PhD Studentship in “Multi-Fidelity Robust Optimisation Including Manufacturability for Robotic Additive Manufacturing”

Description of the Project

Applications are invited for a fully funded PhD studentship in the area of Design Optimisation for Additive Manufacturing within the Department of Aeronautics at Imperial College London.

To unlock the performance benefits of large-scale Additive Manufacturing (AM) using Direct Energy Deposition (DED) a number of competing objectives need to be addressed. These objectives include component performance and ease of manufacturing. To address these challenges formal optimisation will be used. Little research outside of powder bed fusion has been undertaken to address this opportunity.

Robotic based DED additive manufacture could enable substantial design and manufacturing freedom, however, methodologies to integrate the complexity into the design process are immature and lead to suboptimal designs. The translation of real manufacturing constraints (Robotics Control, Non Destructive Evaluation criteria, Materials behaviour, Distortion and Residual Stress) to algorithmic rules which could be applied to a formal design optimisation framework forms the core of this project. This will result in a computational tool which has been demonstrated on a number of example components.

This project should allow us to have repeatable and reproducible aerospace generated designs. Ultimately, we aim to manufacture the optimised components in the sponsor’s (GKN Aerospace) large-scale, state-of-the-art manufacturing facility. You will also have the exciting opportuity to spend a period of your time at GKN to better understand the hardware, manufacturing challenges, and gain valuable idustrial insights.

We are seeking a bright, highly motivated individual who has or is predicted to be awarded a first-class degree or equivalent in Engineering, Maths, or a relevant discipline. Should you like to discuss any aspect further, please contact Dr Ajit Panesar a.panesar@imperial.ac.uk 

The studentship is for 3.5 years and will provide full coverage of tuition fees and an annual tax-free stipend of approximately £19,668 (+£5000 top-up) for Home, EU and International students.

Information on fee status - https://www.imperial.ac.uk/study/pg/fees-and-funding/tuition-fees/fee-status

Applications will be assessed as received and all applicants should follow the standard college application procedure (https://www.imperial.ac.uk/study/apply/postgraduate-doctoral/). Should you have any queries regarding the application process please contact: Ms. Lisa Kelly by
e-mail: l.kelly@imperial.ac.uk

Closing date for applications: Until filled

Committed to equality and valuing diversity. We are also an Athena Bronze SWAN Award winner, a Stonewall Diversity Champion and a Two Ticks Employer.

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