697 電風(fēng)扇旋鈕注塑模設(shè)計【全套12張CAD圖+文獻翻譯+說明書】,全套12張CAD圖+文獻翻譯+說明書,697,電風(fēng)扇旋鈕注塑模設(shè)計【全套12張CAD圖+文獻翻譯+說明書】,電風(fēng)扇,旋鈕,注塑,設(shè)計,全套,12,十二,cad,文獻,翻譯,說明書,仿單 開題報告 題　目 電風(fēng)扇旋鈕注塑模設(shè)計 學(xué)生姓名 楊 班級學(xué)號 專業(yè) 一、選題的背景及意義： 模具制造是制造業(yè)的根基，在輕工、電子、機械、通訊、交通汽車、軍事等部門中，60%-80%的零件都是依靠模具成型，模具質(zhì)量的高低決定著產(chǎn)品質(zhì)量的高低，因此，模具被稱為“百業(yè)之母”。塑料模具占模具總量的40%左右。近年來，我國塑料模具制造水平已有較大提高。大型塑料模具已能生產(chǎn)單套重量達到50t以上的注塑模，精密塑料模具的精度已達到2um，制造精度很高的小模數(shù)齒輪模具及達到高光學(xué)要求的車燈模具等也已經(jīng)能生產(chǎn)，多腔塑料模具已能生產(chǎn)一模7800腔的塑封模；高速模具方面已能生產(chǎn)擠出速度高達6m/min以上的塑料異性材料擠出模具及主型材雙腔共擠、雙色共擠、軟硬共擠、后共擠、再生料共擠出和低發(fā)泡鋼塑共擠等各種模具。 注塑模具作為塑料模具中的一個非常大的部分，研究其設(shè)計、制造過程是非常有實際的工程應(yīng)用價值。一般家電產(chǎn)品中的注塑模具的應(yīng)用非常多。旋鈕在很多家電、工廠機床上是非常常見的。所以對其研究必然有著其實際意義： （1） 電風(fēng)扇旋鈕是風(fēng)扇上控制系統(tǒng)的調(diào)節(jié)按鈕，在生活中應(yīng)用得非常廣泛。 （2） 旋鈕的結(jié)構(gòu)相對比較簡單。該塑件為一類似圓筒件的零件。其結(jié)構(gòu)是非常典型的，在日常生活中我們使用的各類開關(guān)等控制元件都有這種類似的機構(gòu)，因此研究是非常有必要的。 （3） 選用材料的典型性。所選材料為熱塑性塑料（ABS）。ABS材料具有超強的易加工性，外觀特性，低蠕變性和優(yōu)異的尺寸穩(wěn)定性以及很高的抗沖擊強度。適用于作各種電器設(shè)備外殼、汽車儀表盤、日用品和工業(yè)零、部件等。 二、研究的基本內(nèi)容與擬解決的主要問題： 旋鈕注塑模具設(shè)計的關(guān)鍵內(nèi)容包括：旋鈕的工藝性分析，模具結(jié)構(gòu)的設(shè)計，非標準件的制造工藝規(guī)劃。 首先塑件的工藝性分析，主要內(nèi)容包括： （1） 通過查閱各種注塑模具設(shè)計手冊及各類相關(guān)文章和書籍，對復(fù)位按鈕的選用材料的性能進行分析，并對塑件的結(jié)構(gòu)進行分析。 （2） 注塑設(shè)備選擇，確定塑件的型腔數(shù)，并計算塑件的投影面積，通過注射量的校核、注射力的校核、鎖模力的校核、安裝部分的尺寸校核、開模行程的校核、頂出裝置的校核，集合注塑設(shè)備的資料確定注塑設(shè)備的型號。 （3） 確定收縮率與分型面，通過查閱手冊確定材料的收縮率，并確定具體的分型面。 其次模具結(jié)構(gòu)的設(shè)計，內(nèi)容包括： （1） 標準模架的選擇 （2） 澆注系統(tǒng)的設(shè)計，澆注系統(tǒng)四部分（主流道、分流道、澆口、冷料穴）的設(shè)計及尺寸計算。 （3） 成型件的設(shè)計，對凹模與凸模的機構(gòu)設(shè)計及工作尺寸的計算。 （4） 抽芯機構(gòu)的設(shè)計，選擇合適的側(cè)抽芯機構(gòu)。 （5） 頂出結(jié)構(gòu)的設(shè)計，頂出部分位置的選擇，尺寸計算。 （6） 冷卻系統(tǒng)的設(shè)計，通過塑件的質(zhì)量，生產(chǎn)條件設(shè)計及凹凸模的冷卻回路設(shè)計 （7） 完成所有零件的總裝圖，包括二維與三維設(shè)計圖紙 最后非標準件的制造工藝規(guī)劃，內(nèi)容包括： 結(jié)合現(xiàn)代加工方法，利用數(shù)控CNC，電火花，線切割等方法，制定出最合理的制造工藝，最符合經(jīng)濟效益的加工方案。完成非標準件零件圖及工藝規(guī)劃。 在設(shè)計過程中，主要是結(jié)構(gòu)設(shè)計時可能存在一系列的問題，及涉及的內(nèi)容也非常多，主要可能有以下問題： （1） 非標準件的加工問題，標準間一半都可以從市場上購買，但非標準件（包括在標準間上加工）的加工內(nèi)容可能比較多，而且加工非常困難。 （2） 側(cè)抽芯機構(gòu)的設(shè)計，側(cè)抽芯結(jié)構(gòu)設(shè)計時，為了使設(shè)計滿足要求，設(shè)計時必然存在一些問題，像抽芯機構(gòu)如何安裝 （3） 冷卻系統(tǒng)，冷卻系統(tǒng)如何合理的布置，而且加工業(yè)相對比校困難。 三、研究的總體安排與進度： 10/11學(xué)年第一學(xué)期 第10周 選題 第11周 下發(fā)畢業(yè)設(shè)計任務(wù)書 第12-13周 文獻綜述撰寫 第14周 外文翻譯 寒假 第1周 編制模具工藝規(guī)程 第2-3周 繪制模具總裝圖 第4周 繪制非標準件模具零件圖 10/11學(xué)年第二學(xué)期 第1-2周 繪制標準零件加工圖 第3周 編制非標準模具零件加工工藝規(guī)程 第7-8周 編寫設(shè)計說明說 四、參考文獻? １、《冷沖壓工藝及模具設(shè)計》 劉心治主編重慶大學(xué)出版社 ２、《沖壓工藝及模具設(shè)計》萬戰(zhàn)勝主編 鐵道出版社 ３、《沖模設(shè)計》 吉林人民出版社 ４、《實用沖壓技術(shù)》 機工出版社 ５、《冷沖壓及塑料成型工藝與模具設(shè)計資料》 機工出版社 ６、《模具設(shè)計與制造簡明手冊》 馮炳堯等編 上海出版社 7、《沖壓工藝模具設(shè)計實用技術(shù)》　鄭家賢編　機械工業(yè)出版社 8、《實用板金沖壓工藝圖集》　梁炳文主編　機械工業(yè)出版社 指導(dǎo)教師批閱意見 該生對設(shè)計任務(wù)有清楚的認識，很好的結(jié)合實際，對題目的設(shè)計有很多獨特的創(chuàng)新之處。不光對模具行業(yè)的背景有了充分的認識，而且對模具的設(shè)計有鮮明的認識。模具設(shè)計的步驟合理。雖然中間有些小問題，但是總體上都符合規(guī)定和要求。 指導(dǎo)教師(簽名)： 年 月 日 注：可另附A4紙 基于注塑模具鋼研磨和拋光工序的自動化表面處理 摘要 本文研究了注塑模具鋼自動研磨與球面拋光加工工序的可能性，這種注塑模具鋼PDS5的塑性曲面是在數(shù)控加工中心完成的。這項研究已經(jīng)完成了磨削刀架的設(shè)計與制造。 最佳表面研磨參數(shù)是在鋼鐵PDS5 的加工中心測定的。對于PDS5注塑模具鋼的最佳球面研磨參數(shù)是以下一系列的組合：研磨材料的磨料為粉紅氧化鋁，進給量500毫米/分鐘，磨削深度20微米，磨削轉(zhuǎn)速為18000RPM。用優(yōu)化的參數(shù)進行表面研磨，表面粗糙度Ra值可由大約1.60微米改善至0.35微米。 用球拋光工藝和參數(shù)優(yōu)化拋光，可以進一步改善表面粗糙度Ra值從0.343微米至0.06微米左右。在模具內(nèi)部曲面的測試部分，用最佳參數(shù)的表面研磨、拋光，曲面表面粗糙度就可以提高約2.15微米到0 0.07微米。 關(guān)鍵詞: 自動化表面處理 拋光 磨削加工 表面粗糙度 田口方法 一、引言 塑膠工程材料由于其重要特點,如耐化學(xué)腐蝕性、低密度、易于制造,并已日漸取代金屬部件在工業(yè)中廣泛應(yīng)用。 注塑成型對于塑料制品是一個重要工藝。注塑模具的表面質(zhì)量是設(shè)計的本質(zhì)要求,因為它直接影響了塑膠產(chǎn)品的外觀和性能。 加工工藝如球面研磨、拋光常用于改善表面光潔度。 研磨工具(輪子)的安裝已廣泛用于傳統(tǒng)模具的制造產(chǎn)業(yè)。自動化表面研磨加工工具的幾何模型將介紹。自動化表面處理的球磨研磨工具將得到示范和開發(fā)。 磨削速度, 磨削深度，進給速率和砂輪尺寸、研磨材料特性（如磨料粒度大?。┦乔蛐窝心スに囍兄饕膮?shù)，如圖1（球面研磨過程示意圖）所示。注塑模具鋼的球面研磨最優(yōu)化參數(shù)目前尚未在文獻得到確切的依據(jù)。 步距 研磨高度 球磨研磨 進給速度 工作臺 圖1 球面研磨過程示意圖 進給 研磨球 工作臺 研磨深度 研磨表面 近年來 ，已經(jīng)進行了一些研究，確定了球面拋光工藝的最優(yōu)參數(shù)(圖2) （球面拋光過程示意圖）。 比如，人們發(fā)現(xiàn), 用碳化鎢球滾壓的方法可以使工件表面的塑性變形減少,從而改善表面粗糙度、表面硬度、抗疲勞強度。 拋光的工藝的過程是由加工中心和車床共同完成的。對表面粗糙度有重大影響的拋光工藝主要參數(shù)，主要是球或滾子材料，拋光力， 進給速率,拋光速度,潤滑、拋光率及其他因素等。注塑模具鋼PDS5的表面拋光的參數(shù)優(yōu)化，分別結(jié)合了油脂潤滑劑，碳化鎢球,拋光速度200毫米/分鐘,拋光力300牛，40微米的進給量。采用最佳參數(shù)進行表面研磨和球面拋光的深度為2.5微米。 通過拋光工藝，表面粗糙度可以改善大致為40％至90％。 圖2 球面拋光過程示意圖 此項目研究的目的是，發(fā)展注塑模具鋼的球形研磨和球面拋光工序，這種注塑模具鋼的曲面實在加工中心完成的。表面光潔度的球研磨與球拋光的自動化流程工序，如圖3所示。 我們開始自行設(shè)計和制造的球面研磨工具及加工中心的對刀裝置。利用田口正交法，確定了表面球研磨最佳參數(shù)。選擇為田口L18型矩陣實驗相應(yīng)的四個因素和三個層次。 用最佳參數(shù)進行表面球研磨則適用于一個曲面表面光潔度要求較高的注塑模具。 為了改善表面粗糙, 利用最佳球面拋光工藝參數(shù)，再進行對表層打磨。 PDS試樣的設(shè)計與制造 選擇最佳矩陣實驗因子 確定最佳參數(shù) 實施實驗 分析并確定最佳因子 進行表面拋光 應(yīng)用最佳參數(shù)加工曲面 測量試樣的表面粗糙度 球研磨和拋光裝置的設(shè)計與制造 圖3自動球面研磨與拋光工序的流程圖 二、球研磨的設(shè)計和對準裝置 實施過程中可能出現(xiàn)的曲面的球研磨,研磨球的中心應(yīng)和加工中心的Z軸相一致。 球面研磨工具的安裝及調(diào)整裝置的設(shè)計，如圖4（球面研磨工具及其調(diào)整裝置）所示。電動磨床展開了兩個具有可調(diào)支撐螺絲的刀架。磨床中心正好與具有輔助作用的圓錐槽線配合。 擁有磨床的球接軌,當兩個可調(diào)支撐螺絲被收緊時，其后的對準部件就可以拆除。研磨球中心坐標偏差約為5微米, 這是衡量一個數(shù)控坐標測量機性能的重要標準。 機床的機械振動力是被螺旋彈簧所吸收。球形研磨球和拋光工具的安裝，如圖5（a. 球面研磨工具的圖片. b.球拋光工具的圖片）所示。為使球面磨削加工和拋光加工的進行，主軸通過球鎖機制而被鎖定。 模柄 彈簧 工具可調(diào)支撐 緊固螺釘 磨球 自動研磨 磨球組件 圖4 球面研磨工具及其調(diào)整裝置 圖5 a. 球面研磨工具的圖片. b.球拋光工具的圖片 三、矩陣實驗的規(guī)劃 3.1田口正交表 利用矩陣實驗田口正交法，可以確定參數(shù)的有影響程度。 為了配合上述球面研磨參數(shù)，該材料磨料的研磨球(直徑10毫米),進給速率，研磨深度,在次研究中電氣磨床被假定為四個因素，指定為從A到D（見表1實驗因素和水平）。三個層次的因素涵蓋了不同的范圍特征,并用了數(shù)字1、2、3標明。挑選三類磨料,即碳化硅,白色氧化鋁,粉紅氧化鋁來研究. 這三個數(shù)值的大小取決于每個因素實驗結(jié)果。選定L18型正交矩陣進行實驗，進而研究四——三級因素的球形研磨過程。 表1實驗因素和水平 因素 水平 1 2 3 A. 碳化硅 白色氧化鋁 粉紅氧化鋁 B. 50 100 200 C.研磨深度（μm） 20 50 80 D. 12000 18000 24000 3.2數(shù)據(jù)分析的界定 工程設(shè)計問題,可以分為較小而好的類型,象征性最好類型,大而好類型，目標取向類型等。 信噪比(S/N)的比值，常作為目標函數(shù)來優(yōu)化產(chǎn)品或者工藝設(shè)計。 被加工面的表面粗糙度值經(jīng)過適當?shù)亟M合磨削參數(shù)，應(yīng)小于原來的未加工表面。 因此,球面研磨過程屬于工程問題中的小而好類型。這里的信噪比（S/N）,η,按下列公式定義: η =?10 log 平方等于質(zhì)量特性 =?10 log （1） 這里， y——不同噪聲條件下所觀察的質(zhì)量特性 n——實驗次數(shù) 從每個L18型正交實驗得到的信噪比（S/N）數(shù)據(jù)，經(jīng)計算后，運用差異分析技術(shù)(變異)和殲比檢驗來測定每一個主要的因素。 優(yōu)化小而好類型的工程問題問題更是盡量使η最大而定。各級η選擇的最大化將對最終的η因素有重大影響。 最優(yōu)條件可視研磨球而待定。 四、實驗工作和結(jié)果 這項研究使用的材料是PDS5工具鋼(相當于艾西塑膠模具)， 它常用于大型注塑模具產(chǎn)品在國內(nèi)汽車零件領(lǐng)域和國內(nèi)設(shè)備。 該材料的硬度約HRC33(HS46)。 具體好處之一是, 由于其特殊的熱處理前處理，模具可直接用于未經(jīng)進一步加工工序而對這一材料進行加工。式樣的設(shè)計和制造,應(yīng)使它們可以安裝在底盤，來測量相應(yīng)的反力。 PDS5試樣的加工完畢后，裝在大底盤上在三坐標加工中心進行了銑削，這種加工中心是由鋼鐵公司所生產(chǎn)(中壓型三號),配備了FANUC-18M公司的數(shù)控控制器(0.99型)。用hommelwerket4000設(shè)備來測量前機加工前表面的粗糙度,使其可達到1.6微米。 圖6試驗顯示了球面磨削加工工藝的設(shè)置。 一個由Renishaw公司生產(chǎn)的視頻觸摸觸發(fā)探頭，安裝在加工中心上，來測量和確定和原始式樣的協(xié)調(diào)。 數(shù)控代碼所需要的磨球路徑由PowerMILL軟件產(chǎn)。這些代碼經(jīng)過RS232串口界面，可以傳送到裝有控制器的數(shù)控加工中心上。 加工中心 數(shù)控機床 電腦 圖6 完成了L18型矩陣實驗后，表2 （PDS5試樣光滑表層的粗糙度）總結(jié)了光滑表面的粗糙度RA值，計算了每一個L18型矩陣實驗的信噪比（S/N）,從而用于方程（1）。通過表2提供的各個數(shù)值，可以得到四種不同程度因素的平均信噪比（S/N），在圖7中已用圖表顯示。 表2 PDS5試樣光滑表層的粗糙度 實驗 序號 A B C D S/N(η(dB)) Mean 1 1 1 1 1 0.35 0.35 0.35 9.119 0.350 2 1 2 2 2 0.37 0.36 0.38 8.634 0.370 3 1 3 3 3 0.41 0.44 0.40 7.597 0.417 4 2 1 2 3 0.63 0.65 0.64 3.876 0.640 5 2 2 3 1 0.73 0.77 0.78 2.380 0.760 6 2 3 1 2 0.45 0.42 0.39 7.530 0.420 7 3 1 3 2 0.34 0.31 0.32 9.801 0.323 8 3 2 1 3 0.27 0.25 0.28 11.471 0.267 9 3 3 2 1 0.32 0.32 0.32 9.897 0.320 10 1 1 2 2 0.35 0.39 0.40 8.390 0.380 11 1 2 3 3 0.41 0.50 0.43 6.968 0.447 12 1 3 1 1 0.40 0.39 0.42 7.883 0.403 13 2 1 1 3 0.33 0.34 0.31 9.712 0.327 14 2 2 2 1 0.48 0.50 0.47 6.312 0.483 15 2 3 3 2 0.57 0.61 0.53 4.868 0.570 16 3 1 3 1 0.59 0.55 0.54 5.030 0.560 17 3 2 1 2 0.36 0.36 0.35 8.954 0.357 18 3 3 2 3 0.57 0.53 0.53 5.293 0.543 控制因素 信噪比 圖7 控制影響因素 球面研磨工藝的目標，就是通過確定每一種因子的最佳優(yōu)化程度值，來使試樣光滑表層的表面粗糙度值達到最小。因為? log是一個減函數(shù)，我們應(yīng)當使信噪比（S/N）達到最大。因此，我們能夠確定每一種因子的最優(yōu)程度使得η的值達到最大。因此基于這個點陣式實驗的最優(yōu)轉(zhuǎn)速應(yīng)該是18000RPM，如表3（優(yōu)化組合球面研磨參數(shù)）所示。 表3 優(yōu)化組合球面研磨參數(shù) 因素 水平 白色氧化鋁 50mm/min 20μm 18000rpm 從田口矩陣實驗獲得的球面研磨優(yōu)化參數(shù)，適用于曲面光滑的模具，從而改善表面的粗糙度。選擇香水瓶為一個測試載體。對于被測物體的模具數(shù)控加工中心，由PowerMILL軟件來模擬測試。經(jīng)過精銑，通過使用從田口矩陣實驗獲得的球面研磨優(yōu)化參數(shù)，模具表面進一步光滑。緊接著,使用打磨拋光的最佳參數(shù)，來對光滑曲面進行拋光工藝，進一步改善了被測物體的表面粗糙度。(見圖 9)。模具內(nèi)部的表面粗糙度用hommelwerket4000設(shè)備來測量。模具內(nèi)部的表面粗糙度RA的平均值為2.15微米，光滑表面粗糙度RA的平均值為0.45微米，拋光表面粗糙度RA的平均值為0.07微米。被測物體的光滑表面的粗糙度改善了：(2.15-0.45)/2.15=79.1％，拋光表面的粗糙度改善了：(2.15-0.07)/2.15=96.7％。 拋光表面 Ra=0.07μm 內(nèi)部表面 Ra=2.15μm 光滑表面 Ra=0.45μm 圖8 被測物體表面粗糙度 五、結(jié)論 在這項工作中,對注塑模具的曲面進行了自動球面研磨與球面拋光加工，并將其工藝最佳參數(shù)成功地運用到加工中心上。 設(shè)計和制造了球面研磨裝置(及其對準組件)。通過實施田口L18型矩陣進行實驗，確定了球面研磨的最佳參數(shù)。對于PDS5注塑模具鋼的最佳球面研磨參數(shù)是以下一系列的組合：材料的磨料為粉紅氧化鋁，進給量料500毫米/分鐘，磨削深度20微米，轉(zhuǎn)速為18000RPM。通過使用最佳球面研磨參數(shù)，試樣的表面粗糙度Ra值從約1.6微米提高到0.35微米。應(yīng)用最優(yōu)化表面磨削參數(shù)和最佳拋光參數(shù)，來加工模具的內(nèi)部光滑曲面，可使模具內(nèi)部的光滑表面改善79.1％，拋光表面改善96.7％。 鳴謝 作者感謝中國國家科學(xué)理事會對本次研究的支持, NSC 89-2212-E-011-059。 Automated surface finishing of plastic injection mold steel with spherical grinding and ball burnishing processes Abstract This study investigates the possibilities of automated spherical grinding and ball burnishing surface finishing processes in a freeform surface plastic injection mold steel PDS5 on a CNC machining center. The design and manufacture of a grinding tool holder has been accomplished in this study. The optimal surface grinding parameters were determined using Taguchi’s orthogonal array method for plastic injection molding steel PDS5 on a machining center. The optimal surface grinding parameters for the plastic injection mold steel PDS5 were the combination of an abrasive material of PA Al2O3, a grinding speed of 18 000 rpm, a grinding depth of 20 μm, and a feed of 50 mm/min. The surface roughness Ra of the specimen can be improved from about 1.60 μm to 0.35 μm by using the optimal parameters for surface grinding. Surface roughness Ra can be further improved from about 0.343 μm to 0.06 μm by using the ball burnishing process with the optimal burnishing parameters. Applying the optimal surface grinding and burnishing parameters sequentially to a fine-milled freeform surface mold insert, the surface roughness Ra of freeform surface region on the tested part can be improved from about 2.15 μm to 0.07 μm. Keywords Automated surface finishing · Ball burnishing process · Grinding process · Surface roughness · Taguchi’s method 1 Introduction Plastics are important engineering materials due to their specific characteristics, such as corrosion resistance, resistance to chemicals, low density, and ease of manufacture, and have increasingly replaced metallic components in industrial applications. Injection molding is one of the important forming processes for plastic products. The surface finish quality of the plastic injection mold is an essential requirement due to its direct effects on the appearance of the plastic product. Finishing processes such as grinding, polishing and lapping are commonly used to improve the surface finish. The mounted grinding tools (wheels) have been widely used in conventional mold and die finishing industries. The geometric model of mounted grinding tools for automated surface finishing processes was introduced in. A finishing process mode of spherical grinding tools for automated surface finishing systems was developed in. Grinding speed, depth of cut, feed rate, and wheel properties such as abrasive material and abrasive grain size, are the dominant parameters for the spherical grinding process, as shown in Fig. 1. The optimal spherical grinding parameters for the injection mold steel have not yet been investigated based in the literature. Fig.1. Schematic diagram of the spherical grinding process In recent years, some research has been carried out in determining the optimal parameters of the ball burnishing process (Fig. 2). For instance, it has been found that plastic deformation on the workpiece surface can be reduced by using a tungsten carbide ball or a roller, thus improving the surface roughness, surface hardness, and fatigue resistance. The burnishing process is accomplished by machining centers and lathes. The main burnishing parameters having significant effects on the surface roughness are ball or roller material, burnishing force, feed rate, burnishing speed, lubrication, and number of burnishing passes, among others. The optimal surface burnishing parameters for the plastic injection mold steel PDS5 were a combination of grease lubricant, the tungsten carbide ball, a burnishing speed of 200 mm/min, a burnishing force of 300 N, and a feed of 40 μm. The depth of penetration of the burnished surface using the optimal ball burnishing parameters was about 2.5 microns. The improvement of the surface roughness through burnishing process generally ranged between 40% and 90%. Fig. 2. Schematic diagram of the ball-burnishing process The aim of this study was to develop spherical grinding and ball burnishing surface finish processes of a freeform surface plastic injection mold on a machining center. The flowchart of automated surface finish using spherical grinding and ball burnishing processes is shown in Fig. 3. We began by designing and manufacturing the spherical grinding tool and its alignment device for use on a machining center. The optimal surface spherical grinding parameters were determined by utilizing a Taguchi’s orthogonal array method. Four factors and three corresponding levels were then chosen for the Taguchi’s L18 matrix experiment. The optimal mounted spherical grinding parameters for surface grinding were then applied to the surface finish of a freeform surface carrier. To improve the surface roughness, the ground surface was further burnished, using the optimal ball burnishing parameters. Fig. 3. Flow chart of automated surface finish using spherical grinding and ball burnishing processes 2 Design of the spherical grinding tool and its alignment device To carry out the possible spherical grinding process of a freeform surface, the center of the ball grinder should coincide with the z-axis of the machining center. The mounted spherical grinding tool and its adjustment device was designed, as shown in Fig. 4. The electric grinder was mounted in a tool holder with two adjustable pivot screws. The center of the grinder ball was well aligned with the help of the conic groove of the alignment components. Having aligned the grinder ball, two adjustable pivot screws were tightened; after which, the alignment components could be removed. The deviation between the center coordinates of the ball grinder and that of the shank was about 5 μm, which was measured by a CNC coordinate measuring machine. The force induced by the vibration of the machine bed is absorbed by a helical spring. The manufactured spherical grinding tool and ball-burnishing tool were mounted, as shown in Fig. 5. The spindle was locked for both the spherical grinding process and the ball burnishing process by a spindle-locking mechanism. Fig.4. Schematic illustration of the spherical grinding tool and its adjustment device Fig.5. (a) Photo of the spherical grinding tool (b) Photo of the ball burnishing tool 3 Planning of the matrix experiment 3.1 Configuration of Taguchi’s orthogonal array The effects of several parameters can be determined efficiently by conducting matrix experiments using Taguchi’s orthogonal array. To match the aforementioned spherical grinding parameters, the abrasive material of the grinder ball (with the diameter of 10 mm), the feed rate, the depth of grinding, and the revolution of the electric grinder were selected as the four experimental factors (parameters) and designated as factor A to D (see Table 1) in this research. Three levels (settings) for each factor were configured to cover the range of interest, and were identified by the digits 1, 2, and 3. Three types of abrasive materials, namely silicon carbide (SiC), white aluminum oxide (Al2O3, WA), and pink aluminum oxide (Al2O3, PA), were selected and studied. Three numerical values of each factor were determined based on the pre-study results. The L18 orthogonal array was selected to conduct the matrix experiment for four 3-level factors of the spherical grinding process. Table1. The experimental factors and their levels 3.2 Definition of the data analysis Engineering design problems can be divided into smaller-the better types, nominal-the-best types, larger-the-better types, signed-target types, among others [8]. The signal-to-noise (S/N) ratio is used as the objective function for optimizing a product or process design. The surface roughness value of the ground surface via an adequate combination of grinding parameters should be smaller than that of the original surface. Consequently, the spherical grinding process is an example of a smaller-the-better type problem. The S/N ratio, η, is defined by the following equation: η =?10 log10(mean square quality characteristic) =?10 log10 where: yi : observations of the quality characteristic under different noise conditions n: number of experiment After the S/N ratio from the experimental data of each L18 orthogonal array is calculated, the main effect of each factor was determined by using an analysis of variance (ANOVA) technique and an F-ratio test. The optimization strategy of the smaller-the better problem is to maximize η, as defined by Eq. 1. Levels that maximize η will be selected for the factors that have a significant effect on η. The optimal conditions for spherical grinding can then be determined. 4 Experimental work and results The material used in this study was PDS5 tool steel (equivalent to AISI P20), which is commonly used for the molds of large plastic injection products in the field of automobile components and domestic appliances. The hardness of this material is about HRC33 (HS46). One specific advantage of this material is that after machining, the mold can be directly used for further finishing processes without heat treatment due to its special pre-treatment. The specimens were designed and manufactured so that they could be mounted on a dynamometer to measure the reaction force. The PDS5 specimen was roughly machined and then mounted on the dynamometer to carry out the fine milling on a three-axis machining center made by Yang-Iron Company (type MV-3A), equipped with a FUNUC Company NC-controller (type 0M). The pre-machined surface roughness was measured, using Hommelwerke T4000 equipment, to be about 1.6 μm. Figure 6 shows the experimental set-up of the spherical grinding process. A MP10 touch-trigger probe made by the Renishaw Company was also integrated with the machining center tool magazine to measure and determine the coordinated origin of the specimen to be ground. The NC codes needed for the ball-burnishing path were generated by PowerMILL CAM software. These codes can be transmitted to the CNC controller of the machining center via RS232 serial interface. Fig.6. Experimental set-up to determine the optimal spherical grinding parameters Table 2 summarizes the measured ground surface roughness alue Ra and the calculated S/N ratio of each L18 orthogonal array sing Eq. 1, after having executed the 18 matrix experiments. The average S/N ratio for each level of the four actors is shown graphically in Fig. 7. Table2. Ground surface roughness of PDS5 specimen Exp. Inner array (control factors) Measured surface roughness value (Ra) Response no A B C D S/N(η(dB)) Mean 1 1 1 1 1 0.35 0.35 0.35 9.119 0.350 2 1 2 2 2 0.37 0.36 0.38 8.634 0.370 3 1 3 3 3 0.41 0.44 0.40 7.597 0.417 4 2 1 2 3 0.63 0.65 0.64 3.876 0.640 5 2 2 3 1 0.73 0.77 0.78 2.380 0.760 6 2 3 1 2 0.45 0.42 0.39 7.530 0.420 7 3 1 3 2 0.34 0.31 0.32 9.801 0.323 8 3 2 1 3 0.27 0.25 0.28 11.471 0.267 9 3 3 2 1 0.32 0.32 0.32 9.897 0.320 10 1 1 2 2 0.35 0.39 0.40 8.390 0.380 11 1 2 3 3 0.41 0.50 0.43 6.968 0.447 12 1 3 1 1 0.40 0.39 0.42 7.883 0.403 13 2 1 1 3 0.33 0.34 0.31 9.712 0.327 14 2 2 2 1 0.48 0.50 0.47 6.312 0.483 15 2 3 3 2 0.57 0.61 0.53 4.868 0.570 16 3 1 3 1 0.59 0.55 0.54 5.030 0.560 17 3 2 1 2 0.36 0.36 0.35 8.954 0.357 18 3 3 2 3 0.57 0.53 0.53 5.293 0.543 Fig.7. Plots of control factor effects The goal in the spherical grinding process is to minimize the surface roughness value of the ground specimen by determining the optimal level of each factor. Since ?log is a monotone decreasing function, we should maximize the S/N ratio. Consequently, we can determine the optimal level for each factor as being the level that has the highest value of η. Therefore, based on the matrix experiment, the optimal abrasive material was pink aluminum oxide; the optimal feed was 50 mm/min; the optimal depth of grinding was 20 μm; and the optimal revolution was 18 000 rpm, as shown in Table 3. The optimal parameters for surface spherical grinding obtained from the Taguchi’s matrix experiments were applied to the surface finish of the freeform surface mold insert to evaluate the surface roughness improvement. A perfume bottle was selected as the tested carrier. The CNC machining of the mold insert for the tested object was simulated with Power MILL CAM software. After fine milling, the mold insert was further ground with the optimal spherical grinding parameters obtained from the Taguchi’s matrix experiment. Shortly afterwards, the ground surface was burnished with the optimal ball burnishing parameters to further improve the surface roughness of the tested object (see Fig. 8). The surface roughness of the mold insert was measured with Hommelwerke T4000 equipment. The average surface roughness value Ra on a fine-milled surface of the mold insert was 2.15 μm on average; that on the ground surface was 0.45 μm on average; and that on burnished surface was 0.07 μm on average. The surface roughness improvement of the tested object on ground surface was about (2.15?0.45)/2.15 = 79.1%, and that on the burnished surface was about (2.15?0.07)/2.15 = 96.7%. Fig.8. Fine-milled, ground and burnished mold insert of a perfume bottle 5 Conclusion In this work, the optimal parameters of automated spherical grinding and ball-burnishing surface finishing processes in a freeform surface plastic injection mold were developed successfully on a machining center. The mounted spherical grinding tool (and its alignment components) was designed and manufactured. The optimal spherical grinding parameters for surface grinding were determined by conducting a Taguchi L18 matrix experiments. The optimal spherical grinding parameters for the plastic injection mold steel PDS5 were the combination of the abrasive material of pink aluminum oxide (Al2O3, PA), a feed of 50 mm/min, a depth of grinding 20 μm, and a revolution of 18 000 rpm. The surface roughness Ra of the specimen can be improved from about 1.6 μm to 0.35 μm by using the optimal spherical grinding conditions for surface grinding. By applying the optimal surface grinding and burnishing parameters to the surface finish of the freeform surface mold insert, the surface roughness improvements were measured to be ground surface was about 79.1% in terms of ground surfaces, and about 96.7% in terms of burnished surfaces. Acknowledgement The authors are grateful to the National Science Council of the Republic of China for supporting this research with grant NSC 89-2212-E-011-059.