The EPSRC National Centre for Innovative Manufacturing in Intelligent Automation is part of a government funded initiative to support the development of new technologies that will underpin future growth in high value manufacturing.
The Centre is a collaboration between Loughborough and Cranfield Universities and industrial partners Rolls-Royce, Airbus, Aero Engine Controls and the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC). The EPSRC Centre has a physical presence at both Universities allowing joint access to state of the art facilities and rapid transfer of knowledge between researchers and industrial partners via the MTC and the Cranfield exploitation network.
The aim of this PhD project is to explore ways of controlling manufacturing machinery by utilising a combination of technical measurement, knowledge extraction, multi decision making and actuation elements integrated in a unique manner to improve and extend manufacturing machinery capability. Manufacturing systems that rely on automatic control are, as yet, incapable of intelligent and adaptive operation. In many processes where the input material characteristics vary and/or the machinery performance varies, the operators must compromise on a machine and tooling set up. This research will make use of automation test rigs that can measure key parameters of manufacturing processes. Research into intelligent machine control will be investigated using a combination of a-priori and real-time acquired knowledge derived from a number of manufacturing processes.      Â
Applications are invited now for this 3-year PhD studentship, which will commence on 1st October 2013. The studentship is expected to have a stipend up to £23,000 per annum tax free (the exact amount depends on fee status and experience). We are considering home, EU and international students.
The candidates must be expecting, or have already obtained a first degree (1st class or high 2:1 honours or equivalent) in Mechanical or Manufacturing Engineering or other relevant subject. Good communication and computational skills are essential and an interest in, and basic understanding of sensing technologies and intelligent automation is desirable.
Please apply through the Apply button below.
Applicants seeking additional information are invited to contact Centre Administrator Ms. Smita Jenna (S.Jenna@lboro.ac.uk).
Applications close on 1st September 2013.Â