The production technology in Ph.D study involves foundry and machining technologies, quality management and metrology, forming technology, welding and surface treatment technologies, inclusive of automation of the preparation of production as well as automation of manufacturing processes employing the above technologies. During their studies the students will get a profound knowledge of applied methematics, physical metalurgy, theory of experiments and optimization of technological processes in particular together with other theoretical and practical information closely related to the chosen field.

prof. Ing. Ladislav Zemčík, CSc.

1. Analysis of the cutting process with the explicit FEM use.

   Long-time trends in theory of cutting includes the explicit FEM use for simulation of cutting processes from many reasons - analyses of chip production, studies of integrity of machined surfaces, prediction of catastrophic tool wear, resp. finding of its stress risers. This research work will extend the successful series of origin scientific papers (CIRP), which have been focused on orthogonal turning and face milling and will be enrich other technologies - drilling and reaming namely. Those technologies are widely used in practise and studied in our IMT.

   Tutor: Zouhar Jan, Ing., Ph.D.

2. Employing thermal analysis in the prediction of microstructure and determining the criteria of quality in cast iron

   Breakdown of thermal analysis. Defining potential criteria for the evaluation of quality in grey cast irons - metallurgical quality parameter, recalescence, oxidation factor, Alpha parameter. Analysis of criteria in connection with mechanical properties, microstructure and technological properties.

   Tutor: Čech Jaroslav, prof. Ing., CSc.

3. Machining of bonesurfaces for knee implants with multiaxis robot use.

   Increasing evidence suggests performing total knee arthroplasty using computer navigation that can lead to more accurate surgical positioning of implants and knee alignment compared to a conventional operating technique. The use of robotic machining technologies can launch this accuracy one level further because it uses navigation and machining in combination with ultimate mechanical CNC precision, which could eliminate or reduce the inevitable margin of error during mechanical preparation of the bony cuts of total knee arthroplasty by the surgeon. The precision of pre-worked implant positioning and alignment can be expected within the 1° error of neutral alignment in all three planes. A reduction of operating time required for the robotic implantation, the technical complexity of the system, and the extremely high operational costs and better comfort of surgeons are directing the research to advanced machining robotic systems. The main goal of the work is work-out of the advanced CNC algorithms for inversion machining of bone tissues according to the real implant cavities.

   Tutor: Píška Miroslav, prof. Ing., CSc.

4. Machining of nickel super-alloys for high-tech applications

   An increasing number of nickel based super-alloys for applications in transport techniques (aeronautics and space industry) can be seen today. Castings seem to be frequently used. The blanks are roughed with conventional technologies and grinding is used for higher quality and precision of workpieces. Nevertheless, this production is accompanied with many problems stemming from worse machinability of the alloys, higher numbers of structural defects and significant heterogeneity of the structures. The grain size (dendrites) varies and it results in a e.g. change of mechanical properties and workability deterioration. This work will be focused on the fundamental recommendations for machining of such materials with conventional technologies and also for the functional surfaces, finished by grinding techologies mostly.

   Tutor: Píška Miroslav, prof. Ing., CSc.

5. Machining of titanium alloys for surgical and orthopedic implants

   A patent pending for a novel design of knee implant (that had been invented at IMT FME BUT) is currently running. A very perspective design and functional properties can be expected. The implant gathers applications of several production technologies. However, all of them results in finishing machining. This work will be focused on optimization of manufacturing production and use of several semi-product technologies as rapid prototyping, casting and machining of wrought blank (in the form of rods and forging) with respect to time consumption and costs. The main part will be devoted to algorithms for parameterized 5-axis machining of titanium alloys mainly, suitable for such applications.

   Tutor: Píška Miroslav, prof. Ing., CSc.

6. Milling of shaped surfaces produced on CNC machine tools

   Permanent pressure on manufacturing expenses and reduction of manufacturing costs and global economy trends lead to modern technologies and tools using HSC (High Speed Cutting), HFC (High Feed Cutting) and HPC (High Performance Cutting). The technologies meet the criteria and reduction of cooling fluid in production. The main subject of the research work will be a study of force loading and thermal impact on cutting tools, work-pieces and machine parts, including of a study analysing the wear of cutting tools, integrity of machined surfaces and temperature deformations of machine parts.

   Tutor: Polzer Aleš, Ing., Ph.D.

7. Optimisation of implant insertion technology

   Recently, many research works (WASSENAAR, E.B., FRANSSEN, B.B.G.M., VAN EGMOND, D. B SCHUURMAN, F. and KON, M.) are dealing with an idea of hammering of so-called Kirschner wires instead of standard way of drilling. Despite the fact that our research workplace has wide and positive experience with drilling (high precision of aiming, roundness and cylindricity of the hole as supportive place, absence of the radial cracks, no extensive research to the hammering has been verified and evaluated. Looking to the frequent use of the K-wires in surgery and orthopaedics that topic is highly interesting to study.

   Tutor: Píška Miroslav, prof. Ing., CSc.

8. Optimization of wax pattern manufacture from the point of view of maximum final investment casting quality

   The quality of wax pattern is the key factor for manufacturing of perfect casting by the lost wax process. The most important factor to achieve this goal is to optimize the filling of the die cavity by wax. Here there is a possibility to use numerical simulation, nevertheless it is of vital importance to obtain neccessary database first and then also to modify the used software.

   Tutor: Horáček Milan, prof. Ing., CSc.

9. Segregation in heavy steel castings

   Segregations in heavy steel castings cause a whole number of defects that are shown up when the casting is finalized. Segregations significantly influence the reliability of machines and engineering sets containing heavy castings. Possible failures of those castings usually result in considerable economic losses. Theoretical bases of macrosegregation formation don’t make possible to model the formation of macrosegregations up to now. The influence of macrosegregations on material properties in heavy castings isn’t sufficiently described too.

   Tutor: Šenberger Jaroslav, doc. Ing., CSc.

10. Study of foundry defects in heavy castings

    In heavy castings, particularly in steel ones, the defects occur that are connected with low cooling rate and reoxidation processes. The work should be aimed at classification of forming defects, determination of main factors influencing the defects formation, and the study of causes and mechanisms of these defects formation.

    Tutor: Šenberger Jaroslav, doc. Ing., CSc.

11. Study of the efefects of deformation rate and temperature parameeters on formability of Al alloys.

    On selected Al alloys, which are used in the manufacture of components for the chemical, aircraft, and nuclear power industries, the non-uniformities of the distribution of deformations and structural changes shall be assessed, and the effect of increased temperatures and deformation rates on the formability of these alloys shall be evaluated. Constitutive equations for the stress-strain curves will be written as materials models to be used in the calculation models of current software programs

    Tutor: Forejt Milan, prof. Ing., CSc.

12. The limiting strain of carbon steels in cold bulk forming.

    The selected low-carbon steels, which are used for forming the coupling parts volume and machine parts, to assess their plastic and structural changes at high deformations and limit the influence of strain rate. Create a constitutive equation for stress-deformation curves with the limiting conditions limit deformation.

    Tutor: Forejt Milan, prof. Ing., CSc.

13. Welding of special steels by fibre laser.

    The study of fibre laser possibilities while special steels welding, when the specific heat has dominantly influence for grain size, thereby mechanical properties too. The work wil be realized by cooperation whith ÚPTAVČR (RNDr. Libor Mrňa, Ph.D)

    Tutor: Daněk Ladislav, doc. Ing., CSc.