MRI: Development of Rapid Manufacturing Equipment for Research, Training, and Education

这一重大研究仪器(MRI)奖为制造设备的开发提供资金，该设备将把基于激光和基于焊接的沉积工艺与多轴计算机数控加工相结合。具体地说，该合同用于购买自动焊枪换热器、两轴转台和基于PC的运动控制器。这些项目，再加上先进制造研究中心已有的硬件部件，如1千瓦功率的Nd：YAG激光器、四轴计算机数控加工中心、六轴机器人、两台送粉机和两台计算机控制的焊机，共同构成了能够制造出一种全新类别的整体式或功能梯度复合组件的多制造制造设备。该设备将能够制造具有复杂的内部和外部几何特征的部件，以及高尺寸精度和良好的表面质量。此外，该合同还支持开发一种信息系统，使该设备的所有相关部件之间的信息交换实现自动化和协调。该信息处理系统由立体数据交换模块、自适应切片模块、工艺规划模块、工艺传感与控制模块、焊枪、激光头和刀具路径规划自动生成模块等多个模块组成，将加强南方卫理公会大学先进制造研究中心在分层制造领域的研究、培训和教育能力。这种多部件制造系统将是一个无与伦比的“移动部件医院”的候选者，它将有助于加强美国的军事准备。通过该项目获得和开发的硬件和软件的可用性将为本科生和研究生以及来自当地行业的工程师提供实践经验和研究设施。由于该项目涉及非传统制造工艺、焊接、设计、计算机控制系统、接口、传感、信号处理、控制和软件开发等多个方面的工程科学和实践，学生将接触到相关的概念、原理、方法、软件和硬件。这将为解决更具挑战性的跨学科制造业发展问题提供动力。分层制造将成为南方卫理公会大学工程学院的一项主要研究方向。

This Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) award provides funding for the development of manufacturing equipment that will incorporate the laser-based and welding-based deposition processes with multi-axis computer numerical controlled machining. Specifically, this award funds the acquisition of an automatic welding torch changer, a two-axis rotary table, and a PC-based motion controller. These items, along with already existing hardware components at the Research Center for Advanced Manufacturing, such as: a Nd:YAG laser of 1 kW in power, a four-axis computer numerical controlled machining center, a six-axis robot, two powder feeders, and two computer controlled welding machines, together make multi-fabrication manufacturing equipment capable of building an entirely new class of components of monolithic or functionally graded composition. The equipment will be capable of fabricating parts that are characterized by complex internal and external geometrical features, as well as by high dimensional accuracy and good surface quality. Additionally, this award supports the development of an information system that automates and coordinates the exchange of information between all of the involved elements of this equipment. This information processing system consists of a number of modules, such as: solid data exchange module, adaptive slicing module, process planning module, process sensing and control module, and a module for the automatic generation of path planning for welding torches, laser head, and cutting tools.This equipment will enhance the research, training, and educational capabilities at Southern Methodist University's Research Center for Advanced Manufacturing in the area of layered-based manufacturing. The multi-fabrication system will be an unparalleled candidate for a "Mobile Part Hospital" that will contribute to the strengthening of America's military readiness. The availability of hardware and software both acquired and developed through this project will provide "hands-on" experience and research facilities for the undergraduate and graduate students, as well as engineers from local industry. As the project involves various aspects of engineering science and practice in nontraditional manufacturing processes, welding, design, computer control systems, interfacing, sensing, signal processing, control, and software development, students will be exposed to the related concepts, principles, methods, software and hardware. This exposure will provide the impetus for addressing more challenging cross-disciplinary manufacturing development problems. Layered-based manufacturing will become a major graduate thrust of the School of Engineering at Southern Methodist University.