Professor
Engineering Design, IIT Madras
gsaravanaiitm.ac.in
91442257 4736
CAD
Design Optimization
Design for Additive Manufacturing
Orthopedic Bio-mechanics
Biomedical Image Processing
I am G. Saravana Kumar, Professor at Department of Engineering Design, IIT Madras. I teach graduate and undergraduate courses in the areas of functional and conceptual design, design for manufacturing and assembly, computer aided design, optimization and rapid product development.
As a scholar, my research aims at development of representational and computational tools for virtual and physical prototyping applied to arrive at solutions to design problems. Some of the specific research areas include CAD, Design Optimization, Design for Additive Manufacturing, Orthopedic Bio-mechanics and Biomedical Image Processing.
I also engage with industry in the above areas to deliver practical solutions.
Master of Engineering with specialization in Welding Engineering
Note: # IF : Journal Impact Factor. The values shown are the values corresponding to the period of publication.
Note: Wherever archived proceedings are available they are linked.
S. Bandyopadhyay, Saravana Kumar, G., and Palaniappan Ramu (Eds.), Machines and Mechanisms,Narosa Publishing House, New Delhi, 2012. (ISBN : 978-81-8487-192-0).
Zaki Ahmad (Ed.), Recent Trends in Processing and Degradation of Aluminium Alloys, InTech, Croatia, 2012. (ISBN: 978-953-307-734-5).
Saravana Kumar, G., Geometric Modeling Methods using Point Cloud Data: Computing Techniques for Recognition and Fitting of Free-form Curves and Surfaces, LAP Lambert Academic Publishing GmbH & Co. KG, Germany, 2010. (ISBN: 978-3-8433-5912-2).
Saxena, A. and Sahay, B., Computer Aided Engineering Design, Anamaya Publishers (India) and Springer (The Netherlands), 2005. (ISBN: 978-1-4020-2555-6).
Citation data of several publications listed in other "Tabs" are available through My Google Scholar Page
Full text of several publications listed in other 'Tabs" are available through My ResearchGate Page
My research group has interest in computer methods in design optimization, medical image analysis, and design for additive manufacturing.
Major emphasis has been in developing methods for automating design procedures suitable for design optimization and mass customization. With the advent of additive manufacturing that can fabricate parts directly from CAD, rapid generation of customized designs become a central issue. As an example we have worked on patient specific geometric modeling and optimum design of femoral implant. Short term and long term research focus is to develop computer methods that can be used to rapidly generate optimum designs, employing customized geometric models along with representation of material heterogeneity that can be additively manufactured for mass customization.
A very related area to design optimization in biomedical engineering is employing image based 3D reconstruction for anatomical geometry. We have been working in the area of CT and MRI based image processing, segmentation for computer aided diagnosis and anatomical modeling with focus in the applying the methods to orthopedics domain. Spine is one of the most complicated supporting structures of the body posing various challenges in modeling the same. Degenerative disc diseases are one of the most common diseases and the treatment includes options like spinal fusion and/or spine stabilizing implants. The current research focus is in computer aided diagnosis, the mechanics of various stabilization procedures and help in better treatment planning using experimental as well as numerical models. Some of the studies completed and currently being taken up are illustrated. Long term research plan includes applying CNNs for computer aided diagnosis for spine and orthopedic diagnosis, development of patient specific models for implant design.
Design for additive manufacturing (DfAM) bring challenge to traditional CAD and analysis since most of them can only deal with homogeneous materials as of now, and also in terms of understanding the constraints posed by the AM process. My earlier work in this domain was in developing a framework of modelling and data transfer that includes material heterogeneity information apart from the external geometry for AM. Some of the recent studies currently being taken up are illustrated.
If you are a potential PhD / MS scholar interested in pursuing research and dual degree student of the department interested in pursuing project in the above mentioned areas you are welcome to contact me. If you are a student of other institution and would like to come as an summer intern, pl. go through the institute internship selection process and then express your interest to me.
Resources for Additive Manufacturing Research: Major facilities in the domain of additive manufacturing is listed here. The genesis is the Rapid Prototyping Laboratory which was conceived as a prototyping facility for the department and created in the year 2008. The facility is extensively used by students and faculty across the department as well as IIT Madras, academic institutions and industries out side IIT Madras. Several research and consultancy projects are being carried out using these facilities.
Eden 350V RP machine from Stratasys®
Rapid prototyping machine installed at IIT Madras is based on Multi-jet technology. The process uses photopolymer resin as a raw material to build artifacts irrespective of their complexity. The machine is Eden 350V® from Stratasys®. Printing with high accuracy print head (600 dpi) and ultra thin 16µ layers, the system produces models with exceptionally fine details and smooth surfaces. The model materials include the opaque material in Blue, White and Black, and the flexible rubber-like material in Gray, Black and FullCure720® Transparent material.
Specification of the machine and sample part pictures: RP flier
Note: Contact the faculty in charge / technical staff in lab to obtain a quote for prototyping service.
ED120, Engineering Design
+91-44-2257 4624
LPX 600 3D scanner from Roland DG Corp. Ltd®
3D scanning and shape synthesis is the process of producing design details in the form of CAD model from the physical part. The process also know as reverse engineering consists of first scanning the object concerned to create a point cloud that represents the skin of the object. Then using a surface modelling software the skin i.e. the surface model of the object is created. The lab has a 3D laser scanner LPX 600® from Rolland DG Corp. Ltd.®. The scanning accuracy is +/- 0.05 mm with a scanning pitch of 0.2mm. The scanning area is, width 254 mm and height 406.4mm.
Example Projects: Inspection of reaction injection molded component with its CAD model using 3D scanning.
Note to Industry: Contact the faculty in charge to obtain a quote for 3D scanning service.
ED120, Engineering Design
+91-44-2257 4624
MDX 40 Desktop CNC milling m/c from Roland DG Corp. Ltd.®
CNC machining along with suitable CAM software is a useful tool to machine components directly from CAD models in the materials as specified in bill of materials. The MDX 40 milling machine from Rolland DG Corp. Ltd.® is a easy to use desktop CNC milling machine that can machine wide range of materials including wood, wax and resin. The machine also supports a rotary axis thus supporting machining revolved parts and large part machining.
VERSA VLS-2.30 Laser engraving and cutting m/c from Universal Laser Systems®
Laser material processing systems with computer interface can integrate computer generated drawing to machining, engraving and cutting operations. The lab has a desktop VLS2.30 laser machine from Universal Laser Systems®. The VLS2.30 is well suited to prototype development and offers a material processing envelope of 406 x 305 x 102mm.
Note: # L : One Lakh Indian Rupees.
MS, (July 2019-current)
Design for additive manufacturing
PhD, (Jul 2019-current)
Spine Biomechanics
PhD, IIT-CMC-SCTIMST Clinical Engg. Program (Jan 2019-current)
Co-guide: Prof. Satya Subramani, Dept. of Physiology, CMC Vellore.
Cardiovascular physiology
MS, ID (July 2018-current)
Co-guide: Prof. Abhijit Deshpande P, Dept. of Chemical Engg., IIT Madras.
3D printing using polymers
PhD, (July 2018-current)
Co-guide: Dr. Murugaiyan A, Dept. of Materials and Metallurgical Engg., IIT Madras.
Metal additive manufacturing
PhD, (Jan 2017-current)
Computer aided diagnosis of spine
MS, External candidate from Honeywell (Jul 2016-current)
Design for additive manufacturing
Postdoctoral researcher, (Nov 2019 - Oct 2020)
Biomechanics
Assistant Professor at Central University of Rajasthan
MS, (Jul 2016-Sep 2019)
Design for additive manufacturing
Engineer at Eaton India Innovation Center LLP, Pune
MS+PhD, (Jul 2013-Jun 2019)
Co-guide: Prof. Yoganadhan N, Dept. of Neurosurgery, MCW, Milwaukee, US.
Influence of morphological variations on cervical spine biomechanics
Postdoctoral researcher at Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden
PhD, (Jan 2013-Sep 2018)
Co-guide: Prof. A K B Chand, Dept. of Mathematics, IIT Madras.
Fractal splines in CAGD applications
Faculty member, VIT Andhra Pradesh
PhD, (Jul 2011-Sep 2018)
Co-guide: Prof. Arul Prakash K, Dept. of Applied Mechanics, IIT Madras.
Numerical simulation of fluid flow analysis and design optimization of hydro turbo machines
R & D Mechanical engineer at Forbes Marshall Private Limited, Chennai
PhD, (Jan 2013-Mar 2018)
Co-guide: Dr. Sankara J Subramanian, Dept. of Engineering Design, IIT Madras.
Curvature and strain computation in DIC
Head R & D at PhotoGAUGE
PhD, (Jul 2011-Feb 2018)
Co-guide: Prof. Venkatesh K, Dept. of Orthopedics, CMC Vellore.
Pullout strength of pedicle screws
Postdoctoral researcher at Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, US
PhD, (Jul 2011-Jul 2017)
Co-guide: Prof. A K B Chand, Dept. of Mathematics, IIT Madras.
Fractal splines in CAGD applications
Faculty member, SRM Chennai
MS, (Jul 2011-Jul 2014)
Surface roughness investigation and prediction model for poly-jet rapid prototyping system
Technical Staff, Central Workshop, IIT Madras
MS, (Jul 2009-Jul 2012)
Design and analysis of subject specific femoral implants
Assistant Professor at Amal Jyothi College of Engineering, Kerala
PhD, IIT Guwahati (2006-2010)
Subject specific design and analysis for fabrication of human femoral scaffold
Assistant Professor at IIITDM Kancheepuram
· Deepti Sharma, CAD based scaffold design for liver tissue using MRI images
· Sunny Patel, Design of Pressure Relieving Insoles for Diabetic Patients at Low Risk: A Finite Element Approach.
@ IIT Guwahati
· Appa Rao Ambatti, A methodology for layered manufacturing of porous objects
· Venkateshwara Chowdary, Multi-objective optimal synthesis of planar path generating mechanisms
· Veerababu Kinthada, Prediction of tensile and deep drawing behavior of taylor welded blanks by artificial neural networks (Co-guided by Dr. R Ganesh Narayanan, ME, IITG)
· Sivaprasad Koralla, Optimization of pipe routing through arbitrary domain
· Ganesh D Walsange, Computer aided sesign and analysis of asymmetric gears
· Sairambabu N L, Unstructured mesh generation over arbitrary domain by an hybrid advancing front technique
· Ramesh G Meena, Feature based modelling and analysis of axial fan (Co-guided by Prof. A. D. Sahasrabudhe, ME, IITG)
· Shanka S Babu, Unstructured mesh generation using an hybrid advancing front technique
· Rajendra Kishore, Robust synthesis of linkage mechanism with optimal tolerance allocation (Co-guided by Prof. A. D. Sahasrabudhe, ME, IITG)
· Prasanth M, Stiffness optimization of custom cementless hip implant
· Phalguna I, Heat transfer analysis using complex geometry and feasibility with additive manufacturing
· Dhinesh N, Framework for automated validation of cervical spine model
· Mohit Kumar, Reconstruction of Cranial Implant for Cranioplasty
· Ananthula Abhishek, Adaptive subdivision in conversion of AMF to STL format
· Tejasvin S, Low level brain control over the physiology at peripheral arteries(Co-guided by Prof. Srinivasa Chakravarthy, BT)
· Kishan Jani, Analysis of Preferences using Operations Research Models(Co-guided by Prof. G Srinivasan, DOMS)
· Anant Gupta, Experimentation with 3D printing to create animal tissues
· Vivek Velivela, A Finite Element Model to Predict the Part Strength of Fused Deposition Modeling Printed Parts
· Rishabh Malav, A study of genetic algorithm convergence and its application to optimal synthesis of mechanisms (Co-guided by Dr. S Bandyopadhyay, ED)
· Sudhakar Reddy, Development of 3D profile scanner
· Prajith V, Development of iterated function system for Bezier curves and its applications in geometric modelling (Co-guided by Prof. A K B Chand, MA)
· Srikanth Prasad J, Design and development of a laser line scanning system
· Bathula Kiran Kumar, Reliability Synthesis of Path Generating Linkages and Cost Optimization using Multi-Objective Genetic Algorithm (Co-guided by Dr. Palaniappan Ramu, ED)
· Rajesh Reddy, Generating Fractal Splines for Geometric Modeling (Co-guided by Prof. A K B Chand, MA)
· Jaideep Badduri, Development of a framework for optimal synthesis of mechanisms (Co-guided by Dr. S Bandyopadhyay, ED)
· Siva Swaroop, Design optimization of a double wishbone suspension system (Co-guided by Dr. S Bandyopadhyay, ED)
· Arun Chandran, Optimization framework for multimodal and multi-objective mechanism synthesis (Co-guided by Dr. S Bandyopadhyay, ED)
· Manu Gupta, Patient specific parametric geometric modeling of cementless hip prosthesis
· Sudhir Kindo, A methodology to find grit density and grit height difference of abrasives bonded in single layer configuration (Co-guided by Dr. Amitava Ghosh, ME)
Siva and Sumanth, Alignment of structured and unstructured meshes (Co-guided by Dr. R Ganesh Narayanan, ME, IITG)
Sudhendu Azad, 3D geometrical modeling of the human heart
Santhana Barathi, Thej Kiran, Suresh Kumaar, Sajay Surya, ...
Karthik Vijayakumar, Prashanth Neelakantan, Ganesh Prasanna, ...
Prof. K. Venkatesh, Spinal Disorders Unit, CMC Vellore
Prof. Vedantam Rajshekhar, Neurology Unit, CMC Vellore
Prof. Satya Subramani, Physiology, CMC Vellore
Prof. Narayan Yoganandan, Medical College of Wisconsin, USA
Prof. Palaniappan Ramu, ED, IIT Madras
Prof. Sandipan Bandyopadhyay, ED, IIT Madras
Prof. Arul Prakash K, Applied Mechanics, IIT Madras
Prof. A K B Chand, Mathematics, IIT Madras
Prof. Abhijit Deshpande, Chemical, IIT Madras
Prof. A Murugaiyan, Material Science &Metallurgy, IIT Madras
Prof. Koshy Varghese, Civil Engineering, IIT Madras
Dr. Jayaraj Govindaraj, Radiology, Apollo Hospitals Chennai
Dr. Harvinder Singh Chhabra, Indian Spinal Injuries Centre, New Delhi
Autodesk
Note:
Special topics in engineering optimization, Elective course for PhD, MS, Dual degree BTech Engineering Design at IIT Madras.
Course Description: Introduce students to the use of approximations based optimization for design based on analytical models and experiments. Introduce optimization frameworks used for light weighting in structural optimization and multi-disciplinary optimization.
Infrastructure: Computer facilities with structural engineering analysis software.
Evaluation: Assignments, project and term paper presentations apart from exams.
Optimization Methods in Engineering Design, Elective course for PhD, MS, Dual degree BTech Engineering Design at IIT Madras.
Course Description: Optimization has become a significant part of computer aided design activity. This course endeavors to describe the optimization concepts and procedures with examples and demonstrate their applicability to engineering design problems. The focus will be on formulation of design problem as optimization problem, numerical and computational solution procedures and its implementation.
Infrastructure: Computer facilities with programming software like C, MATLAB.
Evaluation: Computer based Assignments, project and term paper presentations apart from exams.
Rapid Product Development, Elective course for PhD, MS, Dual degree BTech Engineering Design at IIT Madras.
Course Description: Sustainable product development of better quality products with shrinking development times necessitates the need for evaluating all feasible design alternatives with least cost and time. This course aims at exposing students to recent advances in technologies like reverse engineering, rapid prototyping and tooling that enable fast, inexpensive ways to accomplish the same.
Infrastructure: Computer facilities and CAD software like ProE, AutoCAD and facilities for rapid prototyping.
Evaluation: Assignments, project and term paper presentations apart from exams.
Differential and Computational Geometry, Elective course for PhD, MS, Dual degree BTech Engineering Design at IIT Madras. (Along with Prof. M Ramanathan, ED)
Course Description: Design and manufacturing issues such as parting plane identification and path planning require a great deal of the geometric properties of curves/surfaces and computational geometry algorithms. Differential geometry part of this course deals with the geometric properties of curves and surfaces, mainly using differential calculus. A course also discusses surface topology. Computational geometry consists of algorithms related to polygons/polyhedrons and the issues in implementation. This course is aimed at strengthening the mathematical/analytical thinking and the implementation skills of the students.
Infrastructure: Computer facilities with programming software like C, MATLAB and CAD software like ProE, AutoCAD.
Evaluation: Computer based Assignments, project and term paper presentations apart from exams.