High Performance Machining

HIGH PERFORMANCE MACHINING

The main objectives of the High-Performance Machining research group of Mondragon Unibertsitatea are to improve machining production processes in different industrial sectors (automotive, aeronautics, medicine, machine tools, moulds and stamps, etc.) and to generate ideas for manufacture of innovative products or to enter new businesses and markets.

The general strategy followed is to create, alongside other Mondragon Unibertsitatea research lines, multidisciplinary teams composed of companies, research centres and universities, in order to provide an advanced scientific response to real industrial problems.

Carrying out transfer projects to companies, alongside the regulated training in different degrees (Doctorate, Engineering, and Higher-Level Training Cycles) and the delivery of advanced courses (Machining Specialisation Congresses) or conferences (12th CIRP Conference on Modelling Machining Operations) are examples of how the acquired knowledge reverts in society, helping to ensure a more promising future for the machining sector.

RESEARCH TOPICS

High Speed Cutting

High speed cutting is used in sectors as diverse as aerospace or moulds and dies. Currently, research is carried out in the optimization of the high speed cutting of (I) free form surfaces of hardened steels for its application in the production of moulds and dies and in (II) titanium machining for its application in the aeronautic sector.

Micromachining

Miniaturization is nowadays a global trend which affects a manufacturing process in several production markets as TICs, electronics or biomedicines. This size reduction implies some process changes, making it more difficult and less reliable.

A micromachining laboratory has recently been set up in order to improve knowledge of micromachining, hence its performance.

Grinding

Grinding is a finishing process used to obtain parts with a good surface finish and close geometric and dimensional tolerances, which can be badly affected by the presence of chatter and other instabilities. In recent years, new simulation techniques have been developed to determine instability-free configurations, making it possible to guarantee that the final workpiece profile  is round. With this information and taking into account other process restrictions, like system static stiffness and workpiece tolerance, the optimal grinding cycle can be designed.

Chip formation Study and modelling

The knowledge of the influence that cutting parameters have on different thermomechanical variables (temperature, stresses, strains, etc.) during the chip forming process, is the basis for optimising any machining operation. The combination of experimental tests together with analytical and numerical modelling (Finite Element Modelling-FEM) allows better understanding of the material removal process, facilitating the selection of cutting conditions, tool geometries or even the development of new cutting tool and workpiece materials.

Machinability

Machinability refers to the ease with which a part or material can be machined. The factors that typically improve a material's performance often degrade its machinability. Therefore,  it is very important to find ways to improve machinability without harming performance.

Nowadays we are working on the study of this property with the most advanced experimental techniques in different materials: steels, titanium alloys… The aim of this study is to find the reason that justifies the behaviour of the material during the machining process.

Knowledge Base Engineering (KBE)

The objectives of KBE or CAX software customization are: firstly, to increase the productivity of CAX software users; secondly, to capture and keep the Product Life Cycle Knowledge as a company asset; and finally / thirdly, to speed up the integration of new employees by giving them access to company’s Product Life Cycle Knowledge as required in a reusable format.

HIGHLIGHTED PROJECTS

 

Offers of employment and doctorate

Discover the job and thesis offers at Mondragon Unibertsitatea, we can have a position of interest for you.