About the Project
AIMTECH 4.5
Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Technologies in the Context of Industry 4.0/5.0
The proposed project envisions comprehensive research into advanced materials and manufacturing technologies in the context of Industry 4.0/5.0, with the aim of improving the design, production, and application of products in modern industrial environments. Special emphasis is placed on the application of high entropy coatings (High Entropy Alloys – HEA), whose deposition on various metal substrates using magnetron sputtering technology aims to enhance mechanical, tribological, and corrosion properties. To further improve the functional and mechanical properties of coated machine components, surface and heat treatments will be applied. The project includes the implementation and investigation of advanced manufacturing technologies such as 4-axis turn milling, 3-axis form milling, Wire Electrical Discharge Machining (WEDM), intended for machining difficult-to-process materials (such as metal foams, hard metals, composites, metals with HEA coatings, etc.), as well as robot-assisted welding. The possibility of applying alternative sustainable cooling techniques in these manufacturing processes will also be explored. The project also includes research into the applicability and efficiency of integrating Industry 4.0/5.0 elements with machine tools, assembly workstations, assembly lines, and internal logistics systems. In addition to research focused on the management and control of value-added process chains, various approaches to product quality control systems will be investigated through the integration of measuring devices and sensors.
Goals
Project Goals
The main objective of the AIMTECH 4.5 project is the analysis and demonstration of the role of advanced materials and manufacturing technologies in the development of a smart, sustainable, and adaptive industry, in accordance with the principles of Industry 4.0/5.0.
The specific objectives of the project are:
• to analyze, model, and optimize the process parameters for magnetron deposition of high-entropy coatings and films on metallic substrates
• to examine the microstructure, mechanical and corrosion properties, and wear resistance of high-entropy coatings and films on metallic substrates
• to investigate the application potential of 4-axis turn-milling, WEDM, and robot-assisted welding for processing advanced and difficult-to-machine materials such as metallic foams, hard metals, composites, and metals with HEA coatings
• to analyze, mathematically model, experimentally validate, and optimize advanced manufacturing technologies, and compare them according to defined performance criteria
• to explore the feasibility of applying alternative sustainable cooling techniques in advanced manufacturing processes
• to investigate, model, and develop a digital twin-based management system for assembly processes
• to model, develop, optimize, and experimentally validate an advanced assembly process management system with dynamic adaptation, integrating complexity indicators and both objective and subjective operator metrics
• to investigate the applicability and efficiency of Industry 4.0/5.0 elements within the production system, and to implement selected optimal systems based on data, feedback loops, and artificial intelligence
• to develop and apply digital data processing and automated decision-making based on mechanical system damage status or changes in critical process parameters
The project aims to achieve the following programmatic indicators:
1. Increase in the number of scientific publications, project proposals, and doctoral theses
2. Strengthening international scientific collaboration and research activities
3. Enhancement of human resources for scientific work
4. Improvement of research infrastructure
5. Contribution to open science through dissemination of results and data sharing
6. Development of technologies with industrial application potential and collaboration with economic stakeholders
7. Promotion of science and arts to the public
Additional objectives include: (i) development of mathematical models and digital tools for process optimization;(ii) validation of technologies under real industrial conditions;(iii) strengthening interdisciplinarity and capacity for future competitive project proposals.
Work Packages
Work Packages
Project Team
Project Team
Project Leader: Prof. Sonja Jozić, PhD
Contact
Contact
For all enquiries related to the AIMTECH 4.5 project, please contact the project leader:
Prof. Sonja Jozić, PhD Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Naval Architecture University of Split Ruđera Boškovića 32, 21000 Split, Croatia
E-mail: Sonja.Jozic@fesb.hr