The Center for Friction Stir Processing
From Center for Friction Stir Processing Guide
The Center for Friction Stir Processing (CFSP) is a multi-site I/UCRC (Industry/University Collaborative Research Center) with a mission directed toward furthering research in friction stir processing. Each IUCRC must establish a vision, a mission statement, and a list of objectives. An excellent discussion of these terms, and how to create a vision, mission statement, and objectives, is defined in [Gray & Walters]. To summarize, the vision is the statement of purpose for the center – it’s reason for being, or how it hopes to impact the future. “The vision, an idea of a possible future to achieve, is probably the most important ingredient in a successful strategy”[p.111]. The mission statement defines the goals for the center in broad terms. Gray & Walters note a mission statement should contain four elements : who, what, means, and participants. For the CFSP : who : the CFSP what : To advance, develop and promote research into the principles and technology of Friction Stir Processing science and engineering; to increase the number of professionals in this area; and to make FSP a globally competitive technology means : research, development, education, and technology exchange participants : academic (including faculty and students), industry, and government entities The objectives are process-oriented and measurable, defining how the center will achieve the goals set forth in the mission statement. Each of the defining statement about the center was developed with the participation of all partners in the center. A meeting of partners was convened to propose possible elements for inclusion which were then discussed until a consensus was reached. This implies that the partner universities and industrial partners were identified and had committed to participating in the center very early in the planning process. Although these three statements form the foundation of the center, they are not static and must be reviewed at the IAB meetings. The CFSP vision, mission statement, and objectives are listed below for reference.
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CFSP Vision
The Center for Friction Stir Processing (CFSP) vision is to provide the forum for industry/university cooperative research on the further development, validation, and industrial implementation of the emerging solid-state materials joining and processing technologies known as Friction Stir Welding (FSW) and Friction Stir Processing (FSP).
CFSP I/UCRC Mission Statement
The Mission of the NSF Center for Friction Stir Processing is:
- To advance, develop and promote research into the principles and technology of Friction Stir Processing science and engineering through research, development, education, and technology exchange among academic, industry, and government entities;
- To increase the quantity and quality of the professionals prepared to work in the area;
- To involve the faculty of the University(s) in research in areas of common interest to Sponsors and the University(s);
- To perform research that will allow global Friction Stir Processing facilities to be competitive in the world economy
CFSP Research Objectives
The overall objective of the Center is to develop and deliver relevant scientific knowledge that will help its industrial members with future challenges. Center programs are designed to complement the members’ in-house research and development in the area of friction stir processing by bringing together theoretical, experimental and application experts from industry and academia. The specific objectives focused on the following:
- Friction Stir Joining: Process optimization (parameters, pin tool materials, pin tool designs); process modeling (thermal, forces, metal flow, residual stress, distortion, microstructure evolution); microstructural characterizations; property characterizations (tensile, fatigue, fracture, creep, corrosion); nondestructive evaluations; new alloy development.
- Friction Stir Microstructural Modification: Induced superplasticity; grain refinement; sub-micron and nano particle injection; defect removal.
- Friction Stir Post –Processing: Heat treatment; forming (stretch, spin, age, and creep); machining; finishing.
- Friction Stir Structural Designs and Applications: replacement of fusion welds and rivets; static and dynamic response of structures; efficient design and analysis methodologies.
- Friction Stir Intelligent Controllers and Efficient Tooling: Process sensors; logic-based controllers; reconfigurable tooling.
- Friction Stir Cost Benefits Analysis: Business case development and environmental impact assessments.
During the Planning Grant process of the CFSP, each potential industry sponsor identified focused research directions for the center that fit into their research resources. The university members then discussed their capabilities – equipment, availability of faculty with desired expertise, external relationships that could be explored – and the group found the optimal match between research initiatives and university capabilities at each site. Programs were then developed along the lines of the identified focused research areas at each site.
Center Structure
Overall Center Structure
There are several possible models for overall structure of an I/UCRC. One model is for sponsors to fund the center as a whole. The model chosen by the CFSP is for sponsors to fund particular sites. This way, a sponsor can attach itself more closely to particular projects at a particular site. A sponsor does have the option of having multiple memberships at several sites if it is willing to provide funding for each membership.
