9453491 Ni The award is for research in precision engineering, machining technology, and quality control in manufacturing. Research in precision engineering is focused on cost-effective software-based error compensation methods to improve machining accuracy, and development of methods to enhance performance of coordinate measurement machines. Research issues to be addressed include characterization of the thermal behavior of machine tools and coordinate measurement machines, and development of statistical sampling and evaluation methods for geometric dimensioning and tolerancing requirements based on discrete measurement data. Research in machining technology would focus on developing a science based for drills and drilling processes, and prevention of chatter in machining. Research in quality control involves utilization of advanced statistical techniques to deal with more extensive process measurement data, and integration of automatic process monitoring and diagnosis techniques with engineering process knowledge. Research in precision engineering is important for both commercial applications and weapons systems, and offers great potential for improving manufacturing competitiveness. Drilling is the most commonly used material removal process, accounting for more than 80 percent of chips produced. Chatter is a significant barrier to increase productivity in machining in general. Research in drilling and chatter is thus of great practical importance. The new generation of quality control methods proposed here is important for industrial competitiveness, and is needed to accommodate current production practices which result in more extensive measurement data.
