[BK Seminar] July 14 (Tue) Prof. Jihyun Lee (University of Calgary, Canada) "Robotic Machining and Mechatronics for Intelligent Manufacturing"

We ask for the active interest and participation of all members of the Department of Mechanical Engineering.

▣ Topic: Robotic Machining and Mechatronics for Intelligent Manufacturing

▣ Speaker: Prof. Jihyun Lee

▣ Affiliation: University of Calgary, Canada

▣ Date and Time: Tuesday, July 14, 2026, at 11:00 a.m.

▣ Location: Room A205, Engineering Building 1

▣ Invited by: Professor Byung-Kwon Min

▣ Abstract

Industrial robots are widely used in manufacturing for tasks such as loading and unloading, assembly, welding, and cutting, due to their flexibility, long reach, multiple degrees of freedom, and ability to perform repetitive tasks efficiently at low cost. However, their application is still limited to low-load, low-contact-force operations because of their low structural rigidity. This limitation often results in vibrations during high-speed movement or heavy cutting, which increases processing time and reduces surface finish quality. If effective hardware and software solutions can be developed to allow robots to withstand larger contact forces, the potential applications could greatly expand to include humanoid robots capable of machining and heavy-duty factory automation systems.

This seminar introduces several research efforts aimed at addressing these challenges. First, a novel parallel-serial robotic architecture, called a “cable-assisted robotic system,” has been developed to improve structural rigidity. Second, new methods have been proposed to predict cutting forces and compensate for static deflection in robotic milling operations. Third, an innovative fast-chirp centrifugal force excitation technique enables the identification of joint dynamic parameters during robot motion. Finally, Dr. Lee will present collaborative projects with the manufacturing industry that apply mechatronics to process automation. Together, these efforts highlight a comprehensive approach to enhancing the performance and applicability of industrial robots in advanced manufacturing.