Search

Boiling heat transfer can be enhanced when the heater’s surface morphology is altered. The paper discusses the use of the laser beam to produce efficient heat exchangers. Two types of samples were investigated with distilled water and ethyl alcohol as boiling agents. The specimens differed with the height of the microfins: 0.19 mm and 0.89 mm. It was observed that both of them enhanced boiling heat transfer in comparison to the smooth reference surface. However, the sample with higher microfins performed better, especially in the region of low temperature differences, where the heat flux was about three times higher than in the case of the smaller microfins. The comparison of the experimental data with selected models of boiling heat transfer revealed significant differences with regard to the heat flux. The laser-made samples dissipated larger heat fluxes than it could be anticipated according to the models. It might be linked with high surface roughness of the area between the microfins, generated as a result of the laser beam interaction with the surface.

The work presents the use of laser texturing of DLC coatings to improve tribological properties. The coatings were applied by the PVD method to the rings made of 4H13 steel. The surface texturing was performed with the TruMICRO 5325c picosecond laser with the radiation wavelength λ = 343 nm. The surface microstructure analysis, surface microgeometry and microhardness measurements and tribological tests were carried out. The problem presented in the paper can be used to extend the knowledge of the areas of application of DLC coatings, especially in sliding friction pairs.

The introduction of solutions conventionally called Industry 4.0 to the industry resulted in the need to make many changes in the traditional procedures of industrial data analysis based on the DOE (Design of Experiments) methodology. The increase in the number of controlled and observed factors considered, the intensity of the data stream and the size of the analyzed datasets revealed the shortcomings of the existing procedures. Modifying procedures by adapting Big Data solutions and data-driven methods is becoming an increasingly pressing need. The article presents the current methods of DOE, considers the existing problems caused by the introduction of mass automation and data integration under Industry 4.0, and indicates the most promising areas in which to look for possible problem solutions.

The paper presents a study on microstructure and microhardness changes obtained in the spun carbon steel tube after shaping by a laser beam. The surface of a pipe was machined circumferentially using a 1500 W CO2 laser beam at various diameters (distance from the focus). As a result, plastic deformations such as convex and narrowing shape changes were observed. The conducted research, including microhardness measurements, shows that, in comparison to the unprocessed material, the microstructure was significantly changed, both in the convex and narrowed layer.

The design of experiment (DoE) is a methodology originated from early 1920s when Fisher’s papers created the analysis of variance and first known experimental designs: latin squares. It is focused on a construction of empirical models based on measurements obtained from specifically structured and driven experiments. Its development resulted in the constitution of four distinctive branches recognized by the industry: factorials (full or fractional), Taguchi’s robust design, Shainin’s Red-X®and a response surface methodology (RSM). On one hand, the well-known success stories of this methodology implementations promise great benefits, while on other hand, the mathematical complexity of mathematical and statistical assumptions very often lead to improper use and wrong inferences. The possible solution to avoid such mistakes is the expert system supporting the design of experiments and subsequently the analysis of obtained data. The authors propose the outline of such system and provides the general analysis of the ontology and related inference rules.