Masaaki OTSU
Papers
2
Total Citations
22
H-Index
2
About
Masaaki Otsu has pioneered the development of advanced incremental forming methods for carbon fiber reinforced thermoplastics (CFRTP), a critical material for lightweight, high-strength applications. His key research area centers on optical-heating-assisted incremental forming, a novel technique that integrates robotic control with targeted thermal energy to shape CFRTP sheets without the need for expensive dies or molds. In his foundational 2017 work, Otsu introduced the concept of spot-forming using an optical heating system, demonstrating how a vertically articulated robot can precisely position and form the material. His most cited paper (2018, 17 citations) expanded this into a two-dimensional sheet-fed forming process, detailing the forming characteristics and validating the method’s feasibility for practical manufacturing. Otsu’s contributions are significant for enabling flexible, cost-effective production of CFRTP components, addressing a key challenge in the automotive and aerospace industries. With a growing citation impact, his work is recognized for bridging the gap between traditional incremental forming and the specialized requirements of thermoplastic composites, offering a scalable solution for next-generation lightweight structures.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
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- 2