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TAG – 1: Integrated Machine Health Monitoring (IMHM)

Research Focus

To design and develop intelligent systems for machine health monitoring.

Major Activities
  • Fault diagnosis of mechanical elements and mechanical systems (Eg. Bearing, Gears, Gear boxes, etc.)
  • Tool Condition Monitoring (TCM) – Turning, Milling , High speed precision machining, Grinding etc.
  • Weld arc signature analysis to identify weld defects in pulsed GMAW process
Facilities Available with the Group
  • Accelerometers (Vibration measurement)
  • Acoustic Emission (AE) sensor (AE measurement 100-300 kHz)
  • Data acquisition system for Vibration & AE measurement
  • Sound sensors – Microphone and related hardware for signature analysis
  • Test rigs for vibration data acquisition from mechanical systems
  • Residual stress measurement equipment
  • Signature analysis using open source tools / MATLAB / WEKA (Time / Frequency and Wavelet domains) – Statistical models
Product Developed

Developed low-cost real-time monitoring system for early fault detection using Predictive Analytics.

Research Projects

Gear Box Test Rig: Fault diagnosis of a typical dynamic mechanical system (gear box) used in automobile transmission systems by extracting the Acoustic Emission (AE), sound and vibration signals and then classifying these signals using efficient machine learning algorithms. – DRDO Funded Project

Machinery Fault Simulator (ISRO): Fault diagnosis of mechanical elements like gears and bearing using vibration and sound signals. – ISRO Funded Project

Process Monitoring and Simulation : Tool condition monitoring in high speed machining of Titanium alloy using acoustic emission sensor and machining process simulation – DRDO Funded Project

Residual Stress Measurement: Prediction of residual stress during machining of Titanium alloy using Finite Element Model and experimental verification – AR &DB Funded Project

Research Expertise in
  • Intelligent fault diagnosis of rotating machinery
  • Extraction of information from the machine using multi sensor fusion techniques
  • Machining process monitoring and control
  • Tool condition monitoring in high speed precision milling process
  • Prediction of surface roughness in the work piece
  • Grinding wheel condition monitoring
  • Development of hardware unit for process monitoring and fault diagnosis
  • Machinability studies on hard materials such as Titanium, Inconel, etc
  • Prediction of residual stress in the machined component
  • Online welding quality control using signature analysis
  • Identification of welding defect using image processing and machine learning techniques
Research Publications

The group has more than 50 publications in peer-reviewed international journals.

TAG – 2: Computational Nonlinear Dynamics and Vibrations

Research Focus
  • The group mainly focus on developing theoretical, analytical and numerical solutions for systems with continuous / discontinuous nonlinearities
  • Enhancing the performance of engineering systems incorporating nonlinearities. This requires efficient computational and theoretical framework and experimental validation.
Areas of Research
  • Energy harvesting from vibrations – Enhancing the performance through nonlinear techniques
  • Negative stiffness-based vibration isolation systems
  • Nonlinear energy sink (NES) based vibration absorbers
  • Synchronization in systems with discontinuous nonlinearities
  • Control of oscillations in large networks using delayed self-feedback – Applications in NEMS systems
  • Computational Neuroscience
Research Projects
  • Adaptive Bistable Systems
  • Negative Stiffness Isolation Systems
  • Entertainment and Bifurcations in Stick Slip Oscillators
Research Publications

TAG – 3: Exergy Studies

Head

Team Member

Research Focus

To quantify the exergy destruction (entropy generation) of a system during a process and reducing the irreversibilities of the system (Second Law Analysis). It is used as a powerful tool in the analysis of energy systems. Some of the applications are to conduct exergo-economic analysis of systems, assessment of alternatives for energy savings, cost allocation, operation optimization, local optimization of subsystems and energy audits and assessment of fuel impact of malfunctions.

Concept: Exergy is the maximum work potential extracted from the total energy. This concept can be used to combine and compare all flows of energy according to their quantity and quality.

Research Projects
  • Exergy Analysis on Thermal Power Plant
  • Exergy Analysis on Manufacturing System
  • Exergy Analysis on Solar Water Heater
  • Exergy Analysis on Human Body System (Physical Exergies)
  • Exergy Analysis on Potential Head utilizing Micro hydro turbines
  • Exergy Analysis of Transportation
Research Papers

TAG – 4: Alternative Energy Technologies

Research Areas
  • Wind Turbine Design and Modeling
  • Supersonic Combustion/flow
  • Soot Modeling
  • Micro/Mesoscale Combustion
  • Jet/Spray Instabilities Modeling
  • Premixed Combustion
  • Alternate Fuels
Facilities Available

Softwares: ANSYS FLUENT, CHEMKIN, OpenFOAM

Computational Facilities:

  • 3 Server nodes with 20 Cores and 64 GB RAM
  • 3 Computers with i7 processor with 16 GB RAM
  • One visualization system with i7 8 core with 64 GB RAM

Experimental Facilities:

  • High Precision Mass Flow Controllers
  • Air Compressor
  • Hot and Cold water Baths
  • Setup for testing Burners
  • DSLR Camera

Major Equipment

  • Hot Water Bath
  • Cold Water Bath
  • Cylinders`
  • Air Compressor
  • Mass Flow Controllers
  • Fine Wire Thermocouples with Sheath
  • Camera
Diverging Channel Experimental Setup

The diverging channel experimental method is developed for the measurement of burning velocity of various gaseous fuels at elevated temperatures.

Schematic of Diverging Channel Experimental Setup

Actual Set Up Image for Diverging Channel Method

Heat Flux Method Setup

Heat flux method is a direct method for determining laminar burning velocity.  This measurement technique uses a nearly flat flame anchored over the burner top.

Schematic of Heat Flux Setup

Actual Set Up Image for Heat Flux

Experimental Setup for Household Burners

Experimental setup was developed to understand the flame stability of household burners operated with LPG/H2/air mixtures

Household Burner Experimental Setup

Selected Publications

TAG – 5: Computational Solid Mechanics

Research Areas
  • Numerical Modeling
    • High Speed Machining
    • Metal Forming
    • Fracture, Fatigue, Failure & Creep
    • Spring-based Energy Harvesting
    • Machining Stability
  • Optimization of machining parameters
  • Machine Condition Monitoring
Research Projects
  • High Speed Machining
  • Metal Forming
  • Spring Based Energy Harvesting System
  • Fatigue-Fracture Failure, and Creep Modelling
Collaborative Projects & Funding
Collaborator Title Status of Funding/Type of Collaboration
Foreign University Virginia-Tech, USA / US-India Educational Foundation Fulbright Specialist Scholarship Program – brought in a senior visiting professor from Virginia-Tech Granted  (Rs. 4 lakhs)
DST (TIDE) In-House Low-Cost Hand & Arm Rehabilitation System Granted (Rs. 22 lakhs)
Industries Defence Research Development Laboratory, Hyderabad Modeling of Deformation in Machining Processes Granted (Rs. 10 lakhs)
Modeling of Reverse Flow-forming for Manufacturing Long Cylinders Industry-Academia
ROOTS Industries India Private Limited, Coimbatore Finite Element Modeling of Residual Stresses and Fatigue-Induced Failure in a Vehicle Horn Diaphragm Industry- Academia
Larson & Toubro, Coimbatore Numerical Modeling of Machining of Thin-Wall Structures to Predict Warping and Appropriate Fixtures Industry- Academia
Research Publications

TAG – 6: Industrial Engineering

Team Members

Research Areas
  • Modeling and Analysis of Manufacturing/Service systems through lean and agile initiatives.
  • Modeling and Assessement of Supply chain responsiveness for Manufacturing/Service systems.
  • Assessment and implementation of lean in healthcare systems.
  • Development of a standardized evaluation, assessment and implementation methodology for enhancement of leanness in Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
  • Manufacturing system sustainability through Lean and Agile initiatives
  • Development of Sustainability Metrics in a Manufacturing Industry.
  • Warehouse / Inventory Optimization
  • Lean Green Manufacturing practices for Process industries.

Research Focus: Supply Chain Management / Lean Manufacturing

Research Projects

More than 70 Industry Projects have been completed by the group, focused on solving practical industry problems in Supply Chain Responsiveness, Supply Chain Risk Management, Inventory Management, Scheduling and Process improvement. Major industry problems like Defect Reduction, Setup Time Reduction and Productivity Improvement have been solved in numerous industries. The group is interested in providing consultancy and training to micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

Some of the focus areas and projects done are given below.

Supply Chain Risk Management

  • Supply Chain Risk Mapping – Proactive approach to risk mitigation.
  • Empirical Investigation of Supply Disruption in Plastic SMEs using Structural Equation Modeling (Accepted in Int. J. of Productivity and Quality Management)
  • Development of Supply Chain Risk Mitigation Index using a Maturity Framework (Review in The TQM journal)
  • Assessment of Supply Chain Risk mitigation capability using OM-AHP and DEA (part of the work is published in a national conference MISSA organized by PSG Tech)
  • Modelling and Assessment of the Impact of Supply Disruption and Cost of Recovery using System Dynamics Approach (Accepted in Int. J. Industrial and Systems Engineering)

Assessment of the Cost and Impact of Supply Disruption for an Assembly

  • Warehouse Analytics and Optimization
  • Design of a Lean warehouse for a Heavy machinery manufacturer (Elgi Equipments, Coimbatore)
  • Warehouse optimization using demand data analytics using ‘R’ – a case study-based approach (Accepted in Int. J. Business Information Systems)
  • Warehouse simulation and optimization using Anylogic (Current project – Combined optimization and DES)

Design of a Warehouse

  • Layout design optimizing pick rate with rack design, staging and checking areas, maintenance, loading areas, safety walkways, administrative areas and equipment parking.
  • Given product flow dynamics and MHE requirements, the design should be done automatically.
  • Dynamic modification of warehouse layout with product flow data.

Scheduling/Inventory Management

  • Inventory Analytics – Bibliometric Review and Bayesian Networks Approach to Inventory Control
  • Development of a Model for Inventory Optimization using System Dynamics (Delphi, Thrissur)
  • Delivery Service through an Integrated Inventory Mgt Model using a SD Model (IEOM, Bogota, Colombia)
  • Criticality Analysis and Inventory Cost Reduction for High-Value, High Volume Spares (FSN/VED/ABC)
  • Optimization and Scheduling of HAZCHEM Logistics with Time Windows: A case study (MILP)
  • Agent-based modelling in Capacitated Lot Sizing Problem with Sequence dependent Setup time (Accepted in Int. J. of Operational Research) (Anylogic)
  • Improving service levels through bi-echelon inventory positioning – A case study based system dynamics model (Elgi Equipments, Coimbatore)
  • Inventory positioning in the supply chain – Current project – A simulation-optimization approach (using Arena)
  • A system dynamics model with in-built optimization for inventory positioning
  • Machine learning based Job shop Scheduling on MS Excel (python/ML/Excel)

Agility and Supply Chain Responsiveness

  • A combined AHP and ISM–based model to assess the agility of supply chain-a case study (Int J. of Integrated Supply Management 7(1), 167-191, 2012).
  • Modeling a responsive supply chain through exploratory factor analysis – COSMAR 2012 (IISc)
  • Assessing the responsiveness of supply chain – SEM based approach (Int. J. Logistics Systems and Management, 25(4), pp. 558-579, 2016)
  • Responsiveness Model of Textile Supply Chain – A Structural Equation Modeling based Investigation (Accepted in Int. J. Services and Operations Management)
  • Assessment of Supply Chain Responsiveness using a System Dynamics Model (under review in JOM)
  • Evaluation of responsiveness vis-à-vis system efficiency through data envelopment analysis

Process Improvement using Lean Manufacturing Tools

  • Quality filter mapping – Foundry/Engine Assembly line/ Small Angle Grinders
  • Productivity improvement through VSM and Defect reduction for an automotive component
  • Process Improvement of Slim-3 Vertical Machining Centre Assembly Line
  • Assembly line Balancing and Workstation Design for a Pump Manufacturing Industry
  • Design and Implementation of a Cellular Manufacturing System (CMS) in a Pump manufacturing industry
  • Implementation of Lean/Six Sigma in a Pump manufacturing industry
  • Defect reduction in a tube rolling mill
  • Conversion from batch to single piece assembly line in a pump industry
Research Publications

The group has more than 50 publications.

TAG – 7: Surface Engineering &Cryogenic Materials Processing

Team Members

Broad Area
  • Surface Engineering & Cryogenic Materials Processing
Sub Areas
  • Surface Modification
  • Cryogenic tempering/hardening of ferrous and non-ferrous metals and alloys
  • Cryogenic treatment during Machining, Casting and Welding Processes
Objectives
  • To enhance surface, mechanical, corrosion and electrical properties of metals and alloys through cryogenic tempering/hardening.
  • To evaluate the effect of cryogenic treatment during machining on the tool and the component.
  • To evaluate the effect of cryogenic treatment during Casting and Welding of metals and alloys on the mechanical and corrosion properties.
Selected Publications
Funded Research
Years Funding Agency Title of Project Amount of Grant (Rs.) Investigators
2006 (3 years) AICTE -RPS Development of a real-time, process control method based on neural network model using feedback of weld pool geometric parameters measured by a vision-based technique and experimental verification for automated arc welding processes 8.0 lacs Principal Investigator: Dr.R.Sellamuthu (PI), Co-Investigators: Mr. Sanjivi Arul Mr. S.Ilangovan Mr. R.Saravanan
2005 (3 years) DST – Indo-Italy POC in S&T Autonomous Mobile Robots based on Bio-inspired Artificial Control 4.5 lacs Principal Investigator: Mr. Sanjivi Arul
2004 (3 years) DRDO Development of a method to control UV radiation in welding processes 15.45 lacs Principal Investigator: Dr.R.Sellamuthu (PI),  Co-Investigators: Mr. Sanjivi Arul Mr. S.Ilangovan Mr. R.Saravanan
2012 (3 years) DRDO Development of Spinodal Bronze, Bronze Matrix Composite and Functionally Gradient Bronze and Comparison of Their Mechanical and wear Properties 14.2 lacs Principal Investigator: Dr.R.Sellamuthu (PI),  Co-Investigators: Mr. Sanjivi Arul Mr. S.Ilangovan Mr. R.Saravanan

TAG – 8: Light Weight & Smart Materials

Research Areas
  • FRICTION STIR PROCESSING
    • Friction Stir Welding of Tailor Welded Blanks for light weighting.
    • To improve the corrosion and wear resistance , refine the microstructure, and Fabricate surface composites with enhanced surface characteristics.
    • Numerical Simulation of welding and joining processes.
    • Application of Soft computing and Optimization Techniques in Welding and Joining.
  • METAL MATRIX COMPOSITES
    • Development of metal matrix composites for automotive applications
    • Synthesis functionally graded materials for obtaining graded properties
    • FGMs with high mechanical strength and high abrasive wear resistance properties are developed by reinforcing hard reinforcements through the centrifugal casting process
    • Studies on coating techniques such as PVD/CVD/spray pyrolysis for improving tribological and corrosion properties.
    • Thermal barriers in structures of aerospace applications, wear-resistant linings for handling large heavy abrasive ore particles, cylinder blocks, cylinder liners and brake disc.
  • EXPERIMENTAL AND NUMERICAL ANALYSIS
    • Scaled down modeling of elastic structures:
      • Establishment of structural similitude

      Numerical simulation of vibration and seismic analysis of structures

  • ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING
    • Optimization of process parameters of additive manufacturing process
    • Characterization of epoxy granite composite as an alternate material for machine tool structures
Metalic Materials

Advanced and Conventional Materials, Processing and Product Development

  • Eg1: Bright annealing of automotive components (hydrogen annealing)
  • Eg2: Brazing of automotive components (air rides)
  • Eg3: Honeycomb for aerospace (re entry energy absorbing shield)
Facilities
  • Furnaces (Melting, HT, PM and other proceeding): Steel, copper, aluminium brass, and bonze), 2 kg induction furnace
  • Atmosphere control processing (1550 C high temperature furnace)
  • Brazing facility (Vacuum brazing furnace)
  • HT furnace: Air, vacuum and controlled atmosphere heat treatments
Ceramics
  • Expertise in oxide and non oxide ceramics
    • Processing and competent development
    • Facilities: High temperature sintering and conventional PM equipment
    • Eg: Fabrication of light weight alumina structure using air sintering at 1550 C. Alumina, Zirconia, SiC, and WC
  • Composites
    • Metal Matrix and Ceramic Matrix
    • Eg1: Light weight SiC components (SiC – ZrB2)
    • Eg2:Composite for Brake pads foir High end use (Cu-Fe-Sn-C-SiC)
    • Facilities: PM based processing facilities
  • Capabilities
    • Research and Development on advanced materials, aerospace, and auto components.
    • Component development and technology transfer
    • Special purpose equipment design and fabrication (eg: Continuous brazing furnace for automotive components)

TAG – 9: IC Engines & NVH Studies

Research Focus

Engine development and improvement, Emission studies, Vehicle dynamics and optimize Noise, Vibration and Harshness, Air quality modeling for transportation

Major Activities

Engine and Emission studies, Combustion analysis , Performance and emission studies with bio fuels, NVH and refinement, Vehicle Simulation, Multi body dynamics, vehicle handling, Structural and Computational Fluid Dynamics simulation, Performance studies on Hybrid Electric Vehicles, Electronic Control Unit development, Automotive HVAC studies, Tribology studies, Cabin Comfort and Ergonomics, Light weighting.

Research Facilities

Amrita Automotive Research and Technology Centre (AARTC) is a clear manifestation of the university’s focus on research and innovation that would enhance the quality of teaching and learning experience of faculty, researchers and students. The Centre enables the automotive industry to get valuable data on their products and facilitate decision-making on performance and target improvements.

The facilities at Amrita Automotive Research and Technology centre includes

  1. Chassis Dynamometer which provides simulated road driving conditions in a controlled laboratory environment for a range of vehicles upto a power range of 90 kW.
  2. Transient Dynamometer with a maximum power of 168 kW and Torque of 353 Nm which can operate upto 10000 rpm. It is equipped with fuel, oil, coolant, intake air conditioning systems, Fast Response Flame ionization detector HFR 500 with Nano particle measurement system.
  3. Thermal Shock system that facilitates cooling of a hot engine very quickly to place the material under maximum stress.
  4. Eddy Current Dynamometer with a maximum power of 500 kW and Torque of 2000 Nm can operate upto 4000 rpm. It is equipped with exhaust back pressure controller, intercooler, signal conditioning system and Blow by Meter
  5. Utilities comprises of a fully automated system for temperature control with chillers, air handling systems and cooling towers.
  6. Facilities for experimental Modal testing and analysis of full vehicle, power train components, tyres, wheel rim and seat assemblies.
  • Amrita Automotive Research & Technology Centre
  • Transient Dynamometer
  • Chassis Dynamometer
  • Installation of Equipment – for vehicle handling Trials
  • Vehicle Testing
  • Head Acoustic System
  • Listening Studio
  • Mexa 1-D1-EGR (Euro-6)
  • Fast Response FID Analyzer
  • Nano Particle Measurement System
Research Publications

TAG – 10: Automization and Sprays

Team Member

Research Focus

To study spray characteristics through theoretical derivations and experimentation using various atomizers. Several experiments have been conducted with air-assisted, acoustic and effervescent atomizers.

Research Publications

TAG – 11: Robotics and Automation

Objectives

This research group is intended to develop the mobile and humanoid robot for industrial application.

Objectives

  1. To develop a mobile robot which can able to move in a rough terrain
  2. To design and develop a soft gripper for material handling applications
  3. To design and analyze the legged robots
Current Projects

Design and Implementation of Path Planning Algorithm for Mobile Robot in Static and Dynamic Environment

Currently Mobile Robot has been widely used in examination and navigation particularly where static and dynamic environments are involved. Path planning is a crucial problem in mobile robotics. Path planning of robot refers to the determination of a path, a robot takes in order to carry out the necessary task with a given set of key parameters. To find best possible path from starting point to target point, that reduces time and distance, in a given environment, avoiding collision with obstacles is a current potential research area. The research work aims to develop the novel path planning algorithm with comprises the global, local path planning algorithm along with classical and heuristic algorithms to solve the path planning problem. The local and global path planning is used to avoid the obstacles and the heuristic algorithm is used to find the optimal path as well as reduce the computation time.

Legged Robotics – ARHex

Unmanned robots are the need of the hour as increasing world population requires exploring new caverns and space to find the needed minerals and also for managing the ever increasing rubbles and collapses due to natural and manmade causes. Legged robots gives us an advantage over conventional wheeled robots as the presence of legs help the robot to traverse difficult terrains like dense vegetation, stairs, rubble etc. The aim of this project is to increase the efficiency of the pre existing legged robots by using compliant legs. The compliant legs need only be under actuated for efficient traversing thereby reducing the power required and therefore the weight of the bot. The simulation is carried using Gazebo. Moreover, this project aims to give the robot and arm to execute various tasks as per the requirements.

TAG – 12: Logistics and Supply Chain Management

Research Areas
  • Predicting component reliability using Fuzzy/ANN/ deep learning
  • Remaining useful life prediction of engineering systems/components.
  • Application of Artificial Neural Network Techniques in Computer Aided Process planning
  • Parameter conceptualization and assessment in Greening the Supply Chain
  • Multi Criteria decision Making in Supply chain and Logistics
  • System Simulation and Analysis – Modelling and simulation of manufacturing systems in terms of layout, machine-resources, process-plan and production-plan and to visualize the results to improve the overall efficiency of the system

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