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Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference: GR/N38374/01
Title: SENSORS FOR CONTROL & AUTOMATION OF WELDING PROCESSES - CONTROL & INTEGRATION
Principal Investigator: Smith, Professor JS
Other Investigators:
Lucas, Professor J
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:
BAE Systems Optosci Ltd
Department: Electrical Engineering and Electronics
Organisation: University of Liverpool
Scheme: LINK
Starts: 01 October 2001 Ends: 30 September 2004 Value (£): 64,413
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:
Instrumentation Eng. & Dev.
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:
Aerospace, Defence and Marine Manufacturing
Transport Systems and Vehicles
Related Grants:
Panel History:  
Summary on Grant Application Form
The SCAWP project is to develop sensors for welding processes based upon previous research at Heriot-Watt and integrate them into a laser manufacturing cell and other welding equipment to determine their viability. Whilst HW had expertise in welding sensor development, the university of Liverpool has expertise in the integration of sensors and of the development of control strategies. Liverpool's expertise has come from involvement with the EPSRC IMI CEMWAM programme (both phases). Using techniques developed, Liverpool will be responsible for the computer hardware and software integration of the sensors into laser and arc welding processes to allow the welding system to control weld penetration depth, laser focus, gas shied breakdown and also detect porosity, It is envisaged that control strategies based upon both neural networks and fuzzy logic will be implemented using a user friendly interface to allow engineers to change the control loops rather than the software developers. System verification will be undertaken at BAS Systems to evaluate and validate the system performance whilst undertaking welds on a variety of materials and joints.
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Organisation Website: http://www.liv.ac.uk