Process modelling in powder metallurgy and particulate materials

摘要

While attending international PM conferences over recent years I have often been disappointed by the deficient coverage of process modelling. Despite the fact that modelling and simulation is a well established approach for improving productivity in most manufacturing processes, at PM conferences it is usually underrepresented. Unfortunately this is a reflection of very minimal employment of physically based models by PM manufacturers. Consequently, as European Organising Chairman for the Newport Beach conference, I felt the event would prove valuable for highlighting the productivity and cost benefits that process modelling can provide in nearly all areas of PM. Such a conference also provides an opportunity for the presentation of technical advances in the models themselves, through a peer appraisal process and the opportunity for cross-fertilisation of ideas. I feel that the conference was largely successful in realising these aims despite the effects of circumstances that included 11 September and the economic downturn.