Additive Manufacturing for Rapid Sand Casting: Mechanical and Microstructural Investigation of Aluminum Alloy Automotive Prototypes

The automotive industry is undergoing a rapid evolution to meet today's challenges; therefore, continuous innovation and product development are needed. Validation tests on prototypes play a crucial role in moving new components into industrial production. There is also a pressing need for faster prototyping processes. In this context, rapid sand casting (RSC), based on additive manufacturing technology, offers a promising solution for a quick production of sand molds. While this technology is already employed in the industry, the need to deepen the general understanding of its impact on the casting properties is still a relevant item. In this study, different geometries of automotive prototypes made of aluminum EN AC 42100-T6 alloy were experimentally analyzed. Microstructural examinations, tensile tests, and fractography and porosity analyses were conducted. The findings demonstrate the considerable potential of RSC, giving, in general, high mechanical properties. A comparative analysis with prototypes produced through traditional sand casting revealed similar results, with RSC exhibiting superior yield strength and stress at brake. However, both technologies revealed a reduced elongation percentage, as expected. Future efforts will focus on standardizing the RSC process to enhance ductility levels

Progetto di un sistema di controllo per sospensioni in ambiente Matlab e Simulink

In questa tesi viene presentato il problema della sintesi di un controllore per un sistema di sospensioni di un'autoveicolo. Il problema viene presentato sia in ambiente Matlab che Simulink. La sintesi viene effettuata con tre metodologie differenti (controllore PID, luogo delle radici, sintesi di Bode) ciascuna corredata dalla rispettiva implementazione nello schema a blocchi di Simulinkope

El capital intelectual y la divulgación de información en las empresas sostenibles. Un estudio contextualizado en la Región Centro de Argentina

Fil: Catalano Cecchel, Ariana. Universidad Nacional Villa María; Argentina.Fil: Coria Nazzi, Victoria. Universidad Nacional Villa María; Argentina.Fil: Danna, María Belén. Universidad Nacional Villa María; Argentina.Fil: Gabioud, Ignacio. Universidad Nacional Villa María; Argentina

Analysis of intellectual capital and sustainability information in listed companies in Argentina

Introduction: under the sustainability paradigm, the elements that make up companies\u27 intellectual capital (IC) are considered key resources, given the central role that IC plays in the creation of economic, social, and environmental value. However, there is an informational problem surrounding IC, as reports prepared to comply with current regulatory requirements contain limited information, which has led to its disclosure being largely voluntary.Objectives: this paper aims to analyze the IC information disclosed by companies in the BYMA Sustainability Index in reports prepared under GRI standards, and to explore the relationship between IC and sustainability.Methods: an exploratory, descriptive, and interpretive research study was conducted, based on content analysis and the calculation of IC disclosure indices.Results: when disclosing sustainability-related information, companies revealed information on the three classic dimensions of IC, with a high level of disclosure. The importance of information on the relational dimension of IC was highlighted, in terms of commitment to the environment and society and the importance assigned to relationships with customers, suppliers, and other stakeholders.Conclusions: a significant relationship was found between IC and corporate sustainability. These findings demonstrate the growing connection between the two concepts, which is highlighted by the most recent literature and has recently been recognized at the regulatory level in IFRS S1 of the International Sustainability Standards Board

Procesos de control para Pymes

Fil: Catalano Cecchel, Ariana. Universidad Nacional Villa María; Argentina.Fil: Coria Nazzi, Victoria. Universidad Nacional Villa María; Argentina.Fil: Danna, María Belén. Universidad Nacional Villa María; Argentina.Fil: Gabioud, Ignacio. Universidad Nacional Villa María; Argentina.Fil: Jaume, Pedro. Universidad Nacional Villa María; Argentina

Evolution of prototyping in automotive engineering: a comprehensive study on the reliability of Additive Manufacturing for advanced powertrain components

Additive manufacturing (AM) could be used to reduce the production times of prototypes; however, further research is required to address metals structural parts. To obtain the correct properties, some relevant factors to be considered are the build volume, shape factor, and the need for specific heat treatments. This study aims to evaluate the reliability of AM prototypes applied at a new powertrain system developed to reduce vehicle emissions. Firstly, it was investigated the mechanical behavior, microstructure, and the effect of sample size and heat treatments on both specimens and prototypes made of AM 17-4PH steel. Finite Element Analysis (FEA) was performed to evaluate the structural resistance. Finally, the prototypes were produced, analyzed, and tested on a functional engine test bench to evaluate their reliability. The mechanical properties decreased with an increase in the sample volume. After heat treatment, the yield strength increased, due to the transformation of δ-ferrite in martensite and the reduction of retained austenite. The engine test bench was successfully completed. The conclusions set the basis for similar future applications of time-effective prototypes that can be dimensioned owing to appositely developed postprocesses that guarantee the required resistance

Evolution of prototyping in automotive engineering: a Comprehensive Study on the reliability of Additive Manufacturing for advanced powertrain components

Additive manufacturing (AM) could be used to reduce the production times of prototypes; however, further research is required to address metals structural parts. To obtain the correct properties, some relevant factors to be considered are the build volume, shape factor, and the need for specific heat treatments. This study aims to evaluate the reliability of AM prototypes applied at a new powertrain system developed to reduce vehicle emissions. Firstly, it was investigated the mechanical behavior, microstructure, and the effect of sample size and heat treatments on both specimens and prototypes made of AM 17-4PH steel. Finite Element Analysis (FEA) was performed to evaluate the structural resistance. Finally, the prototypes were produced, analyzed, and tested on a functional engine test bench to evaluate their reliability. The mechanical properties decreased with an increase in the sample volume. After heat treatment, the yield strength increased, due to the transformation of δ-ferrite in martensite and the reduction of retained austenite. The engine test bench was successfully completed. The conclusions set the basis for similar future applications of time-effective prototypes that can be dimensioned owing to appositely developed postprocesses that guarantee the required resistance

Investigating post-processing impact on fatigue performance of LPBF Ti6Al4V with heat treatment, high pressure heat treatment, and dry electropolishing strategies

This study investigates the impact of post-processing techniques on the fatigue behaviour of specimens in Ti6Al4V made by laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) for relevant applications, such as motorsport. Despite the LPBF advantages in terms of complex design and weight reduction, challenges such as reduced fatigue performance persist. Therefore, the application of post-processing treatments can play a critical role. In addition to traditional sandblasting (SB), three post-processing conditions were investigated to enhance mechanical properties under quasi-static and fatigue loading conditions: heat treatment (HT) and the innovative High Pressure Heat Treatment (HPHT) along with dry electropolishing (EP) treatment. The results indicate that both the HT and HPHT treatments produced a macrostructure with equiaxial grains composed of fine α + β lamellae. Mechanical analyses demonstrated that the HPHT-SB-EP condition exhibits properties comparable to those of forged Ti6Al4V used in the automotive field, with a good balance between strength and ductility. The EP treatment effectively reduced surface roughness and inherent surface irregularities caused by the LPBF process. The best fatigue results were achieved with the HPHT-SB-EP condition, despite data scattering. An increase in fatigue resistance was observed by using SB at a higher pressure

Progetto di un sistema di controllo per sospensioni in ambiente Matlab e Simulink

In questa tesi viene presentato il problema della sintesi di un controllore per un sistema di sospensioni di un'autoveicolo. Il problema viene presentato sia in ambiente Matlab che Simulink. La sintesi viene effettuata con tre metodologie differenti (controllore PID, luogo delle radici, sintesi di Bode) ciascuna corredata dalla rispettiva implementazione nello schema a blocchi di Simulin