Advanced Manufacturing and Precision Machining

1. Introduction

The field of advanced manufacturing represents a core technological domain vital for the evolution of modern manufacturing industries, acting as a critical driver for industrial transformation and the enhancement of international competitiveness. Building upon traditional manufacturing techniques, it deeply integrates interdisciplinary technologies such as electronic information, computer science, materials engineering, and intelligent control. By employing efficient, flexible, energy-saving, and environmentally friendly production methods, advanced manufacturing substantially improves the precision and efficiency of manufacturing systems. The rapid growth of this field not only reflects continuous innovation in manufacturing technologies but also signals major directions for the future development of the manufacturing industry. As a crucial component of advanced manufacturing, precision machining provides indispensable support for the production of critical components such as precision screws, gears, worm gears, guides, and bearings, which are extensively used in high-tech industries like aerospace [1,2], medical devices [3,4], and semiconductors [5,6]. With machining precision ranging from 10 to 0.1 μm and surface roughness below 0.1 μm, advancements in precision machining technologies significantly enhance the manufacturing precision and efficiency of complex components. Furthermore, these advancements bolster the performance stability and service life of critical parts, offering essential technical support for the safe and efficient operation of major devices and equipment.

The fields of advanced manufacturing and precision machining continue to face numerous challenges. On one hand, balancing manufacturing precision with efficiency remains a key technical hurdle. As demand for high-performance components grows, extreme manufacturing conditions, such as micro/nano machining and ultra-precision processing scenarios [7,8], place new demands on process control technologies [9], error compensation techniques [10], and equipment performance. Simultaneously, global manufacturing is undergoing a rapid transition toward greener, smarter, and more sustainable practices. Within this context, advanced manufacturing and precision machining, as core technologies of the industry, shoulder the dual mission of driving manufacturing transformation. This includes improving resource utilization, reducing energy consumption and carbon emissions, and meeting the dual requirements of flexibility and precision in intelligent manufacturing. Achieving a digital and intelligent upgrade across the entire process—from design to production—requires not only the collaborative optimization of high-performance equipment and advanced processes [11,12] but also the integration of key technologies, such as intelligent sensing, data-driven decision-making, and adaptive control [13,14,15]. As research in this field deepens, the developmental trajectory of advanced manufacturing and precision machining is becoming increasingly evident. This trajectory involves addressing current technological bottlenecks through interdisciplinary integration, theoretical innovation, and technological convergence [16], achieving efficient manufacturing processes driven by demand while satisfying the precision requirements of complex components [17], and establishing environmentally friendly and resource-efficient manufacturing models with green manufacturing as the ultimate goal [18]. Research advancements in advanced manufacturing and precision machining will significantly drive technological progress in this domain, delivering substantial economic and social value to global manufacturing and providing critical support to meet complex industrial demands.

In the future, the precision and efficiency of manufacturing will continue to advance, with higher-level application scenarios and innovative development models emerging through deeper integration with intelligent manufacturing systems. The transformation and progression of these fields will propel the manufacturing industry toward high-end, digital, and sustainable practices, further solidifying its role as a cornerstone of social and economic development.

2. An Overview of the Published Articles

In recent years, significant progress has been made in the fields of advanced manufacturing and precision machining, with innovative research focusing on the development of novel tools, the design of micro-structured cutting tools, process optimization, and intelligent control systems. These advancements have further driven the evolution of high-performance, high-precision manufacturing technologies, offering crucial technological support to meet the demands of complex machining.

To meet the high-precision machining requirements of hard and brittle materials such as single-crystal silicon, researchers have developed a novel micro-grinding tool based on mechano-chemical action, achieving efficient and low-damage machining results. Simulation and experimental studies revealed that a grinding tool composed of 25% cerium oxide abrasive and calcium oxide additives significantly activated solid–solid phase chemical reactions at the tool interface through the synergistic effects of mechanical force and grinding temperature. The softening reaction products generated by this chemical interaction were removed via mechanical friction between the abrasive particles and the silicon wafer surface, enabling low-damage processing. Machining test results demonstrated that the surface roughness of single-crystal silicon reached Ra 1.332 nm using the mechano-chemical grinding tool, a substantial improvement compared to the Ra 96.363 nm achieved with traditional diamond abrasives. Additionally, the tool exhibited significant advantages in material removal efficiency, greatly enhancing the material removal rate while reducing machining damage. This research offers a promising solution for the high-precision, high-surface-quality manufacturing of semiconductors and optical components, marking a significant advancement in machining technologies for hard and brittle materials [19].

Another innovative study focused on the efficient machining of the nickel-based superalloy GH4169, a material well-known for its machining challenges. Researchers developed micro-structured cutting tools by incorporating surface features such as micro-pits, micro-grooves, and elliptical textures, significantly enhancing cutting performance. Using finite element simulations and experimental analysis, the research systematically evaluated the effects of various micro-structure morphologies on the cutting process, examining their influence on friction, heat distribution, and stress during machining. The findings revealed that, compared to untextured tools, micro-structured tools demonstrated superior cutting performance, with reduced cutting temperatures and significantly lower friction coefficients. Moreover, these micro-structures improved the contact behavior between the tool and the chip, enhancing heat dissipation during machining and further improving machining quality. This research provides valuable technical insights into the machining of complex aerospace components and establishes a clear direction for the development of high-performance cutting tools tailored for difficult-to-cut materials [20].

Researchers have also explored advancements in the precision machining of optical components. To meet the high-precision polishing requirements of optical elements, a robust model predictive control (RMPC) system was developed, utilizing a ring-pendulum double-sided polisher. By optimizing the dynamic performance of the radial-feed system, this approach enhanced the stability and precision of the polishing process. The system’s effectiveness was validated through simulations and experiments. The experimental results demonstrated that the RMPC system effectively suppressed disturbances in the radial-feed system, significantly improving machining precision. Specifically, the peak-to-valley (PV) error of the polished optical elements decreased from 1.49 λ PV to 0.99 λ PV, while the root mean square (RMS) error was reduced from 0.257 λ RMS to 0.163 λ RMS. Additionally, the method optimized polishing efficiency, offering a reliable solution for the mass production of large-aperture optical components. The proposed control strategy substantially enhances polishing precision and dynamic stability, providing both theoretical and technical support for the efficient machining of optical elements. This research also advances optical polishing processes toward greater intelligence and reliability [21].

In addition to the aforementioned research, published studies also delve into technologies such as error detection and real-time compensation, novel material processing, and flexible job shop scheduling, underscoring the pivotal role of advanced manufacturing and precision machining in meeting the complex demands of modern industry. These advancements are driving technological breakthroughs, laying a solid foundation for the realization of an efficient, low-energy, and sustainable modern manufacturing system. Moreover, these innovations are paving new pathways for the production of high-precision, high-value components, poised to profoundly influence technological upgrades and industrial transformation in the future of manufacturing.

3. Conclusions

Through in-depth exploration of key technologies in advanced manufacturing and precision machining—such as novel tool development, micro-structured cutting tool design, process optimization, and intelligent control systems—relevant research has offered new insights and solutions that drive the field forward. These innovations have resulted in notable improvements in manufacturing efficiency, precision, and system stability. They have also laid a strong foundation for addressing complex manufacturing challenges while guiding the sustainable and reliable development of future manufacturing processes. In summary, the key technological advancements in this domain are propelling the green, intelligent, and sustainable evolution of advanced manufacturing and precision machining. These efforts contribute to building a more efficient, low-energy, and environmentally friendly modern manufacturing system while providing essential technical support for diverse industrial applications.