Industrial CASE PhD Studentship - Additive manufacture (3D printing) of metals

Applications are invited for a fully-funded PhD studentship starting in September 2016. It is suitable for well-qualified students who have (or expect to obtain) a first class degree in engineering, physics or other relevant subject. For UK applicants, the studentship will cover tuition fees as well as an annual tax-free stipend of at least £ £14,057. This EPSRC industrial CASE studentship is supported by Renishaw and the stipend could be enhanced for a suitably qualified applicant.

Our research relates to fundamental process understanding and process control in the additive manufacture (3D printing) of metals, including directed-energy deposition and powder-bed techniques. This PhD project is specifically related to metal powder bed fusion additive manufacturing systems that build complex metal parts for a wide range of industrial applications.

The successful applicant will use optical instrumentation to monitor residual stresses that can arise during the build process. These measurements will be used to validate multi-physics finite element models, in order to provide greater understanding and control of the manufacturing process. The project is based in Heriot-Watt’s Optical Diagnostics Group (www.optical-diagnostics.hw.ac.uk), working under the supervision of Prof. Andrew Moore. The PhD will involve close collaboration with our partners at Renishaw, including a three month placement with them.

Self-motivated individuals with a strong work ethic are encouraged to apply. Some experience of stress and strain measurements and numerical modelling is desirable, as is knowledge of Matlab, Python, Comsol or Labview. Informal enquiries may be addressed to Prof. Andrew Moore.