Title:

Virtual Prototyping and Freeform Fabrication

Speaker:

Dr. Ming Leu

Affiliation:

Missouri University of Science and Technology

When:

Tuesday, March 29, 2011 at 11:00:00 AM   Add to Calendar

Where:

MRDC Building, Room 4211

Host:

Dr. Charles Ume
charles.ume@me.gatech.edu
404-894-47411

Abstract

Virtual prototyping and freeform fabrication are critical to rapid product development and realization. This seminar will present the recent and ongoing research of the speaker in these two interconnected areas. On virtual prototyping, the presentation includes our development of geometric modeling techniques that comprise swept-volume representation using a sweep-differential equation approach, and surface reconstruction based on dexel modeling and tri-dexel modeling. The results of this basic research have been integrated with haptics and sound modeling for purpose of multi-modal rendering, and they have been applied to virtual sculpting, virtual bone surgery, and other virtual prototyping applications. Also presented is a technique of motion capture with stereo vision using low-cost cameras such as Nintendo Wii Remotes, and its application to automated real-time CAD model based simulation. On freeform fabrication, the presentation includes our development of two novel, environmentally conscious processes – the rapid freeze prototyping (RFP) process and the freeze-form extrusion fabrication (FEF) process. These processes fabricate 3D parts of freeform geometry by computer-controlled deposition of water droplets (RFP) or aqueous pastes (FEF) in a layer-by-layer fashion. The RFP research consists of theoretical analyses, finite element simulations, and experimental studies performed to understand the process, development of a sacrificial material for this process, and use of the fabricated ice parts as patterns for investment casting. The FEF research includes the design and implementation of an adaptive controller for control of the process to fabricate 3D parts from ceramics and graded ceramic-metal composites. Also presented is our study of using the selective laser sintering (SLS) process to fabricate 3D parts and structures such as zirconium diboride fuel injection struts, 13-93 bioglass scaffolds, and graphite bipolar plates for aerospace, biomedical, and energy applications.

Biography

Dr. Ming C. Leu is the Keith and Pat Bailey Missouri Distinguished Professor in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Missouri University of Science and Technology. He also holds the leadership positions as the Director of Center for Aerospace Manufacturing Technologies and the Director of Intelligent Systems Center at Missouri S&T. Before joining Missouri S&T, he was a Program Director for Manufacturing Processes and Equipment at the National Science Foundation, 1996-1999. For the NSF appointment he was on leave from the New Jersey Institute of Technology, where he had been the State Chair Professor in Manufacturing Productivity since he joined NJIT in 1987. Before that he was on the faculty of the School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Cornell University. Dr. Leu obtained his Ph.D. degree in 1981 from the University of California at Berkeley, his M.S. degree in 1977 from the Pennsylvania State University, and his B.S. degree in 1972 from the National Taiwan University, all in mechanical engineering. Dr. Leu’s research interests include CAD/CAM, virtual prototyping, and freeform fabrication. He has published over 300 papers in refereed journals and conference proceedings, 8 book chapters, and 4 U.S. patents. Through his research activities he has served as the principal advisor to 23 Ph.D. and over 60 M.S. graduates, as well as 15 post-docs. Dr. Leu has received several professional awards, including the ISFA Hideo Hanafusa Outstanding Investigator Award (2008), MCASTA Outstanding Scholar Award (2006), ASME Distinguished Service Award (2004), Missouri S&T AMAE Faculty Excellence Award (2001 & 2004), NJIT Harlan J. Perlis Research Award (1993), NSF Presidential Young Investigator Award (1985), SAE Ralph R. Teetor Education Award (1985), and FPRS Wood Paper Award (1981), and was on the NJIT team to receive the CASA/SME University Lead Award (1994). He was elected to ASME Fellow in 1993 and to CIRP Fellow in 2008, and is a member of the Sigma Xi, Tau Beta Pi, and Phi Kappa Phi honor societies.