Hybrid Lecture on Learning and Adaptation in Robotic Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing (WAAM)
IEEE CS Schenectady Chapter is excited to host a hybrid lecture on "Learning and Adaptation in Robotic Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing (WAAM)".
Speaker: John Wen, RPI
Abstract:
Wire arc directed energy deposition robotic additive manufacturing offers near-net-shape fabrication for aerospace components and the repair and modification of cast and forged parts. However, inherent process variability can compromise geometric accuracy and material quality. While in-process sensors have been introduced to mitigate these issues, they often require pausing the process, which limits productivity and adversely affects part quality, especially for large, heavy builds.
This talk will present a real-time, closed-loop control system that continuously adjusts both robot path speed and wire feed rate during the build process. The system integrates in-situ geometry and thermal sensors to enable dynamic monitoring and adaptive control based on a data-driven process model. This work is performed on a Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing (WAAM) testbed at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI). The system includes a welding robot with a wrist-mounted laser scanner, and a monitoring robot equipped with infrared thermal cameras. The system software architecture is based on the Robot Raconteur middleware.
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- University of Albany
- Albany, NY, New York
- United States 12203
- Building: ETEC Building
- Room Number: 149/151
- Click here for Map
- Starts 22 February 2026 10:00 PM UTC
- Ends 26 March 2026 03:00 PM UTC
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Speakers
John Wen
Learning and Adaptation in Robotic Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing (WAAM)
John Wen is the Russell Sage Professor in Engineering and a professor in Electrical, Computer, and Systems Engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. He has been an active researcher in control, robotics, and automation for over four decades. His recognitions include IEEE Fellow in 2001, the 2013 IEEE Control Systems Society Transition to Practice Award, Oversea Assessor for the Chinese Academy of Sciences 2004-2009, and Senior Visiting Scientist of the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science in 1997. He was with Fisher Controls 1981-1983, Jet Propulsion Laboratory 1985-1988, and RPI since 1988. He served as Head of Electrical, Computer, and Systems Engineering 2019-2025, Head of Industrial and Systems Engineering 2013-2018, Director of the Center for Automation Technologies and Systems (CATS) 2005-2013. His research is in control theory and applications including robotics, material processing, and thermal management. His work has been funded by NSF, ONR, ARO, NASA, NIST, New York State, industry, and consortia.