Research Results in the Past(1960〜1986）
1.FRP Moulding Techniques
In the 1960's there was considerable interest in, and development of, techniques for producing and using Fiber Reinforced Plastics (FRPs) As part of this effort, the laboratory was involved in the development of techniques for FRP moulding and developed metal matched-die moulding processes, and filament winding techniques for the production of pressure vessels and similar components. These techniques were then applied in the construction of a milling machine which used FRP bodies (the first of its type in the world) and a high performance FRP flywheel.
2.Electric Car
From 1971 to 1977, the Japanese Government ran a large scale project to develop electric cars. MEL was involved with this project and developed four different types of electric vehicles, and eight different types of drive and control systems. It is believed that the data obtained at the laboratory were the best in the world.
3.Solar Spectra Obtained by Balloon-borne Spectrometer
In this study, a compact piezo-electric scanned spectrometer was developed and mounted on a balloon-borne platform to obtain high resolution ultra-violet spectra of the sun up to an altitude of 38km. The experiment was carried out in 1975, and sophisticated control systems enabled a spectral resolution of 0.16 Angstroms, and a pointing accuracy of 1 arc second to be achieved.
4.Flexible Manufacturing System Complex with Laser Processing
From 1977 to 1984 work was carried out towards the development of automated systems for the small batch production of machine components. MEL played a leading role in the planning and execution of this project, and in the final stages a test plant was constructed at Tsukuba for operational evaluation. The plant included a 20kw laser, made use of new flexible machining techniques, and was the subject of world-wide attention.
5.Impact Resistance of Shipping Casks
In this investigation drop tests using a series of scale model casks, and dynamic simulation, were used to determine the behaviour of casks under accident conditions. The limits of applicability of the similarity laws were investigated, and the results of this investigation indicated that models larger than 1/4 scale should be used. This recommendation was adopted in the 1985 revised edition of the IAEA Safety Series No.37.
6.Milling Machine Constructed using Adhesive Bonding
In this investigation, a prototype milling machine consisting of steel pipe and plate components bonded together using epoxy glue was constructed. The slideways are also attached to the machine using adhesive. Machines made using this technique have good vibrational damping and stiffness characteristics compared to conventional cast iron machines.
7.Guide Dog Robot - MELDOG
The concept of using an intelligent mobile robot as a guide dog for the blind was first proposed at MEL, and the feasibility of this concept was demonstrated by the construction of a robot known as MELDOG. This work began the current wave of interest in intelligent mobile robots, and received several prizes from organisations such as the IEEE/EMBS, and the Robotics Society of Japan for it's pioneering development of human- robot symbiosis.
8.Blood Flow Velocimetry
The operation of a living body is critically dependent on the flow of blood, and in turn, blood flows are often directly affected by external stimulation - particularly flows in the small peripheral vessels. Measurement of these flows is therefore iruportant, but the small size of the vessels poses some unique problems. These were overcome at MEL through the use of microscopic Laser Doppler Velocimetry (LDV) - Highly sensitive LDV blood velocimeters, with extremely small measuring volumes, were developed for the measurement of blood flows in humans and small animals.
9.Underwater FM Ultrasonic Homing System
As part of the development of an underwater oil production system, carried out under the auspices of a Japanese Government large scale research project, a system which uses frequency modulated ultrasound for the positioning and guidance of an underwater vehicle was developed. Limitations on the precision of tracking and ranging measurements using this system were analyzed theoretically, and then studied experimentally in air, and anechoic water tank, and the sea. Practical demonstrations showed that the system could be used successfully in the underwater environment.
10.Vibration-free Forge Hammer
The vibration generated by forge hammers is a serious problem, and work at MEL has included the development of hammers which are vibration free. In this type of hammer, the vibration caused by impact is canceled by a control force produced by an actuator attached to the hammer anvil. It was found that productivity could be doubled by using this technique because of the counter hammering mechanism that occurs as a result.
11.Friction/Wear Testers
The solution of tribological problem is essential for the trouble-free operation of any machine. There is a need for laboratory friction/wear testing methods, to aid in the selection of suitable lubricants and tribomaterials. To meet this need, a multichannel wear tester, and a reciprocating friction machine with variable dynamic stiffness were developed at MEL, and have been used in industries.
