**3.4.4 The research activity**

Proper implementation of the project must be made in accordance with the timetable of the project. Creativity in design research meetings (fig.7) may be carried out between research team members in a synchronous or asynchronous fashion. Experimental activities, the drawing up of a model and the design and manufacturing activities may be undertaken in one or more locations. The current software enables organising meetings with the participation of specialists located in different geographical areas (Beju & Brindasu 2008).

Software products such as "Teamviewer" and "Teamcenter" enable that all participants of such a remote meeting make the viewing, the modifying and the completion of the drawings. The final version of the model (drawing) can be discussed by all of the participants and accepted by consensus or by vote. In order to develop new solutions, it is necessary to establish a virtual team. The methodology for choosing the team members is shown below in the pseudocode:

Modern Methods of Education, Research and Design Used in Mechanical Engineering 609

 ORGANIZE a network meeting for establishing the analysis criteria. Each member will rate all the criteria. A specific software will determine the most important criteria as

 ORGANIZE a networking session with the aim to develop new constructive solutions in connection with the proposed theme and in accordance with the criteria set out above

 ORGANIZE a networking session with the aim of analyzing the existing constructive solutions based on the criteria set out above (consider all possible variants -the

Research design sessions on the network can be done synchronously or asynchronously.

INFORM research - design theme- to all group members by email;

For the synchronous sessions, the stages can be:

well as an indicator of their importance;

Morphological Method is very useful for this task); ORGANIZE a new session on the network (if necessary).

Fig. 7. E-design – E-research platform (Creative design page)

ESTABLISH working team members;

– by using a creativity method;


Fig. 6. Project planning

ESTABLISH the members of the virtual E-research Group;

DO WHILE the E-research group is complete

CONTACT a member of the virtual E-research group;

IF the person agrees to participate

THEN

EXPLAIN the working principles;

IF the level of knowledge must be checked (students)

THEN

The person solves a test;

IF the test results are good

THEN the person is accepted in group

ELSE select another person from the virtual group

#### END IF

ELSE

Accept the person in the group;

END IF

 END IF END DO

Research design sessions on the network can be done synchronously or asynchronously.

For the synchronous sessions, the stages can be:

ESTABLISH working team members;

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Fig. 6. Project planning

THEN

THEN

 END IF ELSE

 END IF END DO

END IF

ESTABLISH the members of the virtual E-research Group;

IF the level of knowledge must be checked (students)

THEN the person is accepted in group

ELSE select another person from the virtual group

CONTACT a member of the virtual E-research group;

DO WHILE the E-research group is complete

IF the person agrees to participate

EXPLAIN the working principles;

 The person solves a test; IF the test results are good

Accept the person in the group;



Fig. 7. E-design – E-research platform (Creative design page)

Modern Methods of Education, Research and Design Used in Mechanical Engineering 611

 At the end, the chosen solution is optimised (fig.8) . All attendees will once again award marks to the found solution. To adopt it, in general, five of the six team members must award the highest mark. Otherwise, the process starts again, until the best solution is

E-sessions can be organized in a classical manner or by using creative methods. The creative methods have the advantage of overcoming the psychological inertia. A number of methods can be used: consonance, extrapolation, combination, analogy, inversion, empathy, modifying, improving, INPUT-OUTPUT techniques, interrogative lists. These E-sessions are organized by

In the proposed case, a synchronous network meeting was organised, in order to build a representative model of boring tools. Some creativity methods were used. In order to break

The main purpose of the on-line creativity sessions was the representation of several modules with cylindrical or toroidal shapes. Based on these shapes, several inserts were placed on the cylindrical side and/or on the frontal side, in radial or tangent position.

After these steps, the final shape of the representative tool (fig.9) for hole manufacturing was obtained in asynchronous communication. The representative model (fig. 9) consists of several conical and cylindrical bodies placed on the same axis (the z-axis). The main form of the tool can be spindle or hole type. On the cylindrical, conical and frontal surfaces, inserts

topic, by the type of research, by the importance of the theme, by team skills, etc.

Imagine yourself in the place of the boring tool. How would you work easier?

the psychological inertia of participants, questions were asked, such as:

From what part of you would you like cutting fluid to be provided?

What material would you prefer being built of?

What happens if you look at the process from inside?….

are placed in radial or tangent positions (Popescu et al., 2010).

Fig. 9. Representative model of the boring tools

Through customization, several real boring heads was obtained (fig.10).

How would the edges better be placed?

obtained.



Fig. 8. E-design, E-research platform (page for establishing the best solution)

For asynchronous E-sessions, the problem definition, the research themes, as well as other necessary documents are sent to the team members, as showcased in the algorithm below:


 At the end, the chosen solution is optimised (fig.8) . All attendees will once again award marks to the found solution. To adopt it, in general, five of the six team members must award the highest mark. Otherwise, the process starts again, until the best solution is obtained.

E-sessions can be organized in a classical manner or by using creative methods. The creative methods have the advantage of overcoming the psychological inertia. A number of methods can be used: consonance, extrapolation, combination, analogy, inversion, empathy, modifying, improving, INPUT-OUTPUT techniques, interrogative lists. These E-sessions are organized by topic, by the type of research, by the importance of the theme, by team skills, etc.

In the proposed case, a synchronous network meeting was organised, in order to build a representative model of boring tools. Some creativity methods were used. In order to break the psychological inertia of participants, questions were asked, such as:


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Fig. 8. E-design, E-research platform (page for establishing the best solution)

Each participant will receive a code (e.g. P1, P2, P3, P4, P5, P6);

to solve the problems;

the previous step

participant has gotten hold of it

criteria and by all the team members);

 A preliminary design of this very solution is performed; The chosen solution is analysed by all team members;

For asynchronous E-sessions, the problem definition, the research themes, as well as other necessary documents are sent to the team members, as showcased in the algorithm below:

After the acknowledgement of the problem, each participant will write three proposals

The file is sent from one participant to the other in the order of their codes, until every

 Each participant fills in details, makes improvements, establishes details, makes comments on the previous ideas, until all the ideas are discussed by all the participants; One of the participants (usually the project manager) analyses, groups and compares the proposals (value analysis can be used, by marking each solution for all the proposed

The project manager determines the best solution based on the marks awarded during

What happens if you look at the process from inside?….

The main purpose of the on-line creativity sessions was the representation of several modules with cylindrical or toroidal shapes. Based on these shapes, several inserts were placed on the cylindrical side and/or on the frontal side, in radial or tangent position.

After these steps, the final shape of the representative tool (fig.9) for hole manufacturing was obtained in asynchronous communication. The representative model (fig. 9) consists of several conical and cylindrical bodies placed on the same axis (the z-axis). The main form of the tool can be spindle or hole type. On the cylindrical, conical and frontal surfaces, inserts are placed in radial or tangent positions (Popescu et al., 2010).

Through customization, several real boring heads was obtained (fig.10).

Fig. 9. Representative model of the boring tools

Modern Methods of Education, Research and Design Used in Mechanical Engineering 613

secure and stable insert. The purpose of this phase of research was to determine the inclination of the insert and of the slot. Solving of the equation allowed the establishing of

Fig. 11. Equilibrium analysis of the clamping system due to elasticity of the tool body

C

R1 µR1

Fz 0 z

R2

d

µR2

e

Fy

A

y

**3.4.6 Analysis, interpretation, dissemination and sale of research results** 

be presented in reports, research papers, databases, E-learning products etc.

to establish the manner in which the project was done;

to identify the changes that can improve it in the future.

**3.4.8 Delivery of the research results to the beneficiary** 

The completion of the audit of the project is of great importance because it allows:

Audit and project reports are tools of continuous improvement of the organization.

Accomplished research results should be delivered to the beneficiary in a useful manner.

Changes in the economic, social, political areas, as well as the availability of information determine changes in the needs and educational offers. One successful solution is E-

The result of the research project was discussed and validated by all the team members. Typically, other specialists and the beneficiaries are allowed to attend the synchronous

The analysis of the results is performed on different processes, using the theoretical and experimental data. The results are graphics, tables and databases. These synthetic results can

to track the flaws of the project during its development, as well as the causes of its

the optimal values 1=2…15 and 2=2…6.

b

**3.4.5 Validation of the project results** 

**3.4.7 Audit of the research project** 

to ensure the satisfaction of the client;

meetings.

success;

**4. Conclusions** 

Fig. 10. Boring heads (a) with tangential inserts attached to the cylindrical part, (b) with inserts placed on the frontal side by the elasticity of the tool body, (c) with tangential insert placed on the frontal face, (d) with insert with several edges, (e) with tangential insert placed the cylindrical side of an adjustable body, (f) modular tool)

A more outstanding solution is a modular boring tool with a carbide helical drill or a drill with carbide inserts (in the case of larger diameter) and a special adjustable body for chamfer. The insert is fixed due to the elasticity of the tool body (fig. 10,f). This was the solution, which was finally chosen by the research team.

The following step represents the optimisation of the adopted solution.

Optimisation criteria were:


To this solution, there were several aspects that could be optimized: the shape of the insert, the clamping system and the tool body. Optimization began with the estimation of the forces. The study continued with a static (fig.11) and dynamic modelling process, and it finalised with a Finite Element Method analysis.

The clamping system due to the elasticity of the tool body is very economical in terms of space. It is necessary to precisely determine the shape of the elements, in order to obtain a secure and stable insert. The purpose of this phase of research was to determine the inclination of the insert and of the slot. Solving of the equation allowed the establishing of the optimal values 1=2…15 and 2=2…6.

Fig. 11. Equilibrium analysis of the clamping system due to elasticity of the tool body
