This study investigated the influence of the cutting feed rate on the hardness and microstructure of copper machined using a plasma arc (PA) to examine the resulting changes and their impact on the quality of the cut surface. Various constant cutting feed rates and amperage values were used as parameters to measure the cutting performance. Pre- and post-cut hardness measurements and scanning electron microscope (SEM) images were taken. The hardness of the copper surface was the same before and after plasma arc cutting (PAC). PAC did not affect the copper’s hardness or the microstructure of the thermally affected cutting zone. The copper from the cut surface was melted by the PA operation near the edge of the cutting surface with no change in the microstructure. SEM imaging of the cut confirmed this. Thus, the quality of the cutting surface was not affected. In addition, the microstructure of the copper’s thermally affected cutting zone did not alter the cutting surface’s quality. Hardness measurements post-cutting yielded 69.28, 71.65, 70.15, and 60.09 HB for four tests at 500 mm/min and 30 A. The lowest cutting width was 1.504 mm at 12,000 mm/min, and the surface roughness was 2.5 µm at 500 mm/min.

This study delves into crucial design considerations for residential product supplements, aiming for alignment with modern needs and evolving lifestyles. Given the central importance of housing to product designers, it's essential to develop complementary products satisfying individual and collective demands amidst cultural, technological, and environmental shifts. This research intends to pinpoint key design principles ensuring functionality, safety, and aesthetic harmony within residential settings. Employing a mixed-methods approach, the study integrates descriptive-analytical analysis with field observations to scrutinize user needs, material performance, and spatial adaptability. The findings underscore significance of the environmental compatibility, cultural and religious sensitivity, and judicious material selection. Suspended exterior elements, especially on wind-exposed facades like northeastern ones, require stable, non-moving systems using cylindrical or square metallic or non-metallic pipes for enhanced durability. Entrance supplements should feature simplicity and clear definition, while kitchen elements must utilize non-flammable, moisture-resistant, and easily maintained materials, avoiding wood or similarly flammable substances. Optimal distribution and product placement are vital for upholding safety and ease of movement. In conclusion, the study provides practical recommendations for sustainable, culturally attuned, and functional design innovations in residential product development, offering a framework for designers to craft spaces meeting contemporary demands while honoring local traditions and environmental conditions.

Laser welding is one of the most important permanent welding operations that is widely used, especially in metal products...

Plasma arc machining (PAM) has emerged as a cost-effective alternative to laser cutting forsheet-metal fabrication. However, thermo-fluid interactions during plasma cutting of ultra-thinbrass sheets remain insufficiently understood because of the material’s high thermal sensitivityand susceptibility to heat-induced damage. In particular, the combined effects of arc current andtraverse speed on kerf formation and surface integrity have not been systematically clarified forthin brass sections. Therefore, this study investigates the thermo-metallurgical behavior of 0.8mm brass sheets during plasma arc cutting using a Taguchi L16(4²) experimental design. Theinteraction between arc current and traverse speed was evaluated through kerf geometry, surfaceroughness, heat-affected zone (HAZ) evolution, microstructural changes, and hardnessdistribution to determine stable low-damage cutting conditions.The results showed that cutting performance is governed by the interaction between heat inputand melt-ejection stability. Higher arc current increased localized melting, resulting in greaterdross adhesion, kerf widening, and grain coarsening within the HAZ. Increasing traverse speedreduced thermal exposure and improved kerf quality; however, excessively high speeds slightlydegraded surface finish because of unstable molten-material evacuation. Microstructural analysisindicated that thermal accumulation controlled grain growth behavior, whereas hardnessremained nearly unchanged due to shallow thermal penetration in thin-sheet machining. Optimalcutting conditions were achieved at 30 A and 1500 cm/min, producing minimal kerf deteriorationand limited microstructural damage. These findings provide insight into heat-input control andmelt-flow stability during plasma cutting of thermally sensitive copper-based alloys.