Thrust Areas of the Center
The center conducts industry research through projects that fall under the following thrust areas:
- Precision Finishing & Metrology
- Industry 4.0
- Modeling
Precision Finishing & Metrology
The level of precision required in manufacturing mechanical parts is increasing, which in turn requires further development of precision finishing technologies. Several new and advanced materials are being developed by researchers, while the machining processes for most of these materials are unknown. A large group of materials still requires the development of efficient machining processes. Similarly, technology in metrology and quality control is growing, especially for precision manufacturing. New techniques and test apparatus as well as software packages for analysis are being developed. Our expertise helps the industry address new challenges in precision finishing and metrology technologies. We offer the following capabilities for research and workforce development:
- Grinding
- Hard machining
- Superfinishing
- Precision Metrology
- Quality Control
- Development of Test Apparatus
- Materials and parts characterizations
Industry 4.0
Industry 4.0, The Fourth Industrial Revolution, is rapidly changing the manufacturing industry due to improvements in artificial intelligence (AI), internet, wireless, cloud, machine learning (ML), cybersecurity, sensor, and smart technologies/infrastructures. Recognition and implementation of the necessary changes for manufacturing companies to move toward Industry 4.0 require research and workforce development in this field. Our expertise helps the manufacturing industry to develop or adopt these modern technologies. We offer the following capabilities for research and workforce development:
- Smart Factory
- Artificial Intelligence (AI)
- Machine Learning (ML)
- Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT)
- Machine-to-Machine Communication (M2M)
- Human Machine Interface
- Smart sensors
- Metrology 4.0
- Robotics
- Automation and control
- Cybersecurity
Modeling
Our expertise in modeling and computer simulation helps manufacturers to reduce the cost and time of research. Our modeling capabilities in composite structures, fatigue and fracture, heat transfer, fluid mechanics, transport phenomena, machining processes, vibration, and so forth can be applied to analyze manufacturing materials, parts, and systems. We offer the following modeling capabilities for research and workforce development:
- Continuum-level Modeling
- Atomistic-level Modeling
- Multiscale and Multiphysics Modeling
- Machine Learning Based Modeling
- CNC, Robot, PLC, and HMI Programming
- Systems Engineering Modeling (Complex System Modeling, Discrete-Event Simulation, System Design, System Control, “Lean”, Six Sigma)
- Supply Chain Modeling (Capture-Recapture Model, Game Theory)