This study focused on optimizing retention geometries for automotive interior door panel assemblies using ultrasonic welding, a preferred technique due to its strength and clean aesthetic appearance. The research aimed to resolve the conflict between tight spatial constraints and the need to maintain structural integrity during side-impact collisions. Using a Design of Experiments approach based on the Taguchi L8 method, four key parameters were evaluated: height, length, number of reinforcements, and component clearance. Models designed in the computer and developed in Siemens NX were validated through finite element analysis to quantify stiffness, maximum retention force, and stress concentration using different ANSYS software. The optimized configuration – featuring a 10 mm height, 15.5 mm length, three reinforcements, and 0.5 mm clearance – increased strength by 33.8% (234.2 N vs. the traditional 175 N design) while reducing the required manufacturing area by 74%.

Lead-free piezoelectric powders (K_0.44Na_0.52Li_0.04)(Nb_0.82Ta_0.10Sb_0.04)O₃ were obtained by conventional and microwave-assisted reactive heating. Firstly, the synthesis of the material was carried out following the mixed oxide route and employing both traditional methods and microwave technology. Thermogravimetry, X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy and electrical properties analyses were evaluated. X-ray diffraction of the powders calcined by the microwave process shows the formation of perovskite structure with orthorhombic geometry, but it is possible to observe the presence of other phases. The presence of the secondary phases found can have a great influence on the heating rate during the synthesis on which the kinetics of the reaction of formation of the piezoelectric compound depend. The calcined powder was sintered at different temperatures by conventional and non-conventional processes. The microstructure of the ceramics sintered by microwave at 1050 °C for 10 min shows perovskite cubes with regular geometry, of size close to 2–5 µm. However, the observed porosity (~8%), the presence of liquid phase and secondary phases in the microstructure of the microwave sintered materials lead to a decrease of the piezoelectric constant. The highest d₃₃ value of 146 pC/N was obtained for samples obtained by conventional at 1100 °C 2 h compared to samples sintered by microwave at 1050 °C 10 min (~15 pC/N).

Plastic injection molding is a widely used manufacturing process for producing plastic components. However, achieving optimal process stability and part quality remains a persistent challenge due to limited real-time feedback during production. The main objective of this study is to present a method to overcome this limitation by integrating in-mold cavity pressure sensors with an Iterative Learning Control (ILC) strategy to optimize key processing parameters autonomously. The ILC methodology established a closed-loop system; over successive production cycles, cavity pressure profiles were analyzed to automatically adjust the holding pressure, holding time, and switchover point. Each iteration refined the parameters based on sensor data, creating a learning-based optimization loop that accelerated the convergence to optimal settings. The methodology was validated by producing an automotive plastic component. The results demonstrate a 100% success rate in correcting ten critical dimensional errors, fulfilling all part tolerances. Additionally, the overall cycle time decreased by 8%, from 55.0 to 50.6 s. Other findings included updates to key process molding parameters, such as reducing holding pressure from 250 to 230 bar and holding time from 18 to 12 s, as well as increasing the switchover point from 41 to 72 mm. This research confirms that combining real-time cavity pressure monitoring with ILC offers a strong, data-driven framework for significantly improving quality, efficiency, and process stability in injection molding.

The activities of carved Quarry extraction generate problems of landscape pollution such is the case of solid waste discharged into open land dumps in central Mexico. This article presents the technological application of this solid waste in a new polymeric material with properties similar to those of a traditional mortar. It is concluded that the polymeric material uses low amounts of cement with respect to the traditional mortar, and it is elaborated with the recycled quarry as they are presented in its granulometry. The polymer used favored a low water/cement ratio (0.3) which did not allow to decrease resistance due to the fine nature of the materials (residues and cement) in addition to maintaining the workability of the material. The quarry residue was classified as silt with low plasticity and was characterized by X‐ray diffraction and Fluorescence to identify 76% of SiO₂, which is why it was used as a stone aggregate even though the fines content was approximately 93%. The maximum compression resistance obtained at 28 days were 8 Mpa with the polymer/solid ratios of 0.10, water/solids of 0.30, and quarry/solids of 0.67. Linear equations were analyzed for more representative values with R squared adjustment.