This paper presents a PC-based 5-axis micro milling machine, which can be used for machining micro-sized parts, and be easily constructed a low cost. Micro cutting is a method for manufacturing three-dimensional micro parts; however, machine tools for micro machining are expensive. The micro milling machine presented in this paper is mainly composed of commercially available micro stages, and an air spindle and PC-based control board. An effective method for initializing the spindle position is proposed. Test results of the micro milling machine are presented, which include machining of micro walls, micro columns and micro blades.

No abstract

No abstract

No abstract

A biomimetic actuator is developed using four segmented solenoids mimicking earthworm locomotion. The proposed actuator not only has a simple structure composed of cores and coils, but also enables bi-directional actuation and high speed locomotion regardless of friction conditions. We have implemented theoretical analysis to design the optimal profiles of input current signal for maximum speed and predict the output force and stroke. Experiments using a prototype show that the earthworm-like actuator travels with a speed above 60 mm s −1 regardless of friction conditions.

STEP-NC has been generally written in Part 21 format, but the current paper uses a new format for STEP-NC using XML. This paper also presents a uniquely developed and built five-axis STEP-NC milling machine that is run by STEP-NC in XML. The intelligent controller of this five-axis STEP-NC milling machine executes machining automatically. The interpreter for STEP-NC in XML is newly designed and developed to have a user-friendly interface. All software of the STEP-NC interpreter and the controller was programmed with Visual Cþþ, and tested in OS of Windows 98, NT and 2000. Since this hardware has a PC-based open architecture, the developed STEP-NC milling machine can easily be expanded and modified. It is also possible to implement this developed STEP-NC system directly to commercial machine tools. The entire system was tested with two XML files of 2.5D and 3D geometries. These two files were written with an XML editor from the developed interpreter. Both test files were machined automatically by the STEP-NC controller without using G-code.

No abstract

No abstract