1Project overview
Graduate research developing 3D printing and sintering processes for ceramic-polymer heat shields that protect aerospace parts at extreme temperatures.
2Objective
Improve dimensional accuracy and print consistency for ceramic parts used in high-temperature applications.
3My role
- Run designed experiments (DOE) on temperature, speed, and sintering settings.
- Measure density and dimensional change, with microscopy checks.
- Analyze 10,000+ thermal images and process data points per prototype to trace process deviation.
- Built a Python tool that sorts thermal images by print layer against temperature logs.
- Developing a model to predict part changes during sintering.
4Engineering approach
Designed experiments
DOE on print temperature, speed, and sintering settings.
Measurement
Density and dimensional change after sintering, with microscopy checks.
Thermal analytics
Thermal images matched to each print layer and its temperature log to find where the process drifts.
Automation
Python tooling replaced manual sorting and processing of image data.
5Analysis and visuals
Image to add: Thermal image sequence or micrograph
A layer-by-layer thermal image or a micrograph of a sintered part.
6Results and impact
- ~80%less manual data-processing time
- 10,000+data points per prototype
Faster, data-driven process development with a repeatable link between print settings and part quality.