[Ieee_vis_open_positions] Postdoctoral fellow and masters of applied science positions at ETS, Montreal, Canada

[Eric Paquette]

We are seeing candidates (postdoctoral fellow and masters of applied 
science) for R&D on the development of software solutions to optimize 
objects and toolpaths for computer aided design (CAD). This project, 
conducted at École de technologie supérieure, Montreal, Canada, aims to 
develop optimization tools in C++ using the Open Cascade library. The 
goal is to reduce errors between a computer-aided design (CAD) modeled 
object and a manufactured object. The entire project will employ three 
strategies to minimize errors: (1) optimizing object surfaces, (2) 
optimizing cuts, and (3) optimizing filling. The first strategy (surface 
optimization) will focus on the 3D errors measured between a CAD object 
and the same object built by additive manufacturing. To compensate for 
errors, we will create a second (morphed) version that, once built, will 
result in an object closer to the desired geometry. To achieve this, we 
will deform the surfaces of the new object to compensate for the errors. 
This deformation will be obtained through a minimization approach (such 
as gradient descent or linear least squares) and will use measured 
deviations as input. The challenge will be to maintain a rich and 
continuous representation of the surfaces while proposing an efficient 
algorithm that minimizes computation costs. The second strategy involves 
developing a system to effectively visualize surfaces, cuts, optimized 
objects, etc. The project will identify and implement the most relevant 
cutting methods related to additive manufacturing processes. Then we 
will optimize the positioning of cuts considering the characteristics of 
additives manufacturing processes, such as incremental forming. Taking 
into account the manufacturing process characteristics and the targeted 
number of cuts, this approach will optimize the parameters of the 
cutting method to mitigate precision problems. The optimization will be 
coupled with process simulations by the NRC for predicting geometric 
errors. The third strategy focuses on optimizing filling for 
deposition-based manufacturing processes. The project will consider cold 
spray deposition processes of metallic powders, which can be modeled by 
scanning a Gaussian distribution. Variability in Gaussian size due to 
feed-rate variations from the controller will be factored to address the 
resulting errors through optimization loops. Multiple deposition passes 
with tool orientation variations will be considered to compensate for 
material shortages in the Gaussian's periphery. The recruited 
individuals will focus on one or more of these three strategies based on 
their profile and expertise.

Expected candidate: The ideal candidate has some knowledge of computer 
graphics and is a capable C++ programmer. Knowledge related to CAD 
modeling, Open Cascade, OpenGL or Direct3D, spline and NURBS surfaces, 
numerical optimization or Python are also interesting assets.

Funding: A scholarship is available and will be adjusted to the 
candidate’s profile.

Start date: Summer / fall 2024, winter 2025

Additional information: While ÉTS is a French speaking engineering 
school, all of the courses and the thesis can be done in English. 
Montréal is quite bilingual and someone who knows English and very basic 
French can do all of their day-to-day activities without any problem.

Contact person:
Eric Paquette
eric.paquette at etsmtl.ca
https://profs.etsmtl.ca/epaquette/

-- 

Eric Paquette, Ph.D., ing. (he/him), Professeur Régulier
http://profs.etsmtl.ca/epaquette/
eric.paquette at etsmtl.ca
Directeur du programme de maîtrise en TI
Département de génie logiciel et des TI
École de technologie supérieure
1100, rue Notre-Dame OuestMontréal, Québec, Canada, H3C 1K3
Tel. : +1 (514) 396-8587