Radovan Kovacevic

Director
Research Center for Advanced Manufacturing and Center for Laser-aided Manufacturing

Herman Brown Chair Professor
Department of Mechanical Engineering

Contact Information

Education

B.S., University of Belgrade, Yugoslavia, 1969; M.S., University of Belgrade, Yugoslavia, 1972; Ph.D., University of Montenegro, Yugoslavia, 1978

Research Concentrations

Rapid prototyping and manufacturing; Abrasive waterjet cutting technology; Friction stir welding; Materials processing by high-power lasers, micro-machining by short-pulse lasers; Application of electron beam for welding, cladding and sterilization; Sensing and control of manufactuirng processes; Numerical simulation of manufacturing processes

Research Accomplishments and Activities

Author and co-author of more than 480 technical papers and five books; Seven U.S. patents and 16 invention disclosures; Over $17 million dollars in grants and contracts from state and government agencies and industry; Consultant Professor at Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, China, since 1994; Fellow of the Society of Manufacturing Engineers, 1997; Fellow of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, 2003; Fellow of the American Welding Society, 2003; Worked with over 160 visiting scholars, graduate students, and undergraduate interns; Faculty appointments at the University of Montenegro, Yugoslavia, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Syracuse University, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY Fulbright Foundation Scholar, 1984/85 Carl Duisberg Foundation (Germany) Scholar, 1983/84; Alexander von Humboldt (Germany) Scholar, 1976-1978; Frederick W. Taylor Research Medal, awarded by the Society of Manufacturing; Engineers in 2000 "for significant published research leading to a better understanding of materials, facilities, principles, and their applications to improve manufacturing processes"; Adams Memorial Membership Award awarded by the American Welding Society in 1997; ME Outstanding Graduate Faculty Award, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2007; Engineering Executive Board Faculty Excellence Award “in recognition of outstanding achievements and professionalism in education, research, and service to students”, 2002; Outstanding Engineering Faculty Award, 2009; For more information visit the web pages: www.lyle.smu.edu/rcam and www.lyle.smu.edu/clam

Research Philosophy

Creativity, persistence, and dedication are the keys to success.

Courses Taught

Metal Cutting; Machine Tools; Numerical Control; Materials and Processes in Manufacturing; Selected Topics in Manufacturing Processes; Dynamics; Statics; Manufacturing Processes; Computer Control of Machines and Processes; Design for Manufacturing; Computer Integrated Manufacturing; Nontraditional Manufacturing Processes; Manufacturing Systems; Design of Control Systems; Selected Topics in Manufacturing

Publications

Selected Publications

• “Thermal-mechanical Model with Adaptive Boundary Conditions for Friction Stir Welding of Al 6061”, by Soundararajan, V., Zekovic, S., and Kovacevic, R., International Journal of Machine Tools and Manufacture, Vol. 45, issue 14, Nov. 2005, pp. 1577 – 1587, TOP 25 the most citetd papers within the International Journal of Machine Tools and Manufacture in 2005
• “Microstructural Evolution in the Friction Stir Welding 6061 Aluminum Alloy (T6 temper condition) to Copper”, by Ouyang, J., Yarrapareddy, E., and Kovacevic, R., the Journal of Materials Processing, Vol. 172, 2006, pp. 110 – 122, TOP 25 the most cited papers within the Journal of Materials Processing in 2006
• “Numerical Simulation and Experimental Investigations on the Loads Carried by the Tool During Friction Stir Welding”, by Atharifar, H., Lin, D. and Kovacevic, R., the Journal of Materials Engineering and Performance, Vol. 18(4), June 2009, pp. 339-350. Appeared on Springer’s website (SpringerLink) as an “Editor’s Choice” article in 2009. “This honor is reflective of the comprehensive nature of your paper and its overall excellence. Only a few papers will be selected each year for Editor’s Choice, which means the paper can be viewed 24/7 worldwide via Springer’s site.” (from the Editor’s Office on Dec. 22, 2008)
• Momber, A. and Kovacevic, R., “Principles of Abrasive Waterjet Machining Technology”, Springer-Verlag, London, 1998