This paper presents a method for estimating the fatigue life of crossed roller bearings (XRBs). XRBs feature a single row of rollers arranged alternately at right angles, making them ideal for applications that require high precision and a compact design. In rolling-element bearings, fatigue life is a crucial design parameter for ensuring long-term reliability and performance. However, existing fatigue life estimation models for XRBs in the literature are limited to basic rating life, with no models available for reference rating life. To address this gap, we developed a comprehensive fatigue life prediction model specifically for XRBs. We formulated a corresponding dynamic load rating to align with the values provided by bearing manufacturers and calibrated an unknown adjustment factor for XRBs using a commercial program. Additionally, a parametric study was conducted to investigate the impact of varying diametral clearance, external loads, roller dimensions, and roller profile parameters on the fatigue life of XRBs.

The demand for high-speed processing and big data has accelerated the adoption of three-dimensional integrated circuits (3D ICs), where interposers serve as essential components for chip-to-chip connectivity. However, silicon interposers using the through-silicon via (TSV) technology have structural limitations. As alternatives, glass-based interposers employing the through-glass via (TGV) technology are gaining attention. This study explored the fabrication of via holes in glass substrates using the selective laser etching (SLE) process. A spatial light modulator (SLM) was used to generate donut- shaped bessel beams by inserting an image pattern without relying on phase modulation. The machinability of via holes fabricated with these beams was compared to that of holes formed using phase-modulated beams. Effect of pulse energy on taper angle was also investigated. Hourglass-shaped holes were observed at lower pulse energies. However, taper angles approaching 90° were observed at higher energies, indicating an improved verticality.

Among the monitoring technologies in the metal-cutting process, tool wear is the most critical monitoring factor in real machining sites. Extensive studies have been conducted to monitor equipment breakdown in real-time. For example, tool wear prediction studies using cutting force signals and deducting force coefficient values from the cutting process. However, due to many limitations, those wearable monitoring technologies have not been directly adopted in the field. This paper proposes a novel tool wear predictor using the cutting force coefficient with various cutting tools, and its validity evaluates through cutting tests. Tool wear prediction from the cutting force coefficient should conduct in real-time for adoption in real machining sites. Therefore, a real-time calculation algorithm of the cutting force coefficient and a tool wear estimation method proposes, and they compare with actual tool wear in cutting experiments for validation. Validation cutting tests are conducted with carbon steel and titanium, the most commonly used materials in real cutting sites. In future work, validation will be conducted with different materials and cutting tools, considering the application in real machining sites.

Cambolt that has two slot shape in thread, have been widely used to adjust wheel alignment in Hyundai and Kia motors. These slots in thread make stress more concentrated, and lead to yield more easily. This paper describes the optimizing process of the Cambolt figure, to maximize the yield load. Contribution of the Cambolt design factors to yield load was verified, through actual test and finite element analysis. Using the DFSS (Design for Six Sigma) method, we optimized the design factors of Cambolt, and confirmed the yield load was enhanced. This new Cambolt can provide more stable wheel alignment joints, by using a higher range of preload.

This paper reports the effectiveness of the introduction of NGDG-SOFC (Natural Gas-Fueled Distributed Generation Solid Oxide Fuel Cell) as a solution to social problems that could arise in the unification era due to the power shortage in North Korea. Under the actual operating conditions of the plant, a stack that operates at a voltage of 33.87 V and current of 31.24 A was modeled with a gross output of 1.06 kW and a net output of 1.00 kW considering the balance of plant (BOP) consumption power. Considering the average primary energy consumption in the ASEAN countries in 2020, 2,870 MW was estimated as the amount of power generation required in North Korea. Also, the gross area of the plant and the annual fuel cost were estimated. Consequently, it is concluded that the area of 861 km2 which corresponds to 0.71 percent of the gross area of North Korea, and fuel cost of about 1,474 million $/year are required. The introduction of NGDG-SOFC plants is believed to follow the global trend of renewable energy and resolving the power shortage in North Korea in an eco-friendly manner.

The cutting force signal has traditionally served as a reference in conducting the monitoring studies using a variety of sensors to identify the cutting phenomena. There have been continuing studies on how to monitor the cutting force indirectly. It is because it is easier to access when considering an application to the actual machining site. This paper discusses a method of indirectly monitoring the cutting force using the feed drive current to analyze the change in the trend of the cutting force over the lapse of machining time. This enables the analysis of the cutting force by separating it in the X and Y axes of the machining plane. To increase the discrimination of the signal related to the actual cutting phenomenon from the feed drive current signal, a bandpass filter was applied based on the tooth passing frequency. The relationship between the feed drive current and the cutting force analyzed from the machining signal of actual machining conditions was applied to convert the feed drive current into the cutting force. It has been verified through experiments that the cutting load can be estimated with markedly high accuracy as a physical quantity of force from the feed motor current.

This study reports on the feasibility of applying polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) system to an energy storage system (ESS). We modeled each constituting system to compute the overall efficiency of the ESS. As a result, it was verified that the power plants’ electric powering capability can be curtailed. The amount of reduction is equal to that of 2nd Gori Nuclear Power Plant currently under construction. We calculated that approximately 320.85 L/day · MW of hydrogen is produced on a national scale. Also, Seoul’s demand output power of PEMFC and the requisite area of sites to install the PEMFC system are approximately 236 MW and 59059 m² respectively. This study can contribute to preventing the upsurge of the entire electric powering installed capability. Based on the present technology level, this study diagnoses the use of hydrogen-based ESS which will be introduced in the upcoming hydrogen economy period. Considering the water electrolysis by polymer electrolyte membrane water electrolyzers are currently at the beginning of commercialization and the energy density per mass of hydrogen is exceedingly high, we anticipate that the future of hydrogen base ESS’ effectiveness will reach greater levels than the analysis of this study.

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.

Machine tools are one of the energy-intensive equipment used in the manufacturing industry. The importance of energy has increased and the machine tools are required to be energy-efficient. The servo systems of the machine tool consume electrical power to rotate a spindle and to feed a tool during machining. Servo system consumes a lot of energy when the machine tool is operated. The energy consumption pattern of each axis needs to be investigated in order to optimize the machining process with regard to energy cost. In this paper, an energy monitoring system is developed considering various measuring points of servo system in order to grasp the energy consumption pattern of each axis.

Currently, various optical fiber tips are used to deliver laser beam for endoscopic surgery. In this paper, we demonstrated multidirectional (forward and side) firing optical fiber tip using a femtosecond micromachining and CO2 laser polishing technology. We controlled the edge width of optical fiber tip, by modulating the condition of CO₂ laser, to regulate the amount of side and forward emission. The distal end of the optical fiber with core/clad diameter of 400/ 440 μm was microstructured with cone shape by using a femtosecond laser. And then the microstructured optical fiber tip was polished by CO₂ laser beam result in smoothing and specular reflection at the surface of the cone structure. Finally, we operated the LightTools simulation and good agreement was generally found between the proposed model and experimental simulation.