Cranfield Graduates - Team Spotlight

To continually push the boundaries of 3D metal printing requires a team of highly trained engineers. This is possible at WAAM3D, thanks to the strong link the company has with Cranfield University. Dr Jialuo Ding is CTO at WAAM3D and also continues her R&D work at the university. Dr Filomeno Martina, CEO of WAAM3D, set up the first ever MSc in Metal Additive Manufacturing, which is taught at Cranfield. It is due to this MSc that some of the leading talent in 3D metal printing now works for WAAM3D.

So, let’s introduce you to some of the highly talented WAAM3D engineers - Aravindh Kumaran and Parthiban Raja:

Why travel across the world to do a Masters in Metal Additive Manufacturing at Cranfield University?

Aravindh: After doing an M.Tech in Manufacturing Engineering at VIT University in Tamil Nadu, I worked in industry for 3 years and then decided to specialise. During my first Masters, I had seen the huge amount of material that is lost during the production process and the environmental and raw material benefits of AM near-net shape component creation. This was a key motivator for me choosing to do a second Masters in Metal Additive Manufacturing at Cranfield.

Parthiban: After my Bachelor degree I worked in an automotive company for 3 years, developing the castings process for new products. After that, similar to Aravindh, I did an M.Sc, however mine was in Manufacturing Systems and Engineering, at NTU Singapore. I subsequently worked in the 3D printing industry for another 3 years and focused on plastic 3D printing services, but I wanted to specialise in metal 3D printing. To gain experience in this area I applied to do the Masters in Metal Additive Manufacturing at Cranfield.

Both Aravindh and Parthiban joined WAAM3D from Cranfield University in October 2022 and are Additive Manufacturing Engineers.

How long have you been at WAAM3D and what does your job entail?

Aravindh: My day-to-day focus is on process development, and I try out new materials and develop and test optimum process parameters. I also provide input and support for the hardware and software teams and see where improvements can be made.

Parthiban: My focus is on developing new processes and technologies and testing them. At present I’m providing solutions for a mining sector customer, who is interested in exploring the potential of WAAM for repairing components. I’m also helping develop the CWMIG® process.  

What do you love and what are the challenges about your job?

Aravindh: WAAM is a new and quickly developing field. This creates both challenges and opportunities and opens the door to a lot of testing and going back to the fundamentals and asking, ‘are we doing this properly?’ Keeping my knowledge updated and connecting complex issues together to get a good result, that is what keeps me engaged in the process.

Parthiban: For me it is the daily challenges - every new requirement from the customer is unique, and every time we work to obtain a feasible solution it involves doing something differently. This means we have to keep up to speed with the latest research papers across a wide range of domains and gain knowledge. Overall, the job is challenging and exciting.

What is your proudest achievement in the time you have been at WAAM3D?

Aravindh: I am extremely proud to be involved in the new CWMIG® process. At present I am optimising the process and completing commercialisation-related phases.

Parthiban: I am very proud of the solutions I have been developing with our mining sector customer and also the contributions I have made to the CWMIG® development project.

What are your hobbies?

Aravindh: I love computers, so over the years I have spent quite a bit of time programming. I also love films and my favourite genre is horror.

Parthiban: Can I say that spending time with wife and family is my favourite ‘hobby’? I also enjoy cooking Indian food, watching films, and doing charcoal portrait sketching. I also like playing tennis, but that depends on the English weather!

What is your favourite food?

Aravindh: It has to be eating the South Indian (especially Ambur - a place in Tamil Nadu, India) biriyani', as that is where I’m from!

Parthiban: My favourite is Mutton Biryani – especially from Talapakatti (a restaurant chain). They do lamb biriyani here in the UK, but it just isn’t the same.

If you have a project that our team can help with, get in touch.

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