Papers
7
Total Citations
571
H-Index
6
About
Thomas R. Kurfess is a leading figure in advanced manufacturing, with key research spanning additive manufacturing, robotics, and intelligent automation for Industry 4.0. His seminal 2018 paper on habilitating technologies for Industry 4.0 and smart manufacturing has garnered over 300 citations, establishing foundational frameworks for the field. Kurfess made significant contributions to large-scale metal additive manufacturing, introducing design rules for Metal Big Area Additive Manufacturing (2019, 117 citations). Earlier, he pioneered force-controlled robotic grinding systems, developing predictive control methods and dynamic models for automated weld bead removal (1990, 66 citations; 1988, 45 citations). His work on adaptive path planning for coverage in known environments (2019) and collision-avoidance strategies for CNC milling (2020) further demonstrates his breadth in manufacturing automation. Kurfess’s research has profoundly impacted both academic theory and industrial practice, enabling more efficient, precise, and autonomous manufacturing processes. His achievements include leadership roles at major institutions and contributions to national manufacturing initiatives, cementing his reputation as a transformative force in modern production technology.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
- 1
- 2Introduction to the design rules for Metal Big Area Additive Manufacturing117 citations · 2019
- 3Development and Control of an Automated Robotic Weld Bead Grinding System66 citations · 1990
- 4Verification of a Dynamic Grinding Model45 citations · 1988
- 5
- 6Predictive Control of a Robotic Grinding System12 citations · 1992
- 7