The Materials Processing Group (MPG) is an innovative and multidisciplinary research group,
our activities are mainly focusing on process modelling, optimisation, robustness and control.

Motivation

The materials processing group has as its main objectives to develop methods and tools
focusing on process stability and robustness. The group finds that the ability to model and
analyze complex and often non-linear processes is the foundation for process insight and
optimization. Furthermore, experimental verification of the models is essential for developing
accurate and robust numerical models.

The ability to develop accurate process models opens new possibilities and new research
opportunities, e.g. the non-linear finite element analysis can be combined with a numerical
optimization scheme, enabling an iterative structured search for an optimal process/product
configuration.

Competences

The most relevant competences within the research group for the Materials Processing Group are outlined below:

• finite element
• plasticity
• numerical optimisation
• control engineering
• iterative learning
• material modelling and characterisation.

Research

The research group is currently expanding its activities, focusing on the development of new
active tool designs, feedback control and machine learning.

The main research activities and associated tools and methods are summarized below:

Process Modelling (nonlinear finite element simulation)
Process redesign through:

• Process insight and analysis
• Numerical Optimization

Process control and stabilization

• Process robustness - robust tool design
• Active tools
• Feedback control
• Machine learning / Iterative learning control

Material and process characterization

• Classical characterization methods
• Inverse modelling
• Online process measurements: Strains, forces, displacements
• 3D strain analysis

Experimental facilities

Modern triple action hydraulic press 375/150/50ton, 3D strain analysis,
3D-coordinate measuring machine, 3D characterization of surface roughness, material
characterization equipment e.g. tensile testing, marziniak testing, real time equipment, etc.
Computation facilities: Linux Cluster, state of the art finite element code (LS-Dyna and Ansys),
Matlab etc.