Review Tracks

This track accepts papers in the general areas of manufacturing systems in, but not limited to, the following areas:

• Biomedical manufacturing systems
• Sustainable manufacturing systems
• Nano and micro manufacturing systems
• Modelling and simulation of complex manufacturing systems
• Computer-aided manufacturing and robotics
• Wireless sensors and sensor networks for manufacturing
• Manufacturing systems of renewable energy devices, electric vehicles, roll-to-roll fabrication
• Human factors and man-machine interactions in manufacturing
• Quality and reliability
• Product lifecycle management

This track accepts papers in the general areas of manufacturing processes – except for material removal operations – in, but not limited to, the following areas:

• Mechanics, tribology and technology of material forming, powder consolidation, casting, joining and polymer and composites processing
• Dimensional and surface metrology, and part surface integrity
• Biomedical manufacturing processes
• Sustainable manufacturing processes
• Hybrid manufacturing processes
• Manufacturing processes of renewable energy devices, electric vehicles, roll-to-roll fabrication
• Laser-based processes
• Lightweight metals manufacturing processes
• Dynamics and control of high-precision machine tools and structures

This track accepts papers in the general areas of material removal in, but not limited to, the following areas:

• Technology of conventional and non-traditional materials removal processes
• Biomedical material removal processes
• Sustainable material removal processes
• Laser-based material removal processes
• Lightweight metals material removal processes
• Advances in cutting tool design
• Material removal of hard-to-machine metals
• Advances in control and metrology for multi-tasking machine tools
• High speed material removal processes
• Economics of material removal processes
• Advances in modelling and simulation of material removal processes
• Methods for improving surface quality

Additive manufacturing (AM) has been demonstrated as a key enabling technology for faster new product development, novel structure realisation, new material development, and production of multi-functional structures. As seen in many applications, AM brings a profound change in how a structure is manufactured without compromising performance. Yet, the realisation of not only the best but also consistent properties in fabricated materials systems and structures remains as a grand challenge for further adoption and integration of AM in various industrial applications. This track thus aims to bring together scientists, researchers, and engineers from academia, national labs, and industries with common interests in development of new structures and material systems via AM. New design methodologies and new AM process development which facilitate the realisation of such structures and material systems are also of interest. Specific topics include, but are not limited to:

• Lightweight and efficient structures using AM
• Fabrication of advanced material systems by AM
• Microstructure and mechanical properties of materials and structures fabricated by AM
• Sustainability of AM (energy consumption)
• Embedded sensors and integrated functionalities using AM
• Bio-AM and applications of AM in medical device manufacturing
• AM as enabling technology in surface tailoring, and part repair and restoration
• Multi-scale, physics based modelling of AM processes
• Design for AM and topology optimisation
• Next generation of AM technologies and process planning

Smart manufacturing is defined by the US National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) as the fully integrated collaborative manufacturing systems that respond in real time to meet changing demands and conditions in the factory, in the supply network, and in customer needs. Smart manufacturing systems are supported by smart manufacturing processes through seamless integration of the two. The smartness of this integrated process-system is enabled by sensing, monitoring and control from bottom up as well as planning, scheduling and execution from top down, with overall better adaptability and resilience. Papers addressing advancement and future potentials of smart manufacturing are welcome to be submitted to this track. Relevant topics include, but are not limited to:

• Big data analytics for manufacturing planning and control
• Machine learning / artificial intelligence applications in manufacturing
• Cloud-enabled cyber physical systems in production planning, control and execution
• Cyber security in manufacturing processes and systems
• Remote monitoring and control of manufacturing processes/systems in cyber workspace
• Real-time sensing, diagnosis and prognosis for distant maintenance
• Industrial Internet of Things (IoT) and applications
• Digital Twins for industry digitalization and modelling
• Integration of intelligent manufacturing processes with smart systems

Papers on industrial application and manufacturing education are particularly welcome for submission to this track. Papers should address the engineering rationale for the work, the analytical and/or test-work done to develop a solution, areas for further research identified through the work, and initial pilot or production application experience. Moreover, it should be observed that the renaissance in US manufacturing cannot be undertaken and sustained unless it is supported by a skilled workforce at all levels of the manufacturing organization. Therefore, a goal of this track is also to exchange ideas in order to improve manufacturing education to better meet current and future industry needs. Papers for this track are welcome from not only the manufacturing community but also outside the manufacturing community (e.g., primary and secondary education). Specific topics of interest include, but are not limited to:

• Industrial applications in real-world environments
• Manufacturing methods for new materials or product features
• Innovative manufacturing education and workforce-development programs
• Innovative tools for manufacturing education and workforce-development
• Professional development in the manufacturing community
• Manufacturing and ABET (Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology)
• Workforce development through federal initiatives such as Manufacturing USA