30-11-2012, 03:07 PM
Introduction of Unconventional Manufacturing Process
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INTRODUCTION
Since beginning of the human race, people have evolved tools and energy sources to
power these tools to meet the requirements for making the life more easier and enjoyable.
In the early stage of mankind, tools were made of stone for the item being made.
When iron tools were invented, desirable metals and more sophisticated articles could be
produced. In twentieth century products were made from the most durable and
consequently, the most unmachinable materials. In an effort to meet the manufacturing
challenges created by these materials, tools have now evolved to include materials such
as alloy steel, carbide, diamond and ceramics.
A similar evolution has taken place with the methods used to power our tools. Initially,
tools were powered by muscles; either human or animal. However as the powers of water,
wind, steam and electricity were harnessed, mankind was able to further extend
manufacturing capabilities with new machines, greater accuracy and faster machining rates.
CLASSIFICATION OF UNCONVENTIONAL MANUFACTURING PROCESSES
The non-conventional manufacturing processes are not affected by hardness, toughness or
brittleness of material and can produce any intricate shape on any workpiece material by
suitable control over the various physical parameters of the processes.
The non-conventional manufacturing processes may be classified on the basis of type
of energy namely, mechanical, electrical, chemical, thermal or magnetic, apply to the
workpiece directly and have the desired shape transformation or material removal from
the work surface by using different scientific mechanism.
COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF UNCONVENTIONAL MANUFACTURING
PROCESSES
A comparative analysis of the various unconventional manufacturing processes should be
made so that a guide-line may be drawn to find the suitability of application of different
processes.
A particular manufacturing process found suitable under the given conditions may
not be equally efficient under other conditions. Therefore, a careful selection of the
process for a given manufacturing problem is essential. The analysis has been made from
the point of view of :
(i) Physical parameters involved in the processes;
(ii) Capability of machining different shapes of work material;
(iii) Applicability of different processes to various types of material, e.g. metals,
alloys and non-metals;
(iv) Operational characteristics of manufacturing and
(v) Economics involved in the various processes.