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About

Thomas Bergs is a manufacturing engineering researcher whose work centers on robotic automation, surface finishing, and advanced manufacturing process optimization. His research addresses one of the most persistent challenges in modern industrial production: the automation of complex, labor-intensive finishing processes traditionally dependent on skilled manual labor, particularly within the mould and die making industry. Bergs has made notable contributions to robotic polishing and grinding systems, developing reconfigurable robotic solutions and model predictive force control strategies that bring precision and repeatability to tasks previously considered too complex to automate. His most-cited work (21 citations) directly tackles the global skills shortage and outsourcing pressures facing the mould sector. He has also advanced understanding of surface integrity in high-performance materials, investigating how processes such as machine hammer peening affect bearing steels like AISI 52100 and stainless steel AISI 304, with implications for component fatigue life and reliability. More recently, Bergs has expanded into additive manufacturing, exploring automation strategies for Laser Powder Bed Fusion process chains and designing additively manufactured robotic gripper components for cell production environments. Collectively, his work bridges intelligent robotics, precision surface engineering, and Industry 4.0 manufacturing paradigms, making meaningful contributions to the future of automated, flexible production systems.