Mini Special Issue on Machining of Deformable Parts

Abstract

The machining of deformable parts is both an old and new problem. Because the standard procedures for machining operations implicitly assume a rigid workpiece and ideal chip removal, workpiece deformation has been considered a disturbance in machining operations. Due to the increasing need for lightweight and compact products, deformable parts, such as thin-structured parts and soft materials, are now widely utilized. For the effective and accurate production of deformable parts, die-less direct machining of deformable parts is a promising approach because of its applicability to various materials and shapes. This technical trend has increased the attentions given to the machining of deformable parts. This special issue addresses advanced research done on the machining of deformable parts. This covers investigations into non-metallic parts machining, the estimation of fixed-parts deformation, and deformation analyses for thin-structured parts. We would like to express our sincere appreciation to the authors and reviewers, whose invaluable efforts have made the publication of this special issue possible. We hope that this special issue will trigger further research on the machining of deformable parts, leading to advances.