Predicting what happens in a manufacturing process can eliminate the need for physical experiments that are time- and resource-consuming. This can help companies optimise production, use fewer resources, and thereby gain competitive advantages and save money.
This is the essence of Jesper Hattel's many years of research, which culminated in a doctorate yesterday. Using computer simulations, he can predict what will happen in a manufacturing process before a company tests it in real life.
With a fundamental understanding of materials and the underlying physics, Jesper Hattel uses mathematical models to simulate heat transfer and the behaviour of solid and liquid materials to predict what happens when, for example, a liquid metal melt is poured into a mould.
In this way, it is possible to gain insight into potential weaknesses in the part before it is even moulded.
Another example where he uses computer simulations is additive manufacturing - also known as 3D printing. Here you can plan which adjustments need to be made where to achieve the desired result. It's a more resource-efficient approach than the classic method trial and error.
Jesper Hattel has been a professor at DTU since 2006 and received the Teacher of the Year award in 2010. Last year, he received the Order of the Dannebrog for his contribution to research in the field of digitalisation, and specifically digitalisation of the manufacturing industry.
The doctoral thesis is a synthesis of 34 research publications spanning 23 years of work in the field. The full thesis Multiphysics Modelling of Manufacturing Processes can be read here.
