Environmental issues have become a global concern recently. Countries worldwide are making efforts for carbon neutrality. In the automotive industry, focus has shifted from internal combustion engine vehicle to eco-friendly vehicles such as Electric Vehicles (EVs), Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs), and Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEVs). For driving strategy, research on vehicle driving method that can reduce vehicle energy consumption, called eco-driving, has been actively conducted recently. Conventional cruise mode driving control is not considered an optimal driving strategy for various driving environments. To maximize energy efficiency, this paper conducted research on eco-driving strategy for EVs-based on reinforcement learning. A longitudinal dynamics-based electric vehicle simulator was constructed using MATLAB Simulink with a road slope. Reinforcement learning algorithms, specifically Deep Deterministic Policy Gradient (DDPG) and Deep QNetwork (DQN), were applied to minimize energy consumption of EVs with a road slope. The simulator was trained to maximize rewards and derive an optimal speed profile. In this study, we compared learning results of DDPG and DQN algorithms and confirmed tendencies by parameters in each algorithm. The simulation showed that energy efficiency of EVs was improved compared to that of cruise mode driving.

This study investigated the Laser-Induced Plasma Backward Deposition (LIPBD) process for transparent glass-copper composite film production. LIPBD was compared with Laser-Induced Backward Transfer (LIBT). Controlling laser parameters and the z-axis position of Depth of focus (DOF) resulted in various post-deposition outcomes. The optimal deposition depth was 10 μm to 90 μm, ensuring good glass-copper adhesion. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) mapping confirmed copper and copper oxide (CuO) particles. X-ray diffraction confirmed Cu and CuO peaks. The adhesive test showed a strong binding between glass and deposition, but the parts of the cracks caused by heat accumulation were delaminated during the test. LIPBD offers controlled deposition potential for glass-copper composites. Optimizing laser parameters leads to high-quality films. This study provides valuable insights into nanotechnology and the semiconductor industry, with potential applications across diverse fields.

Titanium alloys are used in various industries due to their superior mechanical strength and corrosion resistance. However, titanium is classified as a difficult-to-machine material due to its low thermal conductivity that consequently causes poor tool life. In this study, cryogenic+MQL milling was performed to improve the machinability of Ti-6Al-4V; a cryogenic coolant and a minimum quantity fluid were sprayed simultaneously. The machinability was analyzed according to the cooling and lubrication conditions, focusing on the cutting force and tool wear. When the minimum quantity fluid was injected using two nozzles during cryogenic machining, the cutting force remained low despite the increase in machining distance due to the effective lubrication. The average cutting force at the long machining distances (82-86 passes) was 14.8% lower than that under the wet condition. The tool wear progressed without chipping, and the flank wear length was 55.5% lower than that of the wet machining because the cryogenic cooling and minimum quantity lubrication reduced the tool temperature, friction, and thermal shock.

FEM (Finite Element Method)-based numerical analysis model, which is known as CAE (Computer Aided Engineering) technology, has been adopted for the visual/mechanical analysis of machining process. The essential models for the FEM analytical model are the plasticity model of workpieces, friction model, and wear rate model. Usually, the outputs of the FEM analytical model are the cutting force, the cutting temperature, and chip formation. Based on these outputs, the machining performance can be virtually evaluated without experiments. Nowadays, there are emerging machining technologies, such as cryogenic assisted machining and CFRP machining. Therefore, FEM technique can be one of the good candidate to virtually evaluate emerging developed machining technologies.

The surface roughness and cutting forces are the important factors for the machine-part quality during the hard-turning process. The aim of this paper is to optimize hard-cutting conditions via implementation of response surface methodology (RSM). The experiments were conducted for the hard-turning process with the Box-Behnken design. The validation of the surface roughness and cutting forces was performed with the obtained 2nd order polynomial regression model. The results showed that the surface roughness was strongly dependent upon the RPM. The diminution of the cutting force was attributed to the low feed rate and the depth of cut. On the basis of the RSM, optimized cutting conditions of RPM, feed rate, and depth of cut are 3440, 0.0352 [mm/rev], and 0.03 [mm]. In this optimal cutting condition, the surface roughness can be around Ra= 0.202 μm.

Cryogenic machining uses liquid nitrogen (LN2) as a coolant. This machining process can reduce the cutting temperature and increase tool life. Titanium alloys have been widely used in the aerospace and automobile industries because of their high strength-to-weight ratio. However, they are difficult to machine because of their poor thermal properties, which reduce tool life. In this study, we applied cryogenic machining to titanium alloys. Orthogonal cutting experiments were performed at a low cutting speed (1.2 – 2.1 m/min) in three cooling conditions: dry, cryogenic, and cryogenic plus heat. Cutting force and friction coefficients were observed to evaluate the machining characteristics for each cooling condition. For the cryogenic condition, cutting force and friction coefficients increased, but decreased for the cryogenic plus heat condition.

This study was conducted in order to develop a finger exoskeleton system using ionic polymer metal composites (IPMCs) as the actuator and sensor in a hybrid structure. To use the IPMC as an actuator producing large force, a first order transfer function was obtained using results from a block force for DC excitation that applied to two IPMCs of 20mm-width, 50mm-length, and 2.4mm thickness together. After which the validation of 200gf control with anti-windup PI controller was confirmed. A 5mm-width, 50mm-length, 0.6mm-thickness of IPMC was also modeled as a sensor for tip displacement. As a result, the IPMC sensor could been utilized as a trigger role for the actuator. Finally, an IPMC sensor and actuator were installed on the joint of a single DOF exoskeleton in the hybrid structure, and test for the control of 40gf of block force and predefined sequence of motion was performed.

A finger exoskeleton actuated by ionic polymer metal composite (IPMC) actuators has been developed. In order to evaluate performance of cylindrical grasping of finger exoskeletons, they were equipped with a hand dummy, which is composed of four fingers. The finger dummy has three joints that can be actuated by bending the IPMC actuators. A four finger grasping motion was analyzed using cameras, and cylindrical grasping motion was accomplished within two minutes after applying a 4 volt direct voltage to the IPMC actuators. A pull out test was also performed to evaluate the cylindrical grasping force of the finger exoskeletons actuated by the IPMC actuators. Each finger generated about 2 N of holding force when grasping the cylinder which had a diameter of 50 mm.

In order to demonstrate the possibility of applying an ionic polymer metal composite (IPMC) to a finger exoskeleton, pinching motion analysis was performed for a thumb-index finger dummy actuated by IPMC actuators. The IPMC actuators of 5mm in width and 40mm in length with 2.4mm thickness generated 1.52N of blocking force for the applying voltage of 4.0V. Three actuators were installed on the three rotary joint of an index finger, and one actuator was installed on one proximal joint. Positions of each joint and finger tip were recorded on the video camera, and motion was analyzed. Power supply to the index finger actuators preceded power supply to the thumb actuator, and key pinching motion was accomplished in 180s. Tip pinching was accomplished in 135s as power supply to the thumb preceded power supply to the index finger.

This paper presents the design and dynamic model of the finger exoskeleton actuated by Ionic Polymer Metal Composites (IPMC) to assist a tip pinch task. Although this exoskeleton will be developed to assist 3 degree-of-freedom motion of each finger, it has been currently made to perform the tip pinch task using 1 degree-of-freedom mechanism as the first step. The six layers of IPMC were stacked in parallel to increase the low actuation force of IPMC. In addition, the finger dummy was manufactured to evaluate the performance of the finger exoskeleton. The pinch task experiments, which were performed on the finger dummy with the developed exoskeleton, showed that the pinch force close to the desired level was obtained. Moreover, the dynamic model of the exoskeleton and finger dummy was developed in order to perform the various analyses for the improvement of the exoskeleton.

The bonding process of LCD panel is attaching an inner lead to an outer lead in the production line of LCD panel module. It is composed of an OLB process and a PCB bonding process. Since bonding tool assembly is one of the core parts of the bonding equipment that determines the durability and performance of the final product, much design efforts to enhance uniformity and efficiency of the process have been made. In this paper, FE analyses have been employed to determine the bonding tool size. Bonding tool of long bar shape has been simplified as a piece with same heater pitch, and appropriate boundary conditions such as convection and radiation are considered. Thermal analysis results by the FEM have been validated by the experiments. With the use of FE analysis varies design parameters and the corresponding effects have been evaluated. It was observed that the approach presented in this paper could be employed for the design of LCD module bonding tool.

The design of press bonding tool in LCD module equipment is a very complex and difficult task because many designable variables are involved while their effects are not known. It takes longtime experiments and much expenses to verify the effects of these design variables. However the optimization of bonding tool using OLB(outer lead bonding) and PCB Bonding is a very important problem in LCD manufacturing process, so much design efforts have been made for improving the bonding tool performance. In this paper, a reasonable and fast process which gives optimized solution under the design requirements has been presented. Both analytical and statistical methods are employed in this process. A reliable analytic model using experiment-oriented FE analysis can be obtained, in which the regression equations that predict the tool efficiency from various DOE method are found. Improvement of tool efficiency could be estimated by the regression equations using meaningful factors converged by RSM(Response Surface Method). With this process a reasonable optimized solution that meets a variety of design requirements can be easily obtained.