Finite element modeling and optimization to prevent wire breakage in electro-discharge machining

One of the most important problems in wire electrical discharge machining is related to wire breakage. This research develops a simple finite element model and a new approach to predict the thermal distribution in the wire fairly accurately. The model can be used to optimize the different parameters of the system to prevent wire breakage. At any instant of time, the spatial heat distribution profile of the wire can be mapped on the transient analysis of any point on the wire traversing through all the heat zones from the top spool to the bottom end. Based on this principle, the finite element model and optimization algorithm are used to determine that the heat generated is the critical variable responsible for wire breakage. The model successfully predicts the thermal distribution profile accurately for various wire materials, for increased wire velocity and for reduction in heat transfer coefficient. This simple model is a precursor of development for 3-D finite element models that can describe the cross-sectional wire erosion as the workpiece cutting progresses. The modeling may lead to the development of a smart electro-discharge machining system with a sensor and feedback control to increase the cutting speed and minimize breakage.     

Wave propagation in circular cylindrical shells with periodic axial curvature

The propagation of longitudinal and flexural waves in axisymmetric circular cylindrical shells with periodic circular axial curvature is studied using a finite element method previously developed by the authors. Of primary interest is the coupling of these wave modes due to the periodic axial curvature which results in the generation of two types of stop bands not present in straight circular cylinders. The first type is related to the periodic spacing and occurs independently for longitudinal and flexural wave modes without coupling. However, the second type is caused by longitudinal and flexural wave mode coupling due to the axial curvature. A parametric study is conducted where the effects of cylinder radius, degree of axial curvature, and periodic spacing on wave propagation characteristics are investigated. It is shown that even a small degree of periodic axial curvature results in significant stop bands associated with wave mode coupling. These stop bands are broad and conceivably could be tuned to a specific frequency range by judicious choice of the shell parameters. Forced harmonic analyses performed on finite periodic structures show that strong attenuation of longitudinal and flexural motion occurs in the frequency ranges associated with the stop bands of the infinite periodic structure.     

Analysis for optimal pattern synthesis of time modulated concentric circular antenna array using memetic firefly algorithm

In this paper the optimal performance of time modulated nine-ring concentric circular antenna array with isotropic elements has been studied based on an evolutionary optimization algorithm hybridized with local heuristic search called memetic firefly algorithm (MFA). The firefly algorithm has been applied followed by Nelder–Mead simplex method for the local heuristic search to achieve the optimal fine tuning. Other algorithms like real coded genetic algorithm (RGA) and particle swarm optimization (PSO) have been used for the comparison purpose. The comparisons among the algorithms have been made with two case studies as Case-1 and Case-2, and with two different fitness functions \((f_{{ fitness}1}, f_{{ fitness}2})\) and three control parameters like inter-element uniform/non-uniform spacing in rings, inter-ring radii and the switching-on times of rings. The simulation results show that the MFA outperforms RGA and PSO for both the cases Case-1, Case-2 and \(f_{{ fitness}1}\), \(f_{{ fitness}2}\), respectively with respect to better side lobe level (SLL). The fitness function \(f_{{ fitness}2}\) is better than the \(f_{{ fitness}1}\) with respect to sideband level. Apart from this, powers radiated at the centre/fundamental frequency and the first two sideband frequencies, and dynamic efficiency have been computed. It is found that power radiated by any sideband frequency is much less as compared to the power radiated at the centre frequency. It has been observed that as the sideband frequency increases, SBL decreases to the greater extent as compared to SLL. As per authors’ knowledge there is a little research contribution by any other previous researcher regarding numerical computation of radiation characteristics as SBLs, powers radiated at the fundamental frequency and its two sideband frequencies, directivity, and dynamic efficiency for time-modulated CCAA.     

Finite difference method of solution of unsteady magnetic hydrodynamic boundary layer equations in a natural convection

The paper presents an investigation of the effect of a transverse magnetic field on an unsteady natural convection along a heated vertical plate. Finite difference method is employed to solve the non-linear equations governing the motion. The difference scheme satisfies consistency and stability conditions. The stability condition depends on time step which has to be satisfied in every time step. Proper care has been taken for the non-linear terms. The solutions have been deduced for different values of the magnetic field intensity. The results are satisfactory. In long run our results coincides with the steady state solutions already existing in the literature.     

Reanalysis of the D → X fluorescence spectrum of I2

The uv fluorescence spectrum of I₂ excited by iodine atomic radiation at 1830 Å is photographed and analyzed using a direct least-squares-fitting method with consistency constraints on the centrifugal distortion constants. The analysis confirms Verma's [J. Chem. Phys.32, 738–749 (1960)] prior analysis of this spectrum and yields improved molecular constants for v = 0–99 of the X state and $\text{v ? 204–208}$ of the D state.     

Model-free kinetics analysis of decomposition of polypropylene over Al-MCM-41

Both thermal and catalytic decomposition of PP sample is studied to understand the effect of catalyst (Al-MCM-41) on the decomposition behaviour. Mesoporous catalyst (Al-MCM-41) is synthesized by sol–gel methods and characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis and nitrogen adsorption study. The optimum catalyst composition is found to be around 18.5 wt%, where the reduction in maximum decomposition temperature is around 103 °C. The nonlinear Vyazovkin model-free technique is applied to evaluate the quantitative information on variation of E with for PP sample under both catalytic and noncatalytic nonisothermal conditions.

The constant pattern behaviour of the TG curves and the similar trend on variation of E with for both catalytic and noncatalytic decomposition of PP indicates similar mechanism involved during decomposition. The only effect of catalyst is observed in the form of reduction of the temperature and the activation energy. The literature reported data on such variation are compared with the results of the present study. Results show that Al-MCM-41 is superior to the ZSM-5 catalyst in terms of catalyst loading due to the existence of larger external macropore and mesopore surface in it.     

Rare azido-bridged manganese(II) systems: syntheses, crystal structures, and magnetic properties

Two new polymeric azido-bridged manganese complexes of formulas [Mn(N3)2 (bpee)]n (1) and {[Mn(N3)(dpyo)Cl(H2O)2](H2O)}n (2) [bpee, trans-1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)ethylene; dpyo, 4,4'-dipyridyl N,N'-dioxide] have been synthesized and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis and low-temperature magnetic study. Both the complexes 1 and 2 crystallize in the triclinic system, space group P1, with a = 8.877(3) A, b = 11.036(3) A, c = 11.584(4) A, alpha = 72.62(2) degrees, beta = 71.06(2) degrees, gamma = 87.98(3) degrees, and Z = 1 and a = 7.060(3) A, b = 10.345(3) A, c = 11.697(4) A, alpha = 106.86(2) degrees, beta = 113.33(2) degrees, gamma = 96.39(3) degrees, and Z = 2, respectively. Complex 1 exhibits a 2D structure of [-Mn(N3)2-]n chains, connected by bpee ligands, whose pyridine rings undergo pi-pi and C-H...pi interactions. This facilitates the rare arrangement of doubly bridged azide ligands with one end-on and two end-to-end (EO-EE-EE) sequence. Complex 2 is a neutral 1D polymer built up by [Mn(N3)(dpyo)Cl(H2O)2] units and lattice water molecules. The metals are connected by single EE azide ligands, which are arranged in a cis position to the Mn(II) center. The 1D zipped chains are linked by H-bonds involving lattice water molecules and show pi-pi stacking of dpyo pyridine rings to form a supramolecular 2D layered structure. The magnetic studies were performed in 2-300 K temperature range, and the data were fitted by considering an alternating chain of exchange interactions with S = 5/2 (considered as classical spin) with the spin Hamiltonians H = -Ji sigma(S(3i)S(3i+1) + S(3i+1)S(3i+2)) - J2 sigmaS(3i-1)S(3i) and H = -Ji sigmaS(2i)S(2i+1) - J2 sigmaS(2i+1)S(2i+2) for complexes 1 and 2, respectively. Complex 2 exhibits small antiferromagnetic coupling between the metal centers, whereas 1 exhibits a new case of topological ferromagnetism, which is very unusual.     

Vertical Sediment Concentration Distribution in High-Concentrated Flows:An Analytical Solution Using Homotopy Analysis Method

Transport of suspended sediment in open channel flow has an enormous impact on real life situations,viz. control and management of reservoir sedimentation, geomorphic evolution such as dunes, rivers, and coastlines etc. Transport entails advection and diffusion. Turbulent diffusion is governed by the concept of Fick’s law, which is based on the molecular diffusion theory, and the equation that represents the distribution of sediment concentration is the advection-diffusion equation. The study uses the existing governing equation which considers different phases for solid and fluid, and then couples the two phases. To deal with high-concentrated flow, sediment and turbulent diffusion coefficients are taken to be different from each other. The effect of hindered settling on sediment particles is incorporated in the governing equation, which makes the equation highly non-linear. This study derives an explicit closed-form analytical solution to the generalized one-dimensional diffusion equation representing the vertical sediment concentration distribution with an arbitrary turbulent diffusion coefficient profile. The solution is obtained by Homotopy Analysis Method, which does not rely on the small parameters present in the equation. Finally, the solution is validated by comparing it with the implicit solution and the numerical solution. A relevant set of laboratory data is selected to check the applicability of the model, and a close agreement shows the potential of the model in the context of application to high-concentrated sediment-laden open channel flow.