earmarked for clusters of tidal devices to be laid out in formation, a crucial step in making the technology commercially viable.

It has been estimated half of the world's leading companies in wave and tidal power are based in the UK.

They include Scottish-based AWS Ocean Energy, which is planning the worlds biggest wave farm, and Pelamis Wave power, which is testing its sea snake wave machine off Orkney and has a lease to develop a windfarm off the Western isles.

The government has launched a marine energy park off the south west of England, linking university researchers and private companies.

A second marine energy park will be announced in the summer and is likely to be based in Scotland.

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Social Media and Its Impact on Small Business Marketing [Infographic]

Last updated 13 hours ago

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However, as the infographic below illustrates, potential customers? participation in social media is the number three reason small businesses use social media. What else drives small business owners to create a profile on social networking sites? How do their ideas about social media differ from their consumers? And how can investing in the knowledge of an expert potentially help the bottom line? Check out the infographic from Intuit below to find out.

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How does this affect small business? customer acquisition and retention efforts? Here are a few key takeaways to keep in mind:

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1) Businesses engaging with customers on Facebook build loyalty and drive word of mouth.

With approximately 9 million small businesses on Facebook, it is becoming more important for small business owners to develop a social strategy that differentiates them from their competitors online. Connecting with fans who are current customers not only builds loyalty, but also increases the chance that they will recommend the business to their friends. And as 51% of potential consumers who fan a business page become purchasers, friend recommendations can be a great boost for business.

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2) Special deals and offers are the top reasons consumers follow a brand on Facebook.?

About 37% of consumers stated that special offers and discounts were the main reason they followed a business on Facebook. Offering incentives is a great way to reward followers, creating an engaged community and developing a dynamic Web presence. ?

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3) Social Media Experts can help take the burden off building and managing social media pages.

From a small business owner?s perspective, the low cost and small amount of work to run a social media page are the top reasons to create a social media presence. However, as the research shows, one of the main reasons small business owners don?t comment or respond to fans is because they don?t have the time. Not only can hiring a social media expert help you grow and maintain a social presence, provide strategic thinking, manage online reputations, and potentially increase sales, it also allows small business owners to do what they are experts in ? their business.?

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How has social media changed the way you connect with your consumers? Let us know in the comments!?

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Learn More

If you are interested in learning more about how our ReachCast service can partner your small business with an expert Web Presence Professional who will help you leverage social media for your small business, feel free to contact us.

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About the Author

Tara Banda writes about how small business owners can reach local customers through online marketing and social media for the ReachCast blog. You can connect with her on Twitter.?

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Report: Dental X-Rays Linked to Brain Cancer | DC Patient Advocate

The American Cancer Society has published a study which links dental x-rays to brain cancer.? As reported in the Washington Post, the study found that ?that people with meningioma were more than twice as likely as people without the brain tumor to have had a bitewing X-ray sometime in their life.??? The study also found a link between ?panorex? x-rays, which are taken from outside the mouth, and meningioma risk.?

The American Dental Association issued a statement asking to reduce panic, but also invited patients to talk openly with their dentists about the risks and benefits of any x-ray.? ADA guidelines for X-Rays can be found here.

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