International Journal of Machine Tools & Manufacture最新文献

{"title":"A novel incremental forming method coupled with additive manufacturing for heterogeneous Steel/Al laminated structures","authors":"Zhidong Chang ,&nbsp;Gongwei Shi ,&nbsp;Ziying Ding ,&nbsp;Dayong An ,&nbsp;Peihao Geng ,&nbsp;Yongbing Li ,&nbsp;Jun Chen","doi":"10.1016/j.ijmachtools.2026.104409","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijmachtools.2026.104409","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Laminated sheet metal parts comprise two or more substrate sheet metals to leverage the respective performance advantages, yielding superior overall performance with wider application prospects compared to single-layer parts. However, traditional manufacturing methods for sequentially bonding and forming extend development cycle time with poor part performance. In the present work, a novel hybrid manufacturing method synchronizing incremental sheet forming with friction stir additive manufacturing for laminated sheet metal parts is proposed. Through experiments, microstructural characterization and mechanical testing, the influence of process parameters on the mechanical properties and microstructure of heterogeneous materials are investigated. Inspired by biological structure, multiple heterogeneous structures are introduced to enhance the mechanical properties and bonding performance, including dual-gradient grain and bimodal grain structures in material matrix and interlocking corrugated texture at the Steel/Al interface. The dual-gradient grain structure from surface to interior of steel matrix reflects a transition from grain refinement to dynamic recrystallisation. The coarse grains in bimodal structure of aluminum matrix underwent severe plastic deformation with significant precipitation behavior and the ultrafine grains exhibit recrystallisation behavior along with numerous stacking faults. It is also found that the average misorientation value in the corrugated interface is markedly higher than those in material matrix, along with abundant dislocations and twin structures within interfacial compound layer. Both yield strength and shearing strength of laminated sheet materials significantly increase with rising pre-strain and interface corrugation, reaching 437 MPa and 112 MPa at a pre-strain of 0.30 and corrugated amplitude of 10 μm, respectively and encompassing those of laminated materials by conventional processes reported. This work reveals a fundamental mechanism that heterostructure-induced stress partitioning contributes to the synergistic enhancement of mechanical property and interfacial bonding, with the contribution rate of back stress reaching 76% of yield stress. Finally, case studies demonstrate the proposed process realizes integrated forming-bonding-additive manufacturing of laminated sheet metal parts with short cycle time, enabling the in-situ engineering of multi-scale heterogeneous structures to simultaneously improve strength and bonding performances.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":14011,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Machine Tools & Manufacture","volume":"219 ","pages":"Article 104409"},"PeriodicalIF":18.8,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148180174","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A 3D defect-driven analytical framework linking geometric evolution to failure limits in ring hydroforming","authors":"Binyu Yan,&nbsp;Bao Meng,&nbsp;Min Wan","doi":"10.1016/j.ijmachtools.2026.104412","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijmachtools.2026.104412","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Achieving precise geometric control in the forming of complex ultrathin-walled components remains a persistent challenge due to the intricate coordination of multi-process parameters. Critically, the underlying mapping mechanism between geometric evolution and failure initiation has not been fully elucidated. This study proposed a novel analytical framework that quantitatively reveals the nonlinear coupling effects of process parameters on geometric evolution and defect transitions in ring hydroforming. Combining finite element simulations and experiments, the deformation behavior at each stage of the ring hydroforming process was analyzed. Obvious wall thinning was observed during the pre-bulging and feeding-bulging stages. The pressure and displacement exhibited a coupling effect on the geometric shape, the inappropriate loading paths of them may lead to geometric defects such as insufficient height or material accumulation. Based on the mechanical analysis through static equilibrium relationships, the geometric contour evolution characterization models that mathematically characterize the cross-sectional shape transition from circular to elliptical to U-shaped profiles were established, which were utilized to quantify the interrelations among process parameters and cross-sectional shape changes. Furthermore, by integrating critical constraints including minimum plastic deformation pressure, maximum burst pressure, geometric folding and excessive thinning, a 3D “displacement-bulging height-pressure” parameter-defect mapping space was constructed to visually analyze intrinsic relationship. Displacement and pressure exert a non-linear coupled influence on geometric evolution and defect formation. Specifically, an increase in pre-bulging pressure diminishes the driving efficacy of axial displacement on bulging height, explicitly resulting in a contraction of the parameter-defect mapping space. As the cross-sectional profile evolves, the dominant failure mechanism shifts from excessive thinning to either bursting or geometric folding, with the transition point determined by component geometry and loading history. The M-shaped ring, triple-peak ring and multi-wave corrugated flattened tube were successfully manufactured under loading paths designed within the contracted mapping space. Comparative analysis of experimental, simulation and geometric model results regarding cross-sectional profile evolution and wall thinning distributions further validates the mechanistic insights and demonstrates the framework's potential for guiding high-precision forming of complex ultrathin-walled components.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":14011,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Machine Tools & Manufacture","volume":"219 ","pages":"Article 104412"},"PeriodicalIF":18.8,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148180175","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Adaptive and deterministic laser polishing enabled by in-process interferometric feedback","authors":"Yuta Teshima ,&nbsp;Reina Yoshizaki ,&nbsp;Yangjin Kim ,&nbsp;Kenichi Hibino ,&nbsp;Yanming Zhang ,&nbsp;Shogo Kitamura ,&nbsp;Iori Watanabe ,&nbsp;Naohiko Sugita","doi":"10.1016/j.ijmachtools.2026.104398","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijmachtools.2026.104398","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>High-precision finishing of hard–brittle materials requires the simultaneous control of submicrometer form and nanometer-scale roughness, ideally with high yield and low consumable usage. Noncontact beam-based processes such as laser machining can avoid tool wear, reduce reliance on contact consumables, and relax tool-access constraints. However, deterministic finishing at the waviness and roughness scales remains difficult when the effective material-removal response varies with local absorption, near-surface state, and accumulated irradiation. Conventional laser finishing approaches are typically performed either in open loop or with between-cycle corrections based on offline surface metrology and an assumed stationary removal function, and are therefore vulnerable to such uncertainty. Here, this study examines whether deterministic surface-quality control in laser finishing can be achieved by using in-process surface metrology and feedback, without relying on a precisely calibrated removal function. To this end, we propose an on-machine interferometric feedback framework in which white-light interferometry (WLI) defines a virtual reference surface, a residual height map is computed after each iteration, and irradiation sites are replanned to selectively remove protrusions. Implemented with femtosecond-pulse ablation, the closed loop achieved convergent reductions in both the residual metric and the surface roughness during planarization of single-crystal diamond (SCD). In two experiments on chemical-vapor-deposition-grown SCD, the areal roughness <span><math><msub><mrow><mi>S</mi></mrow><mrow><mi>a</mi></mrow></msub></math></span> decreased from 82.6 to 23.1 nm and from 129 to 44.3 nm, with the minimum-roughness states reached after seven to eight iterations. The roughness-improvement ratio <span><math><mrow><mi>Δ</mi><msub><mrow><mi>S</mi></mrow><mrow><mi>a</mi></mrow></msub><mo>/</mo><mi>Δ</mi><mi>z</mi></mrow></math></span> reached 0.493 to 0.900, which is one to two orders of magnitude higher than values reported for representative open-loop laser-polishing processes. Loop-to-loop scatter in removed volume and single-point tests on rough and smooth surfaces showed that the effective material-removal response is topography dependent, explaining why iterative replanning from measured residuals is beneficial. Post-machining roughness measured by WLI agreed with measurements obtained by atomic force microscopy, supporting quantitative in-process evaluation under evolving surface-optics conditions. The attainable roughness was ultimately bounded by two coupled mechanisms: irradiation-induced loss of fringe visibility in WLI and residual laser-induced periodic surface structures. These results establish adaptive replanning as a measurement-driven route to deterministic, high-yield, noncontact laser polishing under non-stationary material removal.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":14011,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Machine Tools & Manufacture","volume":"218 ","pages":"Article 104398"},"PeriodicalIF":18.8,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147952161","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A review of robotic machining dynamics: A new perspective based on multi-source compliance","authors":"Shihao Xin ,&nbsp;Jiawei Wu ,&nbsp;Kai Sun ,&nbsp;Ming Zhong ,&nbsp;Xiaowei Tang ,&nbsp;Fangyu Peng ,&nbsp;Rui Fu ,&nbsp;Yuhui Yu ,&nbsp;Hao Li ,&nbsp;Xiang Ni","doi":"10.1016/j.ijmachtools.2026.104397","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijmachtools.2026.104397","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The six-degree-of-freedom series structure of robots has brought a series of advantages such as excellent processing flexibility, large working space, and in-situ processing. In recent years, it has seen significant development and is gradually being applied across multiple critical fields. However, the manufacturing demands for large components pose significant challenges to robotic machining efficiency and quality. The inherent drawbacks of the six-degree-of-freedom serial structure—insufficient dynamic rigidity, low static stiffness, and significant pose-dependent stiffness variation of the robot body—have increasingly emerged. The machining dynamics issues caused by the robot body compliance need to be given priority attention. On the other hand, as the part of the robotic milling system that directly contacts the workpiece, the tool section is also of great significance to conduct research and analysis on the machining dynamics issues caused by its compliance. Therefore, the robotic milling system is a multi-source compliant system, influenced by multiple compliant components simultaneously, and even at relatively high tooth passing frequencies, the robot body compliance is still excited. Discussing and comparing the characteristics and distinctions of research focusing on different compliant components in terms of dynamic characteristics, machining stability, and chatter suppression, for further in-depth exploration of robotic machining dynamics, forming a theoretical framework of machining dynamics with the distinctive robotic characteristics has significant guiding significance. However, there is still a lack of detailed, specific and clear reviews on robotic machining dynamics centered on the multi-source compliance characteristics of robots. Therefore, this review will comprehensively summarize and review the related research on dynamic characteristics, stability and chatter suppression in the field of robotic machining dynamics from a new perspective of multi-source compliance. Concurrently, it will summarize existing challenges in robotic machining dynamics research while outlining future development directions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":14011,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Machine Tools & Manufacture","volume":"218 ","pages":"Article 104397"},"PeriodicalIF":18.8,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147850263","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Axial hydro-extrusion: A novel stress-transformation-based method to synchronously reduce multi-dimensional deviations of profiled hollow members","authors":"Qingfeng Wang ,&nbsp;Lei Sun ,&nbsp;Wenlong Xie ,&nbsp;Deqi Hou ,&nbsp;Long Zhao ,&nbsp;Cunsheng Zhang ,&nbsp;Guannan Chu","doi":"10.1016/j.ijmachtools.2026.104399","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijmachtools.2026.104399","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>To address multi-dimensional geometric deviations in extruded profiled thin-walled hollow members, which are challenging to correct using traditional processes, this study proposes an axial hydro-extrusion method based on a novel stress-transformation mechanism for synchronous control of multi-dimensional deviations. Unlike traditional tensile-based forming, this process induces global plastic extrusion deformation through axial feeding under internal pressure, transforming non-uniform axial, circumferential, and shear stresses into a nearly uniform and predominantly compressive stress state. This shift eliminates stress gradients, thereby controlling deviations in different dimensions and enabling synchronous outer contour correction of the hollow member. First, the effect of stiffeners on wrinkling and shape accuracy of the outer contour of the hollow member in axial hydro-extrusion is analysed, establishing a critical instability internal pressure model. Next, stress states generated by different geometric deviations during fitting die deformation and their changes during axial extrusion are investigated through theoretical and simulation methods, clarifying the reasons for deviation changes in different dimensions. Additionally, a critical extrusion displacement model incorporating work hardening is developed to quantify the stress transformation process and analyse the effects of initial deviations on critical extrusion displacements. Finally, a specialised axial hydro-extrusion forming platform is designed for single-cavity and multi-cavity hollow members with various deviations, achieving over 95% reduction in dimensional deviations. This study provides a new strategy for solving the problem of multi-dimensional geometric deviation synchronisation control in complex thin-walled hollow members.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":14011,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Machine Tools & Manufacture","volume":"218 ","pages":"Article 104399"},"PeriodicalIF":18.8,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147850264","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Mechanisms of reactive medium-assisted laser ablation of thermally active materials: a case study of hydrochloric film-assisted laser machining of microchannel arrays on AlN","authors":"Jiawei Liu ,&nbsp;Ni Chen ,&nbsp;Kaixuan Feng ,&nbsp;Qi Liu ,&nbsp;Yonghui Xu ,&nbsp;Xiang Li ,&nbsp;Eberhard Abele ,&nbsp;Ning He","doi":"10.1016/j.ijmachtools.2026.104388","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijmachtools.2026.104388","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Aluminium nitride high-temperature co-fired ceramic (AlN HTCC) is a promising substrate material for electronic packaging, and the fabrication of microchannel arrays on its backside can significantly enhance its heat dissipation performance. However, the high hardness and brittleness of AlN present considerable challenges in the machining of microstructures. Therefore, this study proposes a hydrochloric film-assisted laser processing (HFALP) technique. Initially, a systematic analysis was conducted on the multi-factor energy attenuation mechanism of laser beams. Based on this, a temperature distribution model capable of accurately predicting the line-etching morphology was developed. Furthermore, through transient observations, flow field simulations, and comparative experiments under different liquid phases, this study reveals, for the first time, the intrinsic relationship between the cavitation bubble dynamic behaviour, laser, and liquid layer. This leads to the clarification of two material removal mechanisms, tunnel channel ablation and cavitation ablation, induced by multi-mechanism synergy within the ternary system of “laser-reactive medium-thermally-active material”. Finally, narrow microgrooves with an aspect ratio of 8.6:1 were successfully fabricated on AlN by coupling the two ablation mechanisms. Compared with laser chemical milling, HFALP improved the machining depth, mean deviation of the contour, and processing efficiency by 41.24%, 30.11%, and 3845.2%, respectively, and achieved stable fabrication of microchannel array structures with a profile deviation of only 0.1%. This study not only provides a reliable process for the thermal management application of AlN but also, through successful validation on other reactive materials, establishes a universal theoretical framework for “reactive medium-assisted laser processing”. This offers reusable technical pathways and mechanistic support for efficient and high-quality machining of various thermally-active materials.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":14011,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Machine Tools & Manufacture","volume":"217 ","pages":"Article 104388"},"PeriodicalIF":18.8,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147502340","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Spatial heterostructure engineering and enhanced mechanical isotropy in hybrid additive manufacturing of high-strength aluminum alloys via different cyclic interlayer friction stir processing strategies","authors":"Jiming Lv ,&nbsp;Kaiyu Luo ,&nbsp;Haifei Lu ,&nbsp;Jinzhong Lu","doi":"10.1016/j.ijmachtools.2026.104389","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijmachtools.2026.104389","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>To address the dilemma between high-defect susceptibility of fusion-based additive manufacturing (AM) and the process-interruption sensitivity of solid-state AM for the high-strength AA7075 alloys, this study reports a hybrid manufacturing technology. It applies cyclic interlayer friction stir processing (C-IFSP) during laser directed energy deposition (LDED). The fundamental advancement lies in establishing a thermomechanical strategy that couples defect elimination and microstructural heterogeneity control, enabling in-situ architectural design of grain size and precipitate distributions across multiple length scales. Two contrasting C-IFSP strategies, unidirectional (UC-IFSP) and reciprocating (RC-IFSP), were systematically investigated. Both eliminated LDED-entrapped pores (porosity reduced by ∼4 and ∼7 orders of magnitude, respectively), but divergent thermomechanical transients yielded markedly different heterostructures: UC-IFSP produced laminated ultrafine/fine-grained layers along the build direction, whereas RC-IFSP established a bimodal grain structure with additional transverse heterogeneity. Consequently, RC-IFSP achieved synergetic enhancement of strength and ductility in the transverse direction while reducing strength anisotropy by 21.7%, reconstituting the strengthening mechanism from nanoprecipitate-dominated (wrought plate) to a synergistic strengthening of precipitate, dislocation, fine-grain, and heterogeneous deformation. This work establishes a pathway for defect-free, hierarchically controlled AM of high-strength Al alloys through spatially programmed thermomechanical processing.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":14011,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Machine Tools & Manufacture","volume":"217 ","pages":"Article 104389"},"PeriodicalIF":18.8,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147586813","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Thermal stress wave-driven regime in femtosecond laser-induced nanomaterial transfer revealed by ultrafast electron microscopy and atomic simulation","authors":"Yu Zhou ,&nbsp;Xiaoxiang Wang ,&nbsp;ZiJie Lu ,&nbsp;Guohu Luo ,&nbsp;Bin Chen ,&nbsp;Dongping Zhong ,&nbsp;Yongxiang Hu","doi":"10.1016/j.ijmachtools.2026.104366","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijmachtools.2026.104366","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Femtosecond laser-induced transfer effectively prints plasmonic nanomaterials onto stretchable substrates. The transfer behaviors are precisely adjusted through laser fluence, distinguishing femtosecond laser processing from melt-driven or vapor-driven transfer processes. Since this transfer typically occurs at the nanoscale, elucidating its mechanism requires visualization with high spatiotemporal resolution. In this study, pulsed lasers are integrated with a transmission electron microscope for nanosecond- and nanometer-scale observations of transfer behaviors. The thermal stress wave-driven transfer regime is revealed through a two-temperature model coupled with molecular dynamics simulations. The irradiated nanoisland detaches and jumps away from the supporting substrate within tens of picoseconds, while its complete melting and contraction into spherical nanoparticles occur over several to tens of nanoseconds, marking the first nanoscale confirmation via experimental observation and atomic simulation. Ultrafast laser heating induces inhomogeneous lattice expansion, generating a gigapascal-level compressive thermal stress wave that propagates at the speed of sound. Upon reaching the interface, the compressive stress wave reflects as a tensile wave, leading to the detachment of nanoislands from the substrate. The process is primarily governed by directionally propagating normal stress waves rather than static thermal shear stress, with ultrafast non-equilibrium heating and constraints from the rigid substrate as crucial factors. This study reveals a novel thermal stress wave-driven regime in femtosecond laser-induced nanomaterials transfer, offering an effective approach for fabricating nano-plasmonic devices. These insights into thermo-mechanical coupling carry significant implications for advancing broader femtosecond laser micro/nano-processing.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":14011,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Machine Tools & Manufacture","volume":"216 ","pages":"Article 104366"},"PeriodicalIF":18.8,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145995520","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Printing mechanisms to support the supports: A dual-scale heat dissipation framework governing printing process, heat transfer, and forming performance in laser powder bed fusion","authors":"Han Zhang,&nbsp;Dongdong Gu","doi":"10.1016/j.ijmachtools.2026.104375","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijmachtools.2026.104375","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Inappropriate, empiricism- and trial-and-error-driven use of supports tends to cause high scrap rates, prolonged build cycles, and elevated post-processing costs, becoming a key bottleneck to the industrial deployment of laser powder bed fusion (LPBF). To address the lack of a generalizable physical basis for support design in LPBF, this study combines targeted experiments with multiphysics simulations to elucidate how support topology and parameters regulate thermal behavior, down-skin quality, and anchoring strength. This study reconceptualizes supports as active thermomechanical boundary conditions by establishing a new dual-scale heat dissipation framework, in which macroscale overall heat removal governs melt-pool solidification morphology and process stability, and microscale local heat removal at the overhang interface controls dross formation and interfacial defects. Within this framework, block supports (continuous line contacts) reduce dross thickness by ∼20–40 % at comparable contact area, owing to a more uniform distribution of support points. In contrast, cone supports (discrete point contacts) enhance overall heat dissipation, raising the effective heat transfer coefficient by ∼38 % and lowering the melt-pool depth-to-width ratio. Anchoring strength is governed by stress distribution, and block supports reach ∼260.8 MPa (∼47 % of bulk) while using ∼44.8 % less contact area than cones. This work introduces a generalizable dual-scale framework with two physics-based design parameters: contact area ratio governing macroscale thermal conduction and unit density controlling microscale melt-contact probability. These parameters unify processing quality, heat transfer, and mechanical anchoring within a quantifiable design space, enabling predictive optimization across support typologies, materials, and geometries, and providing the mechanistic foundation for functional support design. This work enables predictive support optimization across materials, scan strategies, and geometries, thereby could reduce trial-and-error efforts, lower post-processing burdens, and improve the manufacturability and consistency of complex components.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":14011,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Machine Tools & Manufacture","volume":"216 ","pages":"Article 104375"},"PeriodicalIF":18.8,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146072473","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Robotic end-effectors for manufacturing: Recent developments and future research challenges","authors":"Abdelkhalick Mohammad ,&nbsp;Erhui Sun ,&nbsp;Junfu Zhou ,&nbsp;Guilin Yang ,&nbsp;Guolong Zhang ,&nbsp;Jokin Munoa ,&nbsp;Asier Barrios","doi":"10.1016/j.ijmachtools.2026.104367","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijmachtools.2026.104367","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Industrial robots excel at replicating human movements, with robotic arms mimicking the human arm and end-effectors replicating the hand. While robot arm designs offer versatility, end-effectors, typically designed for specific tasks, lack this flexibility. Despite numerous review papers focusing on specific applications or aspects of robotic end-effectors -such as agriculture, surgery, space, grinding, or control methods - a clear gap remains: the lack of a comprehensive review that integrates design, modeling, and control across diverse manufacturing applications. This paper reviews the state-of-the-art in robotic end-effectors, exploring their design variations and the enabling technologies that power them. The review categorises end-effectors based on their applications, including finishing, machining (traditional and non-traditional), additive manufacturing and grasping end-effectors. In each category we highlight the key design considerations for optimal performance. Beyond their application-specific designs, the paper explores the enabling technologies that shape end-effector capabilities. Sensors, the “eyes and ears,” provide crucial information on the environment through force sensors and vision systems. Actuators, the “muscles,” convert electrical signals into movement using pneumatics, hydraulics, or increasingly popular electric mechanisms. The paper concludes by discussing the modelling and control aspects of end-effectors. Kinematic, dynamic, and stiffness models are explored as crucial tools for designing and analysing these versatile tools, ensuring optimal functionality, accuracy, and efficiency. Finally, control tools act as the conductor, orchestrating the entire operation, and translating commands into real-time actions. This review emphasizes the importance of end-effectors in expanding robot capabilities and highlights the intricate interplay of design and enabling technologies that drive their development.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":14011,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Machine Tools & Manufacture","volume":"216 ","pages":"Article 104367"},"PeriodicalIF":18.8,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145995514","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}