Newsletter Archives; Winter 2001
Assistant Professor Wei (Wayne) Li
Wayne Li's Expertise is in Modeling and Control of Manufacturing Processes
Wei (Wayne) Li joined the Department of Mechanical Engineering as an Assistant Professor in December 2000. He has expertise in modeling and control of manufacturing processes. Prior to joining the Department, he was a Research Fellow of the S. M. Wu Manufacturing Research Center at the University of Michigan, where he received his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering in 1999. Professor Li holds a B.S. in Precision Instrument and Mechanology from Tsinghua University and an M.S. in Manufacturing Systems from the Asian Institute of Technology.Professor Li is particularly interested in manufacturing information discovery, which is an interdisciplinary approach to effective extraction and utilization of information based on fusion of knowledge in mechanics, statistics, and systems and control. With recent advances in sensing and computing technologies, more and more information is generated in manufacturing processes and this information can be used to improve the processes continuously. Professor Li organized and chaired a Symposium on Advances in Information Discovery for Manufacturing for the 2000 International Mechanical Engineering Conference and Exposition (IMECE). The symposium has drawn significant interest from both industry and academia.
While at the University of Michigan, Professor Li was a key researcher and an associate project leader for a National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) sponsored Advanced Technology Program (ATP), "Intelligent Resistance Welding (IRW)." The objective of this program was to improve scientific understanding of the resistance welding process and to develop monitoring and control methodologies to ensure high quality welds. Professor Li developed an integrated mechanistic and statistical model and on-line algorithms for weld quality prediction, defect detection and diagnosis. He also developed a two-stage, sliding-level experimental design and analysis method for processes with parameter interdependencies. His research resulted in a design for a weld monitoring system that is being used at several industrial sites including Daimler- Chrysler Sterling Stamping Plant and General Motor Technical Center's Welding Laboratory. Currently, Professor Li is working with Sensotec Inc. to commercialize this technology.
In summer 2000, Professor Li was selected as a DaimlerChrysler Summer Intern Professor. He worked with plant engineers to implement the weld monitoring system in a production line with successful results. Upon completion of the internship, he was invited to give a presentation on the development of the monitoring system to the senior management of Chrysler's Advance Manufacturing Engineering Division.
Professor Li was also involved in a number of other research projects at the University of Michigan, one of which was ATP program on Dimensional Control of Auto Body Assembly Process (The "2mm" Project). He worked on a task to develop a laser line-scanning system for free-form surface measurements with wide applications to quality assurance of large machined surfaces and stamped parts.
As a new faculty member, Professor Li's research and teaching will focus on state of the art manufacturing processes. He will continue his research in developing integrated methodologies for manufacturing information discovery and apply them to process improvement and development. An immediate target is the assembly and joining of lightweight materials such as aluminum and high strength steel. This effort is motivated by the demand for reducing vehicle weight and improving fuel economy in the automotive industry as well as potential applications in local industries. As a teacher, Professor Li will encourage students to develop interdisciplinary skills in manufacturing information discovery. He believes that these skills will better prepare the students for the rapidly changing technical diversity of today's engineering profession. Professor Li welcomes discussions with all that are interested in his research and teaching. He can be reached at weiwli@u.washington.edu.
