ICMIMT 2020 Keynote Speakers

KEYNOTE SPEAKER I IN ICMIMT 2025

Fellow of IEEE, IISE, ASME, HKIE, IET and CILT
Prof. George Q. Huang, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, China

George Q. Huang joined Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University as Chair Professor of Smart Manufacturing and Director of PolyU Research Institute of Advanced Manufacturing (RIAM). George graduated from Southeast University (China) with BEng and Cardiff University (UK) with PhD degrees respectively. George has been working on smart manufacturing ever since his PhD study and continued and expanded into smart logistics and smart construction with substantial research grants from governments and industries. He published extensively in the related fields and his works have been widely cited with the research community. He served as senior / department / area / regional / associate editors and on editorial boards of more than a dozen of reputable journals. George is Chartered Engineer (CEng), Fellow of IEEE, ASME, IISE, IET, CILT and HKIE.

Speech Title: In Search of Breakthroughs for High-Performance Cyber-Physical Smart Manufacturing

Abstract: The talk is about our search for an Industry 4.0 intelligent factory following a formal computer architecture and operating system. By so doing, computer hardware and software techniques can be adapted for high-performance factory production management. The breakthrough is achieved through a trilogy of innovations: (1) digitizing a factory with smart IoT devices into a “factory computer” (iFactory); (2) innovating iFactory visibility and traceability (VT) to enable “look around” techniques just as used in the “Out of Order Execution (OoOE)” algorithm by CPUs (Central Processing Units); and (3) developing novel models for iFactory shopfloor operations management. The iFactory architecture provides new opportunities to explore and study factory uncertainties through cyber-physical visibility and spatial-temporal traceability, and to develop brand-new data-driven decision models for factory operations planning, scheduling and execution. iFactory demonstrates a new approach to implement Industry 4.0 smart manufacturing systems for high performance, responsiveness and resilience.

Prof. Udochukwu B. Akuru, Tshwane University of Technology, South Africa

Udochukwu B. Akuru obtained the Ph.D. degree in Electrical Engineering from Stellenbosch University, South Africa, in 2017. He was a postdoctoral research fellow at Stellenbosch University from 2018 to 2019. He started lecturing in the Department of Electrical Engineering, Tshwane University of Technology, South Africa, since 2020. He is a Senior Member of IEEE, Senior Member of SAIEE, South Africa National Research Foundation (NRF) rated researcher, and volunteer to various societies, committees and groups such as IEEE IAS EMC and IEEE IES EMTC. His field of expertise is in magnet-free or magnetless electrical machines design for renewable energy applications. He is a TWAS-DFG Research Fellow and an Associate Editor of IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON INDUSTRY APPLICATIONS. Dr. Akuru also serves as current Chair: IEEE South Africa Section.

Speech Title: Magnet-Free or Magnet-Less Electrical Machines for Low-Cost Renewable Energy Devices

Abstract: Renewable energy facilitates reduction in fossil fuel resources, environmental sustainability, cleaner energy solutions and economic development, among others. The growing deployment of renewable energy technologies in terms of wind power generation, electrified transportation, as well as the development of modern electricity grids, require the development and application of high torque density electrical machines which depend on the usage of rare-earth permanent magnet (PM) materials due to their high torque density and efficiency. However, PMs are associated with ecological damage from resource extraction, as well as high costs and risk of demagnetization. Recently, there has been the emergence of innovative brushless, stator-excited electrical machines which eliminates the need for PM materials as well as brushes and slip rings, while also offering flux regulation, and are very promising for renewable energy devices. In this presentation, some insights on the analytic and computer-aided design, performance evaluation and optimization, as well as smart manufacturing techniques of these emerging electrical machines for magnet-free or magnet-less designs will be provided. The presentation will highlight the development of novel topologies, as well as scalability studies, prototyping and experimentation which I have so far embarked. To facilitate their future industrial uptake, I will identify some showstoppers for driving future research and increased technological readiness of these electrical machines. To conclude, I will then show how the cost and performance competitiveness of these electrical machine could be translated into commercially viable products which contribute to economic growth and sustainable energy solutions.

Prof. Richard (Chunhui) Yang, Western Sydney University, Australia

Prof Yang is an internationally recognized research leader on fields of research include Advanced Manufacturing, Additive Manufacturing (3D printing) of metals, polymers and composites, Advanced Engineering Materials & Structures, Circular Manufacturing & Circular Economy, Defence Technology, Industry 4.0, Machine Condition Monitoring (MCM) & Structural Health Monitoring (SHM), Metal Forming, Metal Surface Treatment, etc. He has been awarded over AUD$16m in competitive research grants, including 13 ARC grants (1 ARC Training Centre, 3 DPs, 3 Linkages, and 6 LIEFs), 2 CSIRO/NSF Convergence Accelerator on recycled plastic waste as well as more than 20 from government and/or industry. As for scientific publication, he has published more than 300 high-quality technical publications in top scientific journals, books, and conferences as a major contributor in his relevant fields of research across Mechanical, Mechatronic, Manufacturing, Materials, Aerospace, Civil, Defence, etc. As for external service, he is serving as assessor for Australian Research Council (ARC), editor board member, conference committee member, reviewer of international journals and conferences, examiner for Master and PhD thesis, etc. He is Editor-in-Chief of 2 scientific journals, Associate Editor of 2, and on the Editorial Board of 5. He has been on the ANSHM Executive and the Editor of ANSHM Newsletter since 2016.

Speech Title:  Study on mechanical behaviours and surface roughness of 3D printed PLA using fused filament fabrication

Abstract: Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) is one of the innovative 3D printing technologies for fabricating complex components and products. Material properties and suface roughness of 3D-printed components mostly depend on intricate process parameters of 3D printing. This study experimentally investigates the effects of four key process parameters, including layer thickness, raster angle, feed rate, and nozzle temperature, on the tensile properties and surface roughness of FFF printed Polylactic Acid (PLA), and their failure mechanisms. The experimental results demonstrate that tensile strength improves up to 10 and 7% with increasing nozzle temperature (200 °C to 220 °C) and low feed rate (60 mm/sec to 40 mm/sec) during the 3D printing process. The tensile strength increases up to 12% with decreasing layer thickness (0.4 mm to 0.2 mm) and 40% with decreasing raster angle (90° to 0°).  The surface roughness of the FFF printed PLA samples is found to be influenced by those key FFF process parameters too and an improvement in surface roughness is observed with the increase of nozzle temperature and reduction on feed rate.

Prof Khaled Abou-El-Hossein, Vaal University of Technology, South Africa

Prof Abou-El-Hossein is a distinguished academic leader who currently serves as the Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Technology at Vaal University of Technology. With an impressive tenure of over 24 years in academia, he has made substantial contributions to the field of mechanical, mechatronics engineering, and advanced high-precision manufacturing. Having held administrative positions such as Head of Engineering Departments and Director of the School of Engineering at various prestigious universities in Malaysia and South Africa, Prof Abou-El-Hossein possesses extensive experience in academic administration. His leadership skills and expertise have played a crucial role in the development and success of engineering education at these institutions.
Prof Abou-El-Hossein's research expertise lies in the manufacturing of aerospace components, with a particular focus on high-precision optics. His profound knowledge and hands-on experience in this area have propelled advancements in manufacturing technologies, especially in the aerospace sector. Additionally, he has a keen interest in additive manufacturing, constantly exploring innovative applications and techniques within this rapidly evolving field. Furthermore, Prof Abou-El-Hossein has actively engaged in design projects involving power generation from focused sun rays, utilizing oil and water steam. His involvement in these projects highlights his interdisciplinary approach and commitment to developing sustainable and efficient energy solutions.
Throughout his career, Prof Abou-El-Hossein has been recognized for his outstanding academic achievements, research contributions, and dedication to student mentorship. He is current holding a prestigious rating from South Africa National Research Foundation. His passion for advancing engineering and technology, combined with his expertise in manufacturing, optics, additive manufacturing, and renewable energy, solidifies his standing as a respected and influential figure in the academic community.

Speech Title: Ultra-High Precision Machining of Optical Mould Inserts

Abstract: Metal cutting techniques that result in surface roughness in the ranges of few nanometres and form accuracy in the sub-micron region are categorised as ultra-high precision machining (UHPM). In this technology, diamond inserts are used to shape components from various non-ferrous materials by lathe operation. These components are usually optical objects such as flats, convex and concave lenses made from aluminium, copper alloys, silicon, germanium, etc. Diamond turning can also be used to produce mould inserts for plastic optics injections. Optical injection moulds are usually made from high strength aluminium such as AA 6061 and beryllium copper alloys. These materials are easily machined by diamond tools. However, for high requirements mould inserts used for glass moulding, the mould inserts must be made from ultra-hard materials such as tungsten and silicon carbides. UHPM of these materials can be achieved using ultra-high precision grinding spindles. This presentation will highlight the capabilities of precision engineering when making optics and mould insert manufacturing. Optical components, including freeform, with form accuracy of about 0.1 um and surface roughness of 1 nm can be produced with diamond machining. Currently, we are busy investigating the process of diamond turning when machining a special grade of aluminium produced by rapid solidification and spin melting. This aluminium grade which enjoys elevated tensile strength (600 MPa) can be used as a mould material for injecting plastic optics.