Research Assistant – Closed-Loop Control in Multi-Material Additive Manufacturing

inspire AG is the leading Swiss competence center for product innovation and advanced manufacturing. As a strategic partner of ETH Zurich, our mission is to transfer knowledge and technology from research to Swiss machine, electrical and metal industries.

The research group Laser Material Processing at inspire offers in collaboration with the Advanced Manufacturing Laboratory (amlz) at ETH Zurich a position in the field of closed-loop control in additive manufacturing.

Our research group uses the additive manufacturing technology called direct energy deposition (DED) to manufacture parts, apply coatings, and repair products. In DED, a laser beam creates a melt-pool and material is added in the shape of powder or wire.

When it comes to coatings, dissimilar materials need to be joined together, such as rigid substrates and low-friction coatings. Due to different melting points, the process window that joins materials is challenging to find. Predictive temperature control by active cooling is applied to stabilize the process and avoid overheating or undercooling. This innovative technology is referred to as CoolBraze, which paves the way to join materials that otherwise cannot be joint.

• Development of a cooling nozzle design together with simulation experts
• Development and setup of a system for closed-loop temperature control by active cooling
• Development of laser process parameters and analysis of the produced coatings (e.g. bonding, porosity, cracking) together with material experts
• Transfer of the newly developed process to parts on an industrial machine

• CH/EU/EFTA citizenship or a valid work permit for Switzerland
• Master’s degree (technical university, university) in mechatronics, electrical engineering, robotics, or mechanical engineering with focus on monitoring and sensors is a must
• Excellent grades to meet the requirements for doctoral studies at ETH Zurich
• Knowledge of basics in additive manufacturing
• Willingness to learn skills in materials analysis (e.g., microscopy, hardness measurement)
• A good knowledge (written/oral) of English is mandatory. Knowledge of German is preferred
  

Required soft skills:

• Highly self-organized and structured way of working
• High motivation to learn new skills and apply them to industrial context
• High level of team-orientation and positive work attitude
• Willingness to teach (about 10%)