The Intelligent Control of an Inert-Gas Atomization Process

Intelligent control isan attempt tospecify the function of a controller in ways which mimic the decision-making capabilities of humans. Traditionally, issues relating to the emulation of human-like capabilities have fallen in thedomain of avtificial intelligence. Intelligent processing is a specific form of intelligent control in which thesystem to be controlled is a process rafher than the more conventional mechanical or electrical system. The National lnstitute of Standards and Technology's program on intelligent processing of metal powders is a multi-disciplinary research initiative investigating the application of intelligent control technologies to improve thestateof theart of metal powder manufacturing. This paper reviews the design of the institute's supersonic inert-gas metal-atomizer control system.