This study investigates the effectiveness of trochoidal (adaptive) milling in machining Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer (GFRP), emphasizing its potential advantages over conventional milling. Six coated solid carbide end mills, each with distinct geometries, were evaluated under identical conditions to assess the cutting forces, surface quality, dimensional accuracy, burr formation, chip size distribution, and tool wear. Trochoidal milling demonstrated shorter cycle times—up to 23% faster—and higher material removal rates (MRRs), while conventional milling provided superior dimensional control and smoother surfaces in certain fiber-sensitive regions. A four-tooth cutter with a low helix angle (10°) and aluminum-oxide coating delivered the best overall performance, balancing minimal tool wear with high-quality finishes (arithmetic mean roughness, Ra, as low as 1.36 μm). The results indicate that although conventional milling can exhibit a 25%-lower RMS cutting force, its peak forces and extended machining times may limit the throughput. Conversely, trochoidal milling, when coupled with an appropriately robust tool, effectively manages the cutting forces, improves the surface quality, and reduces the machining time. Most chips produced were less than 11 μm in size, highlighting the need for suitable dust extraction. Notably, a hybrid approach—trochoidal roughing followed by conventional finishing—offers a promising method for achieving both efficient material removal and enhanced dimensional accuracy in GFRP components.

The current availability of powerful computing technologies enables using of complex computational methods. One of such complex method is also the self-organizing migrating algorithm (SOMA). This algorithm can be used for solving of various optimization problems. It may be used even for such complex task, as the non-linear process control is. In this paper, the capability of using SOMA algorithm for the model predictive control (MPC) of semi-batch chemical reactor is studied. The MPC controller including self-organizing migrating algorithm (SOMA) is used for the optimization of the control sequence. The reactor itself is used in chromium recycling process in leather industry.

The aim of this paper is to evaluate the usability of the self-organizing migrating algorithm (SOMA) in a nonlinear system predictive control area. The model predictive control is based on an objective function minimization. Two approaches to model predictive control applied on a nonlinear system are studied here. Firstly, the SOMA was used to minimize the objective function, secondly, the fmicon function included in the MATLAB optimization toolbox was used for the same. The nonlinear system simulated here is an exothermic semi-batch reactor mathematical model based on a real chemical exothermic process. Also the input data used here to simulate the process were obtained from the same real process. Results obtained by the simulation means were than evaluated using suitable criterion which was defined for that purpose and discussed.

An alternative method of determining exothermic reactor model parameters which include first order reaction rate constant is described in this paper. The method is based on known in reactor temperature development and is suitable for processes with changing quality of input substances. This method allows us to evaluate the reaction substances composition change and is also capable of the reaction rate constant (parameters of the Arrhenius equation) determination. Method can be used in exothermic batch or semi- batch reactors running processes based on the first order reaction. An example of such process is given here and the problem is shown on its mathematical model with the help of simulations.

All machines rely on some source of energy and they are very often supported by batteries. Despite the newly developed Lithium-based batteries there is still a great number of applications where the lead acid batteries prevail. Moreover, according to some studies their usage will not drop significantly in the near future and may even grow. Therefore, there is and will be a demand for devices that would prolong their life-time and in this way contribute to sustainable materials, products and processes globally. This contribution presents one such device developed at the Department of Process Control, Faculty of Applied Informatics, Tomas Bata University in Zlín, Czech Republic. It not only enables the complete care of lead acid batteries, including their capacity recovery, but it offers other functionalities as well. As our results indicate so far, the lost lead acid batteries capacity can be significantly recovered using this device and this recovered capacity can be also verified by the same device. The reached recovery can be even over 40 percent. This microcomputer-driven device is already patented and it is in the process of commercialization, however, its further development is not closed yet and other features, discussed in this paper, could be added in the close future by our team.

Carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) components commonly require milling to achieve final dimensional accuracy and surface integrity, yet tool selection remains a trade-off between surface quality, process load, and cost. This study compared two industrial tool concepts for CFRP side milling under matched cutting conditions: a WC-Co compression-type end mill and a PCD end mill. A two-factor central composite design with 13 parameter sets was used, and tool effects were evaluated through paired differences in Ra_mean, Rz_mean, and F_xy,RMS. The PCD tool significantly improved surface quality, with mean paired differences of −2.00 µm for Ra_mean and −6.67 µm for Rz_mean, while increasing F_xy,RMS by 14.86 N relative to WC-Co. Response-surface analysis showed that the roughness advantage of PCD was broadly stable across the investigated process window, whereas the force penalty was nonlinear and was best described by a second-order CCD model (R² = 0.820, model p = 0.015), with a significant quadratic cutting-speed term. Scenario-based decision analysis further showed that PCD was preferred in 12 of 13 DOE points under quality-driven weighting, whereas WC-Co was preferred in all 13 points under cost-driven weighting. The results indicate that PCD is the preferred quality-oriented solution for CFRP side milling, while WC-Co remains advantageous when lower load or lower cost is prioritized.