Intelligent Automation Research Group

Intelligent Automation provides supervisory functionality as well as production functionality. Ideally, an intelligent automation system should make use of a-priori knowledge as well as real-time derived knowledge. Intelligent automation systems deploy sensors to measure the input and output of a process as well as intermediate parts of the process. In this way, coupled with computer analysis of acquired data sets, corresponding actions are created so that the manufacturing processto never produce a defective part/assembly. One outcome is to deploy partial automation solutions that work with skilled operators utilising the best features of human performance (reasoning, adaptability, dexterity) and the best features of automation systems (repeatability, speed, accuracy and reliability). The Intelligent Automation research group links into the Manufacturing Technology Centre (the-mtc.org) and into Rolls-Royce, Airbus and Aero Engine Controls and Ford Motor Company UK for industrial exploitation of research output.

More information about this group can be found at;

www.intelligent-automation.org.uk

Current research

• Professor Memis Acar: Biomechanics modelling and design for injury prevention; Multi-body dynamic and FE modelling of spine segments and whole spine; Crash simulation and design for injury analysis; Active and passive vehicle safety systems.; Novel car passenger seat and head restraint design for whiplash prevention; Engineering processes of fibres and fibrous products; Modelling of nonwoven fabric structure; Modelling of airflow and heat transfer through fibrous webs; Application of air and water jets in textile industries; Design of textile machinery.

• Kaddour Bouazza-Marouf: Robotics and control.  Robotic assisted surgery.  Mechatronic assistance in orthopaedic surgery.  Robotic assisted neurosurgery.  Design of fail-safe compact robotic devices.  In-vivo bone quality evaluation.  Mobile Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO).  Mechatronic/engineering assistance in medicine.  Active vibration control applied to dynamic platforms.  Autonomous guided vehicles.

• Professor Keith Case:  Cognitive ergonomics including assembly information systems and the simulation of human behaviour.  Physical ergonomics including digital human modelling, inclusive design and the ageing workforce.  Knowledge management in the design and manufacture context.  Evolutionary design.  CAD/CAM.

• Dr Jenny Harding: Information and knowledge modelling, information systems and decision support, simulation and performance measurement in manufacturing systems.  Intelligent manufacture and applications of artificial intelligence in product and manufacturing systems design and collaborative team-working.  Data mining and Text Mining.  Knowledge Reuse and Best Practice.  Interoperability, networked enterprise collaboration and semantically-enabled knowledge services. 

• Professor Rob Harrison: Factory automation, robotics, assembly machines, printing, packaging machine.  Modular approaches to the design and real-time computer control of machines and processes.  Design/simulation tools for modular mechatronic systems.  Distributed control systems for manufacturing, building control, factory/home security.  Mechatronic systems in advanced manufactured products.

• Professor Mike Jackson: Mechatronic Systems.  High speed machine vision.  Laser materials processing.  Machine vision controlled manufacturing machinery.  High speed machinery.  Wood working machines.  Mechatronics applied to timber machining.  Active vibration control.  Food processing machinery.  High speed printing machinery.  Sustainability, Robotics in Agriculture.  Intelligent machines, Intelligent Automation in High Value Manufacturing.

• Dr David Kerr: Digital Image Processing, Industrial Machine Vision, Food Packaging Sealing and Analysis, Laser Measurement Systems, Optical Engineering, Image Processing in Medical Applications.

• Professor Rob Parkin: Mechatronics.  Sensors and actuators.  Distributed intelligent control.  Condition monitoring.  Embedded Intelligent Devices for Sustainable Products.  Internet and Wireless Networked Systems.  Connected Products.  Robotics in Agriculture.  Intelligent machines.

• Andy Taylor: Engineering design methods and strategies.  Remote handling devices for hazardous environments.  Human factors in automotive and product design.  Inclusive design.  Assistive devices for disabled or impaired people.  Stroke rehabilitation.  Technologies for developing countries.

• Professor Andy West: Real time distributed components within the manufacturing machine domain.  Global development of the next generation of manufacturing machines.  Human resources within enterprise modelling activities. Large area flexible circuits within automotive applications. Design, implementation and testing of weight training equipment.  Manufacturing within the pharmaceutical industry.  Biological control and monitoring solutions within the food and health domains.

• Bob Wood: Interests in measuring and modelling various aspects of human performance and interactions that are relevant to the development of mechatronic systems, especially those systems intended to support or enhance human performance.

• Dr Bob Young: Product Lifecycle Management.  Manufacturing integration and systems inter-operability.  Information and knowledge modelling.  Global manufacture.  Information sharing.  Knowledge re-use.  Mould tool design systems.  Concurrent Engineering.  Multi-viewpoint design for manufacture. 

The work of the Group is further supported by

• Toshio Fukuda, Visiting Professor of Nano-Mechatronic Systems,
• Andrzej Kesy Visiting Professor (Poland)
• Zbigniew Kesy, Visiting Professor (Poland)
• Dr Farbod Zorriassatine, Visiting Fellow.