Stage EDF/Mines/AFH (Paris region) Advanced data assimilation framework for WAAM additive layer manufacturing processes

EDF is currently investigating the capabilities of emerging additive layer manufacturing technologies such as WAAM (wire + arc additive manufacturing). This novel manufacturing process leverages existing welding technologies, whilst promising to allow engineers to build or repair large engineering components in a flexible and reliable manner. As of today, this process is not mature enough to be used for industrial production. This project focusses on establishing a robust numerical pipeline between numerical simulation of WAAM processes on the one hand, and data-rich lab experiments on the other hand. This pipeline will help researchers advance current understanding and control capabilities of this emerging class of additive manufacturing processes. 
 

One of the major difficulties limiting the capabilities of today’s numerical simulators is the multiscale and multiphysics nature of additive manufacturing processes, and WAAM in particular. Predicting how the shape of manufactured parts deviates from nominal geometries proves incredibly challenging, as fine-scale couplings between electromagnetics, thermodynamics, fluid and solid mechanics need to be resolved over large spatial domains and long periods of time. To make simulations possible, it is usually proposed to adopt a simplified, thermo-mechanical macroscopic point of view. However, in order to take unrepresented physics into account, model inputs (heat source models, material deposition models, ...) need to be reliably inferred from appropriately generated experimental data.

The project aims to establish a cutting-edge two-ways experiment-to-simulation pipeline to improve and automatise this inference process. Today’s labs are equipped with high-resolution scanners that may be used to acquire the full geometry of built objects. In turn, we wish to calibrate EDF’s thermo- mechanical model so that the predicted shape deviation from CAD matches that observed in the real-world. It will then be possible to virtually predict the shape deviation from ACD for a new process or component, without manufacturing it physically, thereby paving the way towards virtual design and optimisation of ALM operations.

The technical outlines of the project are as follows.

•   The candidate will construct geometrical algorithms to assimilate point cloud data generated 
•   by 3D scanning of manufactured parts, i.e. to allow inference algorithms to compare real surface profiles to simulated ones. The algorithms will be developed in Python and subsequently interfaced with EDF’s solid mechanics finite element code code_aster. 
• The candidate will develop robust data-assimilation algorithms to tune/learn simplified computational models (of inherent-strain type) based on the 3D-scan data available at EDF. The procedure will be validated against its ability to blindly predict the shape of new WAAM products. 
• The candidate will deploy a data mining strategy to improve the transferability of the calibrated model parameters over a range of manufacturing conditions and part geometries.

The work will be hosted by Mines ParisTech (Centres des Matériaux, http://www.mat.mines- paristech.fr/Research/Scientific-clusters/SIMS/ ), and in partnership with EDF Chatou. The duration of the stage is 6 months minimum, up to 9 months (expected start: winter/spring 2021). The candidate may take part in designing new sets of experiments as part of the project. The work is sponsored by the Additive Factory Hub (AFH), a group of high-tech industries teaming up to advance the state-of-the-art in metal additive layer manufacturing through shared research. The candidate is expected to take an active part in the dissemination of the results in the AFH network. https://www.additivefactoryhub.com/.

Requirements:

• Proven experience in computational engineering & numerical simulation - Strong interest in manufacturing and digital twining 
• Interest in machine learning and data mining 
• Excellent analytical skills   
• Scientific curiosity and strong interest in digital industry

Application and additional enquires:

Send CV and statement of motivation to Pierre Kerfriden, Mines ParisTech pierre.kerfriden@mines-paristech.fr
CC: Sami Hilal, EDF Chatou, sami.hilal@edf.fr , Djamel Missoum-Benziane, djamel.missoum-benziane@mines-paristech.fr 

 

 

 

Keywords:  

Additive Layer Manufacturing, Computational Engineering, Applied Mathematics, Finite Element Method, Data Assimilation, Machine Learning, Industry 4.0

 

https://calcul.math.cnrs.fr/job_080ea3e05f8bd8bbf8160c92894af850.html