Currently the underlying necessities for predictability, producibility and productivity remain big issues in ultraprecision machining of miniature/microproducts. The demand on rapid and economic fabrication of miniature/microproducts with complex shapes has also made new challenges for ultraprecision machine tool design. In this paper the design for an ultraprecision machine tool is introduced by describing its key machine elements and machine tool design procedures. The focus is on the review and assessment of the state-of-the-art ultraprecision machining tools. It also illustrates the application promise of miniature/microproducts. The trends on machine tool development, tooling, workpiece material and machining processes are pointed out.

This paper initially investigates the rate of development and subsequent implementation of structured quality management systems (e.g. ISO 9000, EFQM, etc.) within small- to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in South Wales. While the effective implementation of quality systems in SMEs is seen as a major priority to the supply chain and quality professionals alike [1], the implementation of formal quality systems within SMEs in South Wales is still very low. The common reasons of high cost, high effort and limited effectiveness are given by SMEs for the poor implementation rate, but a wider set of arguments that go beyond these issues are presented. This naturally raises the question as to whether it is at all possible to implement such formal systems within SMEs, or whether there is a need to develop an effective model specifically for small-to-medium manufacturing enterprises. The findings from a survey of some 500 manufacturing-based SMEs in South Wales are used alongside comparative studies conducted by academics in the United States, Sweden, Australia and New Zealand into SME activities in order to provide a broader explanation for the poor implementation level of quality management systems. The paper then goes on to developing a conceptual framework for the development of a specific SME quality model.

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Cutting trials reveal that a measure of cutter runout is always unavoidable in peripheral milling. This paper improves and extends the dynamic cutting force model of peripheral milling based on the theoretical analytical model presented in Part I [1], by taking into account the influence of the cutter run-out on the undeformed chip thickness. A set of slot milling tests with a single-fluted helical end-mill was carried out at different feed rates, while the 3D cutting force coefficients were calibrated using the averaged cutting forces. The measured and predicted cutting forces were compared using the experimentally identified force coefficients. The results indicate that the model provides a good prediction when the feed rate is limited to a specified interval, and the recorded cutting force curves give a different trend compared to other published results [8]. Subsequently, a series of peripheral milling tests with different helical end-mill were performed at different cutting parameters to validate the proposed dynamic cutting force model, and the cutting conditions were simulated and compared with the experimental results. The result demonstrates that only when the vibration between the cutter and workpiece is faint, the predicted and measured cutting forces are in good agreement.