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SonicSMR: AI and ultrasonic enhanced additive manufacturing for modular reactors

Background

Metal additive manufacturing has gained higher interest from the nuclear sector to manufacture complex components compared to subtractive manufacturing in order to reduce the scrap rate and reduce manufacturing lead times. However, it is not fully adopted and utilised in the supply chain due to high risks of defects such as interlayer adhesion (lack of fusion) and micro/macroscale porosities, which leads to reduce the quality of components. In order to maintain high-quality products in the production line, it is also needed to monitor and identify defects as early as possible to achieve effective countermeasures.

Objectives

SonicSMR project is funded by The Energy Innovation Programme , within It aims to address these challenges using a multidisciplinary approach, coupling laser-based metal AM process with power ultrasonics, in-process optical process monitoring, process design optimisation techniques and AI-based automated defects recognition and decision support tool to achieve zero-distortion, zero-defects components manufacturing. Specifically, the project will allow to develop further expertise in AM equipment focused specifically on the manufacture of SMR metallic components.

The SonicSMR solution will offer an innovative solution and system for AM manufacturing in terms of overall productivity, quality and competitiveness through the integration of the ultrasonic system, online optical inspection systems, data interpretation AI algorithms and software, and enhanced process optimisation technique and decision support tool to produce right-first-time metal AM parts with zero distortion and >96% yield. The SonicSMR system will enable AM technology to realise its full economic potential and unlock the full design freedoms offered by AM. By addressing fundamental technical challenges in the nuclear parts and components AM application, the innovation implemented in the SonicSMR project will be beneficial across sectors.

Benefits:

The proposed innovation will result in cost reduction, higher material utilisation, improved quality assurance, product customisation and reduced design cycle times in the metal AM process. The targeted application in the SonicSMR project is the manufacturing of nuclear components especially small modular reactors parts.

Brunel Innovation Centre's role

BUL is providing the high power ultrasonic system (with full assistance in the hardware/software integration into the manufacturing process), and is leading the development of AI algorithm for defects analysis and process control with parameters optimisation.

BUL has gained an extensive expertise in the areas of power ultrasonic and AI based monitoring solutions through various applications and projects. High power sonication assisted manufacturing validated to manufacturing processes involving solidifying phase, and computer vision and machine learning for in-line inspection, automated defect recognition and process monitoring AI-based analytics and decision support tool (validated for in-line inspection of Medical MEMS and manufacturing of OLEDs, OPVS and micro-electronics).

Partners:

Laser Additive Solutions Ltd

Nuclear Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (NAMRC)

TARAZ Metrology

IVY Technology

Brunel Innovation Centre BIC