- Start: 01/03/2013
- End: 30/11/2014
The main objective of LT1 was to design and develop new methodologies for process control of manufacturing operations used at GKN-Vigo plant, and aimed at increasing process flexibility and reducing start-up times when changing product reference, ensuring the quality of production equipments and operations, minimizing unplanned down times while maximizing production capacity of the overall plant. The following techniques and technologies have been employed during the project: 1) finite element-based analysis techniques for modeling and simulation of induction heating and carburizing operations, 2) non-destructive procedures based on FBG sensor technologies for temperature monitoring; 3) additive manufacturing technologies combined with thermoset materials solutions to manufacture inductor coils; 4) vibration monitoring to assess for predictive maintenance of equipments performing hard-machining operations; 5) prototype test rigs facilities to simulate experimental cooling conditions during oil-quenching operations.
Process control and monitoring systems employed in each manufacturing operation studied in the project have been design and developed for adequate validation at plant´s facilities. Besides, experimental data have been compared with the theoretical-based simulation results. Lead Time for each selected manufacturing operation and the whole production plant have been determined at the end of the project.
- Sectors: Automotive, Metal mechanical
- R&D&i: Additive manufacturing, Materials under extreme conditions
- Contributors: CTAG, USC - SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA UNIVERSITY
- Leader: GKN Driveline Vigo
- Partners: ELINSA, GRUPO MATRIGALSA, Decuna
- Acronym: LT1
- Ambit: National
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