Advances in Digital Manufacturing and Nano Fabrication

A special issue of Micromachines (ISSN 2072-666X). This special issue belongs to the section "D:Materials and Processing".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2025 | Viewed by 2823

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
State Key Laboratory of Robotics and System, School of Mechatronics Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150001, China
Interests: precision/ultra-precision processing technology; optical (sub)surface defect detection and integrity evaluation; laser-induced damage mechanism and precision mitigation
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Guest Editor
School of Mechanical Science & Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, China
Interests: ultra-precision machining of difficult-to-machine materials; elliptical vibration diamond cutting and ultra-precision micro-manufacturing of functional micro–nano structures
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Bath, Bath BA2 7AY, UK
Interests: robotic manufacturing processes; ultra-precision and precision machining; subtractive/additive manufacturing processes; surface integrity; digital twin and machine learning
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Digital manufacturing and nano fabrication are reshaping the landscape of modern engineering, driving transformative innovations across industries. At the heart of these advancements lies precision manufacturing, a critical enabler of ultra-fine tolerances, superior surface finishes, and high-performance component production. This Special Issue seeks to highlight the latest research in digital manufacturing, nano fabrication, and precision machining, offering insights into cutting-edge techniques and their practical applications.

The topics covered in this Special Issue include, but are not limited to, advancements in digital twin-driven manufacturing systems, the integration of artificial intelligence and machine learning in machining processes, novel additive and subtractive manufacturing techniques, and the development of advanced materials and tooling for nano fabrication. Furthermore, this Special Issue welcomes research addressing the challenges of sustainability, energy efficiency, and automation, offering innovative solutions that bridge fundamental research and industrial needs.

We encourage the submission of high-quality original research articles, comprehensive reviews, and impactful case studies that advance the state of the art in digital manufacturing and precision machining. This collection of papers aims to serve as a valuable resource for researchers, engineers, and professionals seeking to drive innovation and excellence in these transformative fields.

Prof. Dr. Jian Cheng
Prof. Dr. Jianguo Zhang
Dr. Qi Liu
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Micromachines is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2100 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • digital manufacturing
  • smart manufacturing
  • nano fabrication
  • ultra-precision/precision machining
  • digital twin
  • advanced manufacturing processes
  • additive manufacturing
  • subtractive manufacturing
  • nano-scale machining
  • artificial intelligence in manufacturing
  • sustainable manufacturing

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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19 pages, 6895 KiB  
Article
A Hybrid GRA-TOPSIS-RFR Optimization Approach for Minimizing Burrs in Micro-Milling of Ti-6Al-4V Alloys
by Rongkai Tan, Abhilash Puthanveettil Madathil, Qi Liu, Jian Cheng and Fengtao Lin
Micromachines 2025, 16(4), 464; https://doi.org/10.3390/mi16040464 - 14 Apr 2025
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Abstract
Micro-milling is increasingly recognized as a crucial technique for machining intricate and miniature 3D aerospace components, particularly those fabricated from difficult-to-cut Ti-6Al-4V alloys. However, its practical applications are hindered by significant challenges, particularly the unavoidable generation of burrs, which complicate subsequent finishing processes [...] Read more.
Micro-milling is increasingly recognized as a crucial technique for machining intricate and miniature 3D aerospace components, particularly those fabricated from difficult-to-cut Ti-6Al-4V alloys. However, its practical applications are hindered by significant challenges, particularly the unavoidable generation of burrs, which complicate subsequent finishing processes and adversely affect overall part quality. To optimize the burr formation in the micro-milling of Ti-6Al-4V alloys, this study proposes a novel hybrid-ranking optimization algorithm that integrates Grey Relational Analysis (GRA) with the Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS). This approach innovatively combines GRA and TOPSIS with a random forest regression (RFR) model, facilitating the exploration of nonlinear and complex relationships between input parameters and machining outcomes. Specifically, the effects of spindle speed, depth of cut, and feed rate per tooth on surface roughness and burr width generated during both down-milling and up-milling processes were systematically investigated using the proposed methodology. The results reveal that the depth of cut is the most influential factor affecting surface roughness, while feed rate per tooth plays a critical role in controlling burr formation. Moreover, the GRA-TOPSIS-RFR method significantly outperforms existing optimization and prediction models, with the integration of the RFR model enhancing prediction accuracy by 42.6% compared to traditional linear regression approaches. The validation experimental results agree well with the GRA-TOPSIS-RFR-optimized outcomes. This research provides valuable insights into optimizing the micro-milling process of titanium components, ultimately contributing to improved quality, performance, and service life across various aerospace applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Digital Manufacturing and Nano Fabrication)
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20 pages, 24743 KiB  
Article
Investigation of Chip Morphology in Elliptical Vibration Micro-Turning of Silk Fibroin
by Zhengjian Wang, Xichun Luo, Jining Sun, Wenkun Xie, Yinchuan Piao, Yonghang Jiang and Xiuyuan Chen
Micromachines 2025, 16(1), 110; https://doi.org/10.3390/mi16010110 - 19 Jan 2025
Viewed by 1072
Abstract
Silk fibroin, known for its biocompatibility and biodegradability, holds significant promise for biomedical applications, particularly in drug delivery systems. The precise fabrication of silk fibroin particles, specifically those ranging from tens of nanometres to hundreds of microns, is critical for these uses. This [...] Read more.
Silk fibroin, known for its biocompatibility and biodegradability, holds significant promise for biomedical applications, particularly in drug delivery systems. The precise fabrication of silk fibroin particles, specifically those ranging from tens of nanometres to hundreds of microns, is critical for these uses. This study introduces elliptical vibration micro-turning as a method for producing silk fibroin particles in the form of cutting chips to serve as carriers for drug delivery systems. A hybrid finite element and smoothed particle hydrodynamics (FE-SPH) model was used to investigate how vibration parameters, such as frequency and amplitude, influence chip formation and morphology. This research is essential for determining the size and shape of silk fibroin particles, which are crucial for their effectiveness in drug delivery systems. The results demonstrate the superior capability of elliptical vibration micro-turning for producing shorter, spiral-shaped chips in the size range of tens of microns, in contrast to the long, continuous chips with zig-zag folds and segmented edges generated by conventional micro-turning. The unique zig-zag shapes result from the interplay between the high flexibility and hierarchical structure of silk fibroin and the controlled cutting environment provided by the diamond tool. Additionally, higher vibration frequencies and lower vertical amplitudes promote chip curling, facilitate breakage, and improve chip control, while reducing cutting forces. Experimental trials further validate the accuracy of the hybrid model. This study represents a significant advancement in the processing of silk fibroin film, offering a complementary approach to fabricating short, spiral-shaped silk fibroin particles with a high surface-area-to-volume ratio compared to traditional spheroids, which holds great potential for enhancing drug-loading efficiency in high-precision drug delivery systems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Digital Manufacturing and Nano Fabrication)
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Review

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18 pages, 22335 KiB  
Review
Research Progress on Laser-Assisted Precision Machining Technology
by Qimeng Liu, Jie Liu, Zhe Ming, Bo Cui and Jian Wang
Micromachines 2025, 16(2), 173; https://doi.org/10.3390/mi16020173 - 31 Jan 2025
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Abstract
As a revolutionary advanced manufacturing technology, the core of laser-assisted machining technology lies in the innovation of traditional machining technology. It uses a laser to precisely modify the surface of the workpiece material through clever integration. This process can lead to significant changes [...] Read more.
As a revolutionary advanced manufacturing technology, the core of laser-assisted machining technology lies in the innovation of traditional machining technology. It uses a laser to precisely modify the surface of the workpiece material through clever integration. This process can lead to significant changes in the microstructure, thermodynamic properties, and physical properties of the workpiece’s cutting layer, greatly facilitating the removal of material by the cutting tool. Especially for difficult-to-process materials, this technology can effectively solve the processing problems they face. This not only improves the processing accuracy, but also ensures the processing quality, making it possible to process difficult-to-process materials with high precision and high quality. This article comprehensively summarizes the latest research progress in laser-assisted precision machining technology and deeply summarizes the specific mechanism of laser-assisted machining technology on the surface of workpiece materials. The influence of laser-assisted machining technology on the cutting characteristics of machining materials is elaborated in detail, providing a theoretical basis for the application of this technology. Finally, the future development direction of laser-assisted machining technology is prospected. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Digital Manufacturing and Nano Fabrication)
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