EAGER/Collaborative Research: Electromagnetic Pulse Induced Cutting (EPIC) of Metallic Components

这项探索性研究早期概念资助（EAGER）奖的研究目标是展示一种新型制造工艺的概念验证，该工艺用于以无工具，自由成形的方式切割薄板和板材。 该过程被称为电磁脉冲诱导切割，是基于电磁和机械载荷联合作用下细裂纹的受控推进。 该方法将利用与一系列电脉冲相关联的电磁力来推进裂纹前沿，同时使用机械载荷来限定裂纹方向。 实际上，目标是以高度受控的方式在片材或板材上几乎任何方向上移动裂纹。 从概念上讲，这个过程类似于一个微型的，无工具的，电磁拼图与切口测量微米。 作为拟议研究的一部分，电磁洛伦兹力产生的原理，由于电流拥挤导致的裂纹尖端局部加热，以及混合模式断裂力学，将结合使用简单的实验原型来推导出推进和转动裂纹所需的条件。如果成功，该研究对社会的益处将包括出现一种用于精密切割中等尺度薄片和脆性箔的新制造工艺，难以加工的材料。因此，这一过程有可能成为一种新的使能技术，为国家？的生产基地。 此外，该项目将通过促进美国两所大学研究生的发现和理解来整合研究和教育。

The research objective of this Early Concept Grant for Exploratory Research (EAGER) award is to demonstrate proof-of-concept of a novel manufacturing process for cutting thin sheet and plates in a tool-less, freeformed fashion. The process, termed Electromagnetic Pulse Induced Cutting, is based on the controlled advance of a fine crack under combined electromagnetic and mechanical loading. The approach will be to utilize electromagnetic forces associated with a series of electric pulses to advance the crack front while using a mechanical load to define the crack direction. In effect, the goal is to move a crack in a highly controlled manner in virtually any direction on a sheet or plate. Conceptually, the process is akin to a microsized, tool-less, electromagnetic jigsaw with a kerf measured in microns. As part of the proposed research, the principles of electromagnetic Lorentz force generation, localized heating at the crack-tip due to current-crowding, and mixed mode fracture mechanics will be combined to derive the conditions required to advance and turn the crack using a simple experimental prototype.If successful, the benefit to society of the research will include the emergence of a new manufacturing process for precision-cutting of mesoscale thin sheets and foils of brittle, hard-to-process materials. As such, the process has the potential to serve as a new enabling technology for the nation?s manufacturing base. In addition, this project will integrate research and education by advancing discovery and understanding by graduate students at two American universities.