Integration of Physical and Data Sciences for Manufacturing Process and Product Quality Control
Speaker: Dr. Robert X. Gao
Cady Staley Professor and Chair, Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Case Western Reserve University
When: March 25, 2025 | 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Location: CEME Building, room 2202 (6250 Applied Science Lane, Vancouver)
The Department of Mechanical Engineering’s Distinguished Colloquium series invites leading researchers to share their expertise on a variety of topics with our academic community.
Abstract:
Continued advancement in data science has opened up new opportunities to enhance monitoring and control of manufacturing processes and product quality. This seminar presents two case studies highlighting the advantage of integrating model-based and data-driven methods for manufacturing applications. The first case study illustrates the integration of Ridgelet transform with convolutional neural network (CNN) for enhancing the effectiveness of characterization of machined parts using non-contact evaluation of surface roughness as an example. The second case study focuses on Gaussian Process-enhanced Model Predictive Control (MPC) for in-process control of incremental bending of skeletal fixation plates, which is an essential component in craniomaxillofacial reconstructive surgery to restore the basic functions and appearance of the patients’ facial structure. The seminar highlights the potential of convergent research to advance the state of point-of-care manufacturing to improve human health care and beyond.
Biography:
Dr. Robert Gao is the Cady Staley Professor of Engineering and Department Chair of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. Since receiving his Ph.D. from the Technical University of Berlin (TU Berlin), Germany, in 1991, he has been working on physics-based signal transduction mechanisms, multi-resolution signal processing, stochastic modeling, and AI/machine learning for manufacturing process and product quality control. The outcome of his research has been reflected in 450 technical papers, including more than 210 journal articles, 13 patents, and two books. He received the IEEE Andrew P. Sage Best Transactions Paper Award (in Systems, Man, and Cybernetics) and is a recipient of the Web of Science (WoS) “Highly Cited Researcher in the Field of Engineering” award in 2023 and 2024, respectively.
Professor Gao is a Fellow of CIRP, SME, IEEE and ASME, and a Distinguished Fellow of the International Institute of Acoustics and Vibration (IIAV). He received several professional awards, including the ASME Milton C. Shaw Manufacturing Research Medal, ASME Blackall Machine Tool and Gage Award, SME Gold Medal, SME Eli Whitney Productivity Award, IEEE Instrumentation and Measurement Society Technical Award, IEEE Best Application in Instrumental and Measurement Award, etc. He is a recipient of the NSF CAREER award, and a Distinguished Lecturer of the IEEE Instrumentation and Measurement Society and the IEEE Electron Devices Society. He served as the Chair of the Scientific Committee of the North American Manufacturing Research Institute (NAMRI/SME) and Chair of the CIRP Collaborative Working Group on AI in Manufacturing (CWG-AI). He was a Senior Editor of the IEEE/ASME Transactions on Mechatronics, and an Associate Editor for several journals of the ASME, IEEE, and IFAC.