Paradigm Shift in Materials Processing - The Intelligent Processing Revolution

During the last several decades, the importance of materials processing in the control of microstructure and materials properties has been recognized and, accordingly, the materials engineering community has dedicated much effort to studying the physics of the process. These endeavors have provided an understanding of the phenomena which are relevant. However, a paradigm shift is taking place in that the physics oriented approach to materials processing is being replaced by a control oriented approach. What is needed today is the ability to control the process and, thus, the trajectory of the controllable variables in a temporal space. Such a knowledge based approach to materials processing which requires understanding, sensors, and controls is the revolution taking place in the materials engineering field. The essence is a process which can learn and develop "intelligence" as it progresses. This address will present and discuss the basis and the need for a knowledge based approach to materials processing. Furthermore, specific industrial examples will be given to illustrate implementation of intelligent processing. Finally, the challenges ahead and the impediments we face as a community will also be addressed. Article published online by EDP Sciences and available at http://dx.doi.org/10.1051/jp4:19937173 1110 JOURNAL DE PHYSIQUE IV