Acquisition of a Laser Rapid Manufacturing System, BEAM: Broadening Education through Advanced Manufacturing at UDC
Abstract
University of the District of Columbia (UDC), the nationÕs only urban land grant institution and a historically black college and university (HBCU), aims to infuse additive manufacturing to enhance both the research and education infrastructure. Currently, none of the ~100 HBCUs nationwide have the metal-based additive manufacturing equipment for both research and education purposes. The major goal of this DoD HBCU/MI Instrumentation Grant Award titled "Acquisition of a Laser Rapid Manufacturing System, BEAM: Broadening Education through Advanced Manufacturing at UDC", is to acquire a Laser Rapid Manufacturing (LRM) System through this grant support. This system along with other on-going educational and research activities at UDC can allow UDC to establish itself as: 1) a lead HBCU institution in advanced manufacturing research and education and 2) a collaborator for novel research and educational development between aerospace, defense, energy, and medical sectors. Specifically, the proposed equipment will allow UDC faculty researchers to perform the following research goals: 1. Investigate the deposition, cladding, hardening and machining mechanisms for various materials, including, steel- and titanium-based alloys 2. Investigate and validate the methodology of surface finishing of electropolishing for 3D printed metal components 3. Investigate the in-process monitoring and control schemes for the optimum quality in laser cladding, laser deposition, laser hardening and surface engineering. In addition, acquisition and use of the LRM equipment is aimed to result in the following educational and outreach goals: 1. Increase the number of women and underrepresented minorities becoming involved in STEM, specifically via exposure to advanced manufacturing technology in innovative manufacturing techniques 2. Improve the research and educational environment within the School of Engineering and Applied SciencesÕ (SEAS), bachelorÕs of science (BS) & masterÕs of science (MS) programs, and future doctoral (Ph.D.) degree program. 3. Stimulation of engineering and technology curriculum development keeping it abreast with technological advancement. 4. Validation of numerical models that have benefits to manufacturing industries and the creation of competitive edge and technological support to aerospace, defense, energy sectors leading to pioneering the technologies of the future 5. Novel experiential learning and research opportunities for UDC undergraduate students and graduate students involving state-of-the-art experimental manufacturing systems.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Sep 20, 2018
- Source ID
- W911NF1610546
Entities
People
- Jiajun Xu
Organizations
- Army Contracting Command
- Office of the Secretary of Defense
- University of the District of Columbia