About this Abstract |
| Meeting |
2027 TMS Annual Meeting & Exhibition
|
| Symposium
|
AI-Enabled Materials Processing: Integrating Accelerated Experimental Workflows and Processing-Aware Machine Learning
|
| Presentation Title |
Autonomous Arc Melting for High-Throughput Alloy Synthesis |
| Author(s) |
Janith C. Wanni, Benjamin Neuman, Saryu Fensin |
| On-Site Speaker (Planned) |
Saryu Fensin |
| Abstract Scope |
Rapid alloy discovery requires scalable synthesis methods that minimize manual intervention while maintaining flexibility across diverse compositions. We present a prototype autonomous arc melting platform capable of producing a new alloy in approximately 40 minutes through robotic automation of the synthesis workflow. The system integrates automated elemental dispensing with a robotic manipulator that interfaces with a commercial off-the-shelf arc melter through a communication framework requiring minimal hardware modification. This approach enables continuous, unattended operation with the potential for 24/7 alloy production while preserving the functionality of conventional laboratory equipment. The current prototype demonstrates reliable autonomous execution of the synthesis workflow and provides a foundation for future closed-loop materials discovery. Ongoing development incorporates machine vision to monitor melt quality, button formation, and process anomalies, enabling adaptive control and autonomous decision-making during melting. This platform represents a practical pathway toward autonomous alloy synthesis laboratories using commercially available equipment. |
| Proceedings Inclusion? |
Planned: |
| Keywords |
Characterization, High-Entropy Alloys, Machine Learning |