Master Thesis - Non-destructive Evaluation of Additive Manufactured Products

The combination of people with expertise and the energy to drive transformation makes Manufacturing Development (MD) the global enabler for transformation in manufacturing. You will embark on this journey together with colleagues in MD tasked to transform and equip the SKF Group Manufacturing footprint with lean, clean, and digital solutions that bring competitive advantage through improved manufacturing performance.

Master Thesis
Non-destructive Evaluation of Additive manufactured products

Introduction 
We are looking for one or two students with materials, physics or manufacturing engineering background. It is required to have experience or keen interest to develop within the area of Non-destructive testing. 

Purpose
Additive manufacturing (AM) has revolutionized the production landscape, enabling the creation of complex geometries and tailored materials across various industries. Among the prominent techniques, Directed Energy Deposition (DED) stands out, utilizing lasers as energy source and powder as material feedstock to achieve precise and efficient layer-by-layer construction. Additionally, Electron Powder Bed Fusion (E-PBF) offers unique opportunity to process difficult to print materials, leveraging high-energy electron beams for the additive fabrication of metal components.

Despite the advancements in AM technologies, ensuring the quality and integrity of additively manufactured components, remains a significant challenge. This master thesis focuses on addressing these challenges by non-destructive testing (NDT) methodologies. Ultrasonic testing (UT) is based on sending ultrasonic waves through objects and can be used to detect, characterize, and locate reflectors inside components. 

This project will have access to advanced NDT experimental equipment as well as simulation software. By investigating the application of NDT techniques, focusing on UT on DED and E-PBF-fabricated parts, several research questions will be explored:

1.    What are the limitations in terms of UT on additively manufactured components containing for example pores, lack-of-fusions or other internal defects?
2.    Can advanced Ultrasonic array techniques be used to characterize defects i e. estimate their size, shape and location?
3.    How does the as-printed or heat treated microstructure formed in post-print treatments such as HIP, affect the detection capabilities?
4.    How can UT simulations be used to optimize and validate the NDT procedure?

Time frame
The thesis covers 30 credits/ 20 weeks and begins mid-January 2025.

Location  
This project will be performed jointly at SKF in Gothenburg and Division of Mechanical Engineering at Högskolan Väst.

Further questions and how to apply
Please send your application, including CV, no later than 2024-11-30. If you have any questions, please contact hr.support@skf.com.