Collaborative Research: Electromagnetic Pulse Cutting of Metallic Components

该奖项的目的是研究新的电磁切割技术，用于在有或没有机械辅助的情况下，从薄金属板和板自由成形制造异形零件。这一过程被称为电磁脉冲感应切割和非接触磁切割，是基于在电磁和一种情况下联合机械载荷下控制细裂纹的推进。从概念上讲，这个过程类似于一个微尺寸的电磁拼图，有一个以微米为单位的切口。该方法是：(a)通过建模与实验相结合，建立机械和电磁力联合作用下断裂力学的理论基础；(b)通过实验优化控制电磁驱动裂纹扩展的条件，同时有和没有机械加载和主动样品冷却；(c)开发机电驱动自由形状金属切削的实验试验台。如果成功，这项研究的好处将包括增加对机电切割过程性质的理解，最终建立实验室示范试验台，并最终导致技术转让和商业化；本科生和研究生教育；以及结果的传播。拟议的研究结果将通过为商业化提供新的制造工艺来影响国内竞争。几名本科生将协助由两所大学本科生相关研究经验资助的研究。未被充分代表的少数族裔本科生将被聘用，他们显示出很强的研究生追求潜力。该项目的结果将广泛传播，以增进具体和技术上的了解。这将通过教师和学生参加学术学会会议和国家科学基金部门的土木、机械和制造创新资助会议来实现。

The objective of this award is to research novel electromagnetic cutting techniques for freeformed fabrication of shaped parts from thin metallic sheet and plates with and without mechanical assistance. The processes, termed Electromagnetic Pulse Induced Cutting and Non-Contact Magnetic Cutting, are based on the controlled advance of a fine crack under an electromagnetic and in one case combined mechanical loading. Conceptually, the processes are akin to a microsized, electromagnetic jigsaw with a kerf measured in microns. The approach is (a) to develop a theoretical basis for fracture mechanics under combined mechanical and electromagnetic forces through a combination of modeling and experiment, (b) to experimentally optimize the conditions for controlled electromagnetically driven crack extension, with and without simultaneous mechanical loading and active sample cooling, and (c) to develop experimental testbeds for demonstrating electromechanical driven freeform metal cutting.If successful, the benefits of this research will include increased understanding of the nature of the electromechanical cutting processes culminating in creation of laboratory demonstration testbeds and leading eventually to technology transfer and commercialization; education of undergraduate and graduate students; and dissemination of results. The results of the proposed research will impact domestic competition by providing novel manufacturing processes for commercialization. Several undergraduate students will assist in the research funded by associated Research Experience for Undergraduates grants at both universities. Under-represented minority undergraduates will be hired who show strong potential for graduate pursuits. Results of the project will be broadly disseminated to enhance specific and technological understanding. This will be done both through faculty and student participation at meetings of learned societies and the National Science Foundation Division of Civil, Mechanical and Manufacturing Innovation Grantees Conferences.