AEM Licentiate Position - Robot Path Optimisation for Paint Applications

Background
The institute for mathematical sciences at the Chalmers University of Technology and Fraunhofer-Chalmers Centre (FCC) are currently offering a position in the Advanced Engineering Mathematics (AEM) licentiate program entitled “Robot Path Optimisation for Paint Applications”. Both the institute for mathematical sciences and FCC carry out world-class research and industrial projects with a focus on using mathematics as a technology. We are currently looking for a highly motivated individual to join us in an exciting project working closely with industry to optimise industry’s automated paint processes.

Advanced Engineering Mathematics
AEM is a two-year postgraduate research programme in industrially applied mathematics. It builds on a master’s degree in mathematics, and aims at a licentiate degree in mathematics. The program is a joint effort between the Department of mathematical sciences and FCC.

Thesis Description
The position concerns the development and implementation in code of a method to automatically generate paths for a robot in an automotive paint shop. The work will look at all aspects of the path generation and spray painting process. The main goal will be to create or augment a model for the motion of a paint gun over an object in order to optimise given criteria (e.g. paint transfer efficiency, even distribution of paint, etc.). Once the model has been decided upon, an implementation in C++ code will be carried out.

Prerequisites
To be eligible for AEM, you must have obtained a master's degree or a 4-year bachelor's degree in mathematics or engineering physics.

You must also have taken courses in Fourier analysis and functional analysis. Moreover, you must also have taken advanced level courses in optimization, statistical inference and partial differential equations, corresponding to at least 30 ECTS, as these will later be included in your degree.

In addition to the general prerequisites for admission to the AEM programme, this position also requires a basic knowledge of differential geometry and a working knowledge of C++.

Knowledge of robot kinematics is an advantage, however, such knowledge is not as important as the prerequisites listed above. Knowledge of Swedish is also an advantage but not essential.

Position Summary
The position is fulltime and the research and thesis work will be carried out with the goal of achieving a licentiate degree. The majority of the student’s time will be devoted to carrying out duties related to the research project. Approximately half the student’s time will be spent on studies and institutional duties at the institute of mathematical sciences. The other half of the student’s time will be spent at FCC carrying out research on the project.

The employment will be at FCC, and limited to a maximum of two years.

Application procedure
The application should be marked with Ref 20130234 and written in English. The application should be sent electronically via Chalmers webpage.


Application deadline: 2013-10-31


For questions, please contact:
Evan Shellshear, e-mail: evan.shellshear@fcc.chalmers.se, phone +46 31-772 4237
Peter Hegarty, e-mail hegarty@chalmers.se, phone +46 31-772 5371
Bernt Wennberg, e-mail wennberg@chalmers.se, phone + 46 31-772 5326





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