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Full-Text Articles in Mechanical Engineering

Energy Expenditure Analysis Of Redesigned Mechanical Assists For Medium Girder Bridge, Karthik Kumar Jan 2010

Energy Expenditure Analysis Of Redesigned Mechanical Assists For Medium Girder Bridge, Karthik Kumar

Masters Theses

"U.S. Army bridge crew soldiers perform tough manual material handling (MMH) tasks during the assembly of a Medium Girder Bridge (MGB). The bridge parts are very heavy and are manually lifted from pallets, carried to the construction site and assembled with other bridge parts. An energy expenditure study on the soldiers handling the bridge parts revealed that the energy expenditure rate of the soldiers exceeds the NIOSH prescribed safety limit of 3.5 Kcal/min. This leads to high risk of musculoskeletal disorders. The study deals with modifying the first redesign of mechanical assists for medium girder bridge (MGB) and studying the …


Simulation Of Pem Fuel Cells: Validation Of Model And Incorporation Of Humidity Dynamics, Steven Francis Rodgers Jan 2010

Simulation Of Pem Fuel Cells: Validation Of Model And Incorporation Of Humidity Dynamics, Steven Francis Rodgers

Masters Theses

"Fuel cell technologies have been receiving increased attention by industry and researchers due to growing societal and inevitable economic pressures to find an alternative for fossil fuels. At the forefront of this is the demand for fuel cell models: models to elucidate fundamental physical phenomena underlying fuel cell function and models that are not computationally demanding yet reasonably accurate to allow designers to incorporate fuel cells into consumer products. One of the latter type has recently been developed based on a software package that is already in widespread use in the automotive industry for the simulation of mechanical, thermal, electrical, …


Finite Element Analysis And Fatigue Test On The Bicuspids To Support Theory Of Abfraction, Madhuchandra Mahadevaswamy Jan 2010

Finite Element Analysis And Fatigue Test On The Bicuspids To Support Theory Of Abfraction, Madhuchandra Mahadevaswamy

Masters Theses

"Abfraction is a small crack or notch found at the cervical areas of a teeth due to the loss of enamel tissues in the teeth. Proposed explanations for are that it is caused by toothbrush abrasion, acid erosion, and the mechanical forces applied on the teeth due to chewing, biting, tongue activity. There is disagreement among dentists as to the primary causes of abfraction. Some dentists believe that abfraction is caused by toothbrush abrasion and erosion due to acidic food and drinks. Other dentists believe that tensile and compressive forces acting on the teeth from non-axial, cyclical loading over an …


Evaluation Of Metal Detection Audio Alert Signals Of An/Pss-14 By Means Of Real Time Visualization, Sandesh Srikantaiah Chandrashekar Jan 2010

Evaluation Of Metal Detection Audio Alert Signals Of An/Pss-14 By Means Of Real Time Visualization, Sandesh Srikantaiah Chandrashekar

Masters Theses

"The sweep arm of the AN/PSS-14 Landmine Detector attached to an independent visualization device will transform the AN/PSS-14 into a hand-held data acquisition system for conversion of real time MD and GPR audio alert signals into captured visual trace displays on an on-board PDA computer screen so that momentary sounds of millisecond durations can be captured and displayed for visual scrutiny and interpretation by analytical on-board data processing procedures. This is a part of a two-man team that is developing a visual data adapter for the AN/PSS-14 Landmine Detector where the current thesis is concentrating only on MD audio alerts. …


A Real-Time Visualization Of An/Pss-14 Audio Alert Signals For Land Mine Detection Validation, Nitin Kolekar Jan 2010

A Real-Time Visualization Of An/Pss-14 Audio Alert Signals For Land Mine Detection Validation, Nitin Kolekar

Masters Theses

"The central idea of the current research is visualization of audio alerts from AN/PSS-14. A visualization device connected to the arm of PSS-14 will show real-time display of MD and GPR Audio Alert signals from PSS-14. This visualization device displays both amplitude-time and spectral frequency-time formats of the signals. The latter format achieves visual separation of combined, simultaneous, MD and GPR alerts. The joint occurrence of MD and GPR signals in a specific time window confirms the presence of landmine. This window is defined by the time of occurrence of MD peak and time of occurrence GPR diffraction from onset …


Thermodynamic Based Modeling For Nonlinear Control Of Combustion Phasing In Hcci Engines, Joshua Bradley Bettis Jan 2010

Thermodynamic Based Modeling For Nonlinear Control Of Combustion Phasing In Hcci Engines, Joshua Bradley Bettis

Masters Theses

"Low temperature combustion modes, such as Homogeneous Charge Compression Ignition (HCCI), represent a promising means to increase the efficiency and significantly reduce the emissions of internal combustion engines. Implementation and control are difficult, however, due to the lack of an external combustion trigger. This thesis outlines a nonlinear control-oriented model of a single cylinder HCCI engine, which is physically based on a five state thermodynamic cycle. This model is aimed at capturing the behavior of an engine which utilizes fully vaporized gasoline-type fuels, exhaust gas recirculation and intake air heating in order to achieve HCCI operation. The onset of combustion, …


Automation Of Cad Model Based Assembly Simulations Using Motion Capture, Anup Madhav Vader Jan 2010

Automation Of Cad Model Based Assembly Simulations Using Motion Capture, Anup Madhav Vader

Masters Theses

"The manufacturing industry often uses text and video as a supplement for worker training procedures. Unfortunately, text is often difficult to follow and video lends itself to occlusion issues. CAD based animations of assembly operations can overcome these shortcomings while offering greater potential for operations analysis and simulation flexibility. However, creating such CAD based training simulations manually is a time intensive task and many a times fail to reveal the practical assembly issues faced in the real world. Thus, it is highly beneficial to be able to automate these simulations using motion capture from a physical environment. This thesis research …


Design And Critical Performance Evaluation Of Horizontal Axis Hydrokinetic Turbines, Suchi Subhra Mukherji Jan 2010

Design And Critical Performance Evaluation Of Horizontal Axis Hydrokinetic Turbines, Suchi Subhra Mukherji

Masters Theses

"The current work discusses the hydrodynamic performance of horizontal axis hydrokinetic turbines (HAHkT) under different turbine geometries and flow conditions. Hydrokinetic turbines are a class of zero-head hydropower systems which utilize kinetic energy of flowing water to drive a generator. However, such turbines often suffer from low-efficiency. A detailed computational fluid dynamics study was performed using a low-order k-[omega] SST (Shear Stress Transport) turbulence model to examine the effect of each of tip-speed ratio, solidity, angle of attack and number of blades on the performance of small HAHkTs with a power capacity of 10 kW. The numerical models (both two-dimensional …


Neural Mrac Based On Modified State Observer, Yang Yang Jan 2010

Neural Mrac Based On Modified State Observer, Yang Yang

Masters Theses

"A new model reference adaptive control design method with guaranteed transient performance using neural networks is proposed in this thesis. With this method, stable tracking of a desired trajectory is realized for nonlinear system with uncertainty, and modified state observer structure is designed to enable desired transient performance with large adaptive gain and at the same time avoid high frequency oscillation. The neural network adaption rule is derived using Lyapunov theory, which guarantees stability of error dynamics and boundedness of neural network weights, and a soft switching sliding mode modification is added in order to adjust tracking error. The proposed …


Slip Ramp Spacing Design For Truck Only Lanes Using Microscopic Simulation, Manoj Vallati Jan 2010

Slip Ramp Spacing Design For Truck Only Lanes Using Microscopic Simulation, Manoj Vallati

Masters Theses

"This research work proposes recommendations for slip ramp spacing between the TOLs and the general GPLs along Missouri rural interstate highways using a microscopic simulation model, VISSIM. Simulation of peak period rural traffic conditions indicated that heavy vehicle speeds were directly proportional to the lengths of the merge, diverge, and link sections. The proposed design recommendations for slip ramp spacing are based on the results of these section lengths. Design of experiments was carried out using a central composite design. As the slip ramp spacing depended heavily on the lane change behavior of drivers, a sensitivity analysis was performed of …


A Comparison Of Case-Based Reasoning And Regression Analysis Approaches For Cost Uncertainty Modeling, Karan Banga Jan 2010

A Comparison Of Case-Based Reasoning And Regression Analysis Approaches For Cost Uncertainty Modeling, Karan Banga

Masters Theses

"This thesis presents case-based reasoning approach for estimating the cost and modeling cost uncertainty of a new product in the concept selection stage. Case-based reasoning (CBR) is an approach which uses old cases/experiences to understand and solve new problems. The CBR approach consists of creating a knowledge-base (or database) containing past cases (products), defining a new case (concept), retrieving cases similar to the new case, and adjusting the solution of the retrieved cases to the new case. The first paper compares case-based reasoning, in studying the effects of varying design attribute specifications on cost estimation accuracy and cost distribution reliability. …


Design And Development Of Microwire Feeder For Laser Applications, Amogh J. Shenoy Jan 2010

Design And Development Of Microwire Feeder For Laser Applications, Amogh J. Shenoy

Masters Theses

"This thesis focuses on the design and development of a microwire feeder for laser applications. The use of wire-feeders in laser welding and electrical discharge machining applications has been prominent which can handle wire of 0.25 mm and it can go up to 10.0 mm in other applications. Development of microwire handling devices is complicated and difficult due to its low buckling strength; the need for high accuracy for its use; and the harsh environment it is exposed to, in laser applications. This paper presents a systematic methodology for the design and development of a high-precision microwire handling device. This …


Mechanical Properties And Microstructure Study For Direct Metal Deposition Of 316l Stainless Steel, Tian Fu Jan 2010

Mechanical Properties And Microstructure Study For Direct Metal Deposition Of 316l Stainless Steel, Tian Fu

Masters Theses

"Direct metal deposition or laser cladding is a process capable of producing fully dense and net shape metal products and this process could be used on coating metal components in various engineering applications. This process has fast heating and cooling rates which can improve the surface hardness and provide excellent adhesion through metallurgical bond between coating material and substrate. This paper evaluated the laser deposited 316L stainless steel coating on 4340 steel, which is widely used for aircraft landing gear applications. The microstructure, micro-hardness and quantitative EDS were explored to verify the coating properties. The desired homogeneous microstructure and high …


Influence Of Flow Baffles On Mixing Of Two Air Streams Flowing In A Mixing Chamber With Dissimilar Temperatures: A Computational Study, Abdulmunam Salem Shaban Jan 2010

Influence Of Flow Baffles On Mixing Of Two Air Streams Flowing In A Mixing Chamber With Dissimilar Temperatures: A Computational Study, Abdulmunam Salem Shaban

Masters Theses

"One of the most important components of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) is an air handling unit (AHU) which is used to condition and mix air that arrives from outside the building (OA) and return air (RA) that exits from the indoor space. Poor mixing between the warm return air and the cold outside air often leads to air stratification in AHU, which results in various problems, such as, nuisance trips of low temperature safety thermostats, freezing of chilled or hot water coils in a stratified subfreezing air stream and loss of control when sensors cannot read the true …


Performance Evaluation Of A Novel Diesel Fuel Air Separation And Filtration System For An Indirect Injection Diesel Engine, Michael Ray Hess Jan 2010

Performance Evaluation Of A Novel Diesel Fuel Air Separation And Filtration System For An Indirect Injection Diesel Engine, Michael Ray Hess

Masters Theses

"The objective of this research was to evaluate an air/fuel separation system known as a Fuel Preporator. The device's efficacy was determined by studying the effect of air entrainment on engine performance and fuel consumption of a General Motors 6.5 L naturally aspirated indirect injection (IDI) diesel engine. A test bed was developed to accommodate the test engine and test methods were adapted from federal regulations for steady-state engine testing (40 CFR 89 Subpart E). Cases of 0%, 5%, 10%, and 20% volumetric air entrainment were investigated for engine operation with and without the Fuel Preporator. Key measured engine performance …


Freeze Extrusion Fabrication Of 13-93 Bioactive Glass Scaffolds For Bone Repair, Nikhil D. Doiphode Jan 2010

Freeze Extrusion Fabrication Of 13-93 Bioactive Glass Scaffolds For Bone Repair, Nikhil D. Doiphode

Masters Theses

"We have investigated Freeze Extrusion Fabrication (FEF) of 13-93 bioactive glass to fabricate three dimensional scaffolds for bone tissue engineering. Bioactive glass paste was prepared for consistent extrusion through micro-nozzle and controlled porosity scaffolds were fabricated using additive manufacturing FEF. CAD models were prepared for different scaffold designs and computer controlled layer-by-layer deposition of pseudoplastic paste was carried out to in accordance. Liquid nitrogen assisted freezing of pastes was used for the consolidation of deposited layers. Post processing binder burnout and sintering schedules were designed for evaporation of organic binder and densification of glass. Sintering shrinkage was measured, and X-ray …


Implementation Of Integrated Function Structure And Object-Oriented Design Framework, Qiong Gao Jan 2010

Implementation Of Integrated Function Structure And Object-Oriented Design Framework, Qiong Gao

Masters Theses

"The function structure method is commonly used in mechanical product design. Although a function structure allows defining all the functions of the components of a product and their interactions, it does not have an effective architecture for the software design of a mechatronic product. An integrated function structure and object-oriented design framework was recently developed to overcome this disadvantage. In this thesis, the implementation of this framework to design several products in different categories, including an inkjet printer, and electric screwdriver and a vacuum cleaner, is discussed. The design results obtained using the new framework are compared to the design …


Finite Element Modeling Of Bird Strikes And Parametric Evaluation Using Design Of Experiments (Doe), Venkata Varaha Raja Naga Prathyush Bheem Reddy Jan 2010

Finite Element Modeling Of Bird Strikes And Parametric Evaluation Using Design Of Experiments (Doe), Venkata Varaha Raja Naga Prathyush Bheem Reddy

Masters Theses

"One of the major threats to Aviation industry is the in-flight impact of birds. Aircraft windshields are intensively vulnerable to damage and hence need a certification requirement for a proven level of impact resistance. Bird strike experiments are very expensive and henceforth explicit numerical modeling techniques have grown importance. This compilation mainly relies on the theory of hydrodynamic impact and addresses basic shockwave equations. A smooth particle hydrodynamics based approach is chosen and the numerical simulation is carried out using contact-impact coupling algorithm. The simulation is run using the nonlinear explicit finite element code LSDYNA ver.971, developed by Lawrence Livermore …


Influence Of Interactions Between Turbulence And Radiation On Transmissivities In Hypersonic Turbulent Boundary Layers, A. M. Feldick, L. (Lian) Duan, M. F. Modest, M. P. Martín, D. A. Levin Jan 2010

Influence Of Interactions Between Turbulence And Radiation On Transmissivities In Hypersonic Turbulent Boundary Layers, A. M. Feldick, L. (Lian) Duan, M. F. Modest, M. P. Martín, D. A. Levin

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

In the current paper, a high-fidelity large eddy simulation solver is coupled to our modified line-by-line radiative transport equation solver to study the effects of absorption turbulence-radiation interations in a hypersonic turbulent boundary layer, representative of the Orion CEV entering Earth's atmosphere, at peak heating condition. The turbulent and radiation fields represent extreme conditions typical of Orion, as the simulated boundary layer represents the region of high turbulence coupled to region of highest incident radiation. A simplification in the calculation of molecular spectra with a single temperature property database in allows for tractable calculation of spectral properties. A comparison of …


Direct Numerical Simulation Of Hypersonic Turbulent Boundary Layers. Part 2. Effect Of Wall Temperature, L. (Lian) Duan, I. Beekman, M. P. Martín Jan 2010

Direct Numerical Simulation Of Hypersonic Turbulent Boundary Layers. Part 2. Effect Of Wall Temperature, L. (Lian) Duan, I. Beekman, M. P. Martín

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

In this paper, we perform direct numerical simulation (DNS) of turbulent boundary layers at Mach 5 with the ratio of wall-to-edge temperature T w/T ℘ from 1.0 to 5.4 (Cases M5T1 to M5T5). The influence of wall cooling on Morkovin's scaling, Walz's equation, the standard and modified strong Reynolds analogies, turbulent kinetic energy budgets, compressibility effects and near-wall coherent structures is assessed. We find that many of the scaling relations used to express adiabatic compressible boundary-layer statistics in terms of incompressible boundary layers also hold for non-adiabatic cases. Compressibility effects are enhanced by wall cooling but remain insignificant, and the …


Depth And Breakthrough Detection For Laser Machining, J. P. Quitter, C. E. Yaworsky, Hai-Lung Tsai Jan 2010

Depth And Breakthrough Detection For Laser Machining, J. P. Quitter, C. E. Yaworsky, Hai-Lung Tsai

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

A system comprises a working laser beam, a sensing laser beam, first and second optical elements, an optical sensor, an aperture and a controller. The first optical element generates a coaxial beam from the working laser beam and the sensing laser beam. The second optical element focuses the coaxial beam onto a workpiece, such that the working laser beam machines the workpiece and the sensing laser beam reflects from the workpiece. The optical sensor senses an intensity of the reflected sensing beam. The aperture determines a focus position by translating along the reflected sensing beam, such that the reflected intensity …


Molecular Simulation Of The Infrared Absorption Cross Section And Thermophysical Properties Of A Polyatomic Fluid, Zhi Liang Jan 2010

Molecular Simulation Of The Infrared Absorption Cross Section And Thermophysical Properties Of A Polyatomic Fluid, Zhi Liang

Doctoral Dissertations

"The work presented in this dissertation aims at ab initio calculations of the infrared absorption cross section, heat capacity, self-diffusion coefficient, shear viscosity and thermal conductivity of a polyatomic fluid with the aid of statistical mechanics. The simulation is firstly focused on calculating single-molecule properties such as molecular structure, vibrational energy eigen values and transition dipole moments using an efficient method based on the density functional theory. Based on these ab initio results, the infrared absorption cross sections are determined by the Fermi's Golden rule, and the thermophysical properties are determined from molecular dynamics simulations. Using carbon dioxide as an …


Analysis Of Laminated Architectural Glazing Subjected To Combined Wind And Debris Impact Loading, Mahesh Shibarooru Shetty Jan 2010

Analysis Of Laminated Architectural Glazing Subjected To Combined Wind And Debris Impact Loading, Mahesh Shibarooru Shetty

Doctoral Dissertations

"Laminated glazing has been a popular form of window glazing in recent years and is found to be effective during extreme weather conditions like hurricane. Laminated glass is composed of two glass layers with a polymer as an interlayer. The main objective of this work involves studying the stress response, failure and damage analysis of rectangular laminated architectural glazing against combined wind and windborne debris impact. Here both small-hard (like roof gravel) and large-soft (like timber) windborne debris are considered. The stress response of the rectangular laminated architectural glazing was modeled using the finite element code ABAQUS. The effect of …


Effects Of Optimized And Sub-Optimum Two Degree Of Freedom Lining Tolerances On Modeled Inlet Acoustic Attenuation And Normal Incidence Impedance Measurement At Elevated Temperatures, David R. Burd Jan 2010

Effects Of Optimized And Sub-Optimum Two Degree Of Freedom Lining Tolerances On Modeled Inlet Acoustic Attenuation And Normal Incidence Impedance Measurement At Elevated Temperatures, David R. Burd

Doctoral Dissertations

"This work first investigates the effect of manufacturing tolerances on realized attenuation for two degree-of-freedom linings with the use of lining models and finite element duct propagation codes. Acoustic linings were created for two turbofan engines that optimize attenuation at takeoff/sideline and approach conditions. Lining physical and geometric parameters were set, which best meet the optimum impedance requirements at two target frequencies. Similar linings were created to investigate sub-optimum designs. Variations of these parameters representing realistic manufacturing tolerances were used to systematically examine the effect on installed impedance and predicted attenuation. Attenuation at sideline and approach conditions was found to …


Experimental And Computational Investigations Of Hydrogen Safety, Dispersion And Combustion For Transportation Applications, Shravan K. Vudumu Jan 2010

Experimental And Computational Investigations Of Hydrogen Safety, Dispersion And Combustion For Transportation Applications, Shravan K. Vudumu

Doctoral Dissertations

"Hydrogen is an energy carrier that can be produced from a variety of sources, offering one of the viable solutions to the increasing demands for clean and sustainable energy. Compared to the conventional fuels, hydrogen has distinct properties that need to be properly accounted for during its safer storage and delivery as well as more efficient and cleaner utilization. The broader objective of this study is to contribute to the scientific knowledge necessary to overcome key technical barriers to the widespread implementation of hydrogen in transportation applications. Specifically, lower flammability limit of hydrogen is first measured with an enhanced experimental …


The Part Count Tool (Pact) For Concept Selection, Tarang Parashar, Katie Grantham Lough, Robert B. Stone Dec 2009

The Part Count Tool (Pact) For Concept Selection, Tarang Parashar, Katie Grantham Lough, Robert B. Stone

Engineering Management and Systems Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

This paper presents a part count tool that automates the consideration of manufacturing cost during the conceptual design phase by predicting part count for a particular product concept. with an approximate number of parts per product in the conceptual design phase, the designer can estimate the cost associated with the product. on the basis of the cost, the designer can make changes according to budget requirements. the part count tool will also aid in ranking the design concepts by number of components for a product. This tool utilizes existing automated concept generation algorithms to generate the design concepts. It extracts …


Contribution Based Priority Assessment In A Web-Based Intelligent Argumentation Network For Collaborative Software Development, Xiaoqing Frank Liu, Maithili Satyavolu, Ming-Chuan Leu Oct 2009

Contribution Based Priority Assessment In A Web-Based Intelligent Argumentation Network For Collaborative Software Development, Xiaoqing Frank Liu, Maithili Satyavolu, Ming-Chuan Leu

Computer Science Faculty Research & Creative Works

Decision making is an important aspect in a collaborative software development process which involves a complex process of conflict resolution. the priority of the participants plays a vital role in conflict resolution as the decision-making process involves many participants from multiple perspectives. the priority assessment methods used in the process so far are usually static in nature, i.e., the priorities of the participants remain constant throughout the decision-making process. in order to make the collaborative system closer to real world scenarios, we incorporate dynamic priority assessment into a web-Based collaborative system based on intelligent computational argumentation, which was developed in …


Reinforcement-Learning-Based Output-Feedback Control Of Nonstrict Nonlinear Discrete-Time Systems With Application To Engine Emission Control, Peter Shih, Brian C. Kaul, Jagannathan Sarangapani, J. A. Drallmeier Oct 2009

Reinforcement-Learning-Based Output-Feedback Control Of Nonstrict Nonlinear Discrete-Time Systems With Application To Engine Emission Control, Peter Shih, Brian C. Kaul, Jagannathan Sarangapani, J. A. Drallmeier

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

A novel reinforcement-learning-based output adaptive neural network (NN) controller, which is also referred to as the adaptive-critic NN controller, is developed to deliver the desired tracking performance for a class of nonlinear discrete-time systems expressed in nonstrict feedback form in the presence of bounded and unknown disturbances. The adaptive-critic NN controller consists of an observer, a critic, and two action NNs. The observer estimates the states and output, and the two action NNs provide virtual and actual control inputs to the nonlinear discrete-time system. The critic approximates a certain strategic utility function, and the action NNs minimize the strategic utility …


Phase Change Mechanisms During Femtosecond Laser Pulse Train Ablation Of Nickel Thin Films, Xin Li, Lan Jiang, Hai-Lung Tsai Sep 2009

Phase Change Mechanisms During Femtosecond Laser Pulse Train Ablation Of Nickel Thin Films, Xin Li, Lan Jiang, Hai-Lung Tsai

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The mechanisms of nickel thin films irradiated by femtosecond laser pulse trains are studied by a model using molecular dynamics simulations and two-temperature model. It is found that the pulse train technology can change energy transport and corresponding phase change processes. Compared with single pulse ablation at the same total fluence, the pulse trains lead to (1) lower ablation rate with more and smaller uniform nanoparticles, (2) higher film surface temperatures and longer thermalization time, (3) much lower electron thermal conductivity that can further control heat-affected zone, (4) significantly smaller film compressive stresses and tensile stresses which reduce microcracks, and …


Development Of A Melt Pool Tracking Vision System For Laser Deposition, Todd E. Sparks, Lie Tang, Frank W. Liou Aug 2009

Development Of A Melt Pool Tracking Vision System For Laser Deposition, Todd E. Sparks, Lie Tang, Frank W. Liou

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

This paper chronicles the development of a vision system for tracking melt pool morphology in the laser metal deposition process. This development is to augment an existing temperature feedback control system. Monitoring both the temperature and shape of the melt pool is necessary because of the effects of local geometry on the cooling rate at the melt pool. Temperature feedback alone cannot accommodate this effect without complex process planning. The vision system's hardware, software, and integration into the laser deposition system's controller is detailed in this paper. Preliminary testing and the effects on depositionquality is also discussed.