Dr Andrew Pinkerton
Laser processing

Andrew Pinkerton has researched laser processing and modelling for 10 years at The University of Manchester. Originally specialising in analytical modelling, he is currently leading EC FP7 and international industry funded projects into laser cladding. He is author and co-author of over 100 papers in these fields.
Two aspects of his work at the moment are developing end-to-end models of metal deposition processes and developing a technique to make powder cladding processes more cost-effective. The former uses linked-FE-CFD approaches to allow all gas- and liquid-phase flows to be captured but ultimately represent the result as microstructure and stress distributions as well as the final geometry of the clad.  The latter replaces costly gas-atomised powder with machining swarf; adapting the process parameters to compensate for the changes in process thermodynamics.
Although laser processing and modelling are my specialty it is certainly not my only interest. Working as an Editorial Board member for Surface Engineering I come across a wide range of fascinating papers.

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