Research summary
Commonly used in industry and engineering, additive manufacturing (AM) creates objects by adding material layer by layer. At the consumer level, it’s more commonly called 3D printing. Laser-based metal AM is transforming industries by enabling the creation of complex parts with greater efficiency and customization. But integrating these technologies into large-scale production involves challenges around quality control, sustainability and supply chain reliability.
Dr. Ehsan Toyserkani, Canada Research Chair in Intelligent Multi-Scale Additive Manufacturing, is advancing intelligent systems for metal AM processes to prepare them for serial production. He and his research team are developing AI-driven quality assurance algorithms that can detect anomalies during manufacturing to ensure reliable, high-quality components, particularly for aerospace, automotive, defence, and natural resources applications. They are also integrating lifecycle assessment into AM. Their work promises to contribute to Canada’s supply chain resilience and provide industry-ready solutions that support the transition to sustainable, large-scale AM.