Prof. Xiaoqi CHEN

Schedule

July 9th,2016

Topic

Robotic 3D Grinding for Superalloys

Abstract

The rapid advancement of information technology, manufacturing processes and techniques, and robotics and control is rapidly changing the landscape of the manufacturing industry, and provides new opportunities for the industry to embrace smart and intelligent manufacturing systems. However difficult-to-automate material processing such as 3D grinding of superalloys still poses great challenges to the research community. The increasing use of these high-temperature materials in aerospace, nuclear plants and marines calls for intelligent robotic systems that can remove the operators from harsh working environment and laborious tasks. This talk presents the latest development of robotic systems to mimic manual operator in carrying out 3D grinding and polishing of superalloys. Robotisation of the process requires fundamental understanding of the theory of friction-based materials removal. Furthermore measurement based online robot path planning, multi-sensor fusion for process monitoring, model based optimal material removal control method need to be innovated in pursuit of fully automated 3D grinding system for tough engineering materials.

Resume

• Prof XiaoQi Chen is a professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Canterbury. He graduated from South China University of Technology with BEng in Mechanical Engineering in 1984. He was a recipient of China-UK Technical Co-Operation Award for his MSc study in Materials Technology, Brunel University (1985 – 1986); and PhD study in Electrical Engineering, the University of Liverpool (1986 – 1989)
• Prof Chen was Senior Research Assistant at Durham University (1989 – 1990), Research Fellow at Brunel University (1990-1992), and Research Fellow, Research Scientist and Senior Scientist at Singapore Institute of Manufacturing Technology (1992-2006). In 1999, he led a research team that won the prestigious “Singapore National Technology Award” for their success in developing the first-its-kind robotic system for polishing and grinding distorted 3D aerofoils of High Pressure Turbine (HTP) vanes. Prof Chen joined the University of Canterbury as Director for Mechatronics Engineering in 2006.
• Prof Chen was the founding Chair of IEEE Robotics and Automation New Zealand Chapter. He has served as Associate Editor for IEEE Transactions on Industrial Electronics, IEEE Transactions on Automation Science and Engineering, Control and Intelligent Systems, and International Journal of Advanced Robotic Systems. Prof Chen’s research interests cover mechatronics, mobile robotics, assistive device and technology. He has authored and co-authored over 250 referred publications, and authored and edited four books; and is co-inventor of 10 patents. His pioneering work on wall climbing robot led to a spin-off company Invert Robotics Limited which won 2012 New Zealand Ministry of Science and Innovation Start-Up Award. Prof Chen is Elected Fellow of Institution of Professional Engineers New Zealand (IPENZ) and Elected Fellow of Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME, USA).