Hi, I'm Tianyu

3D Geometry Processing, CAD/CAE/CAM, Toolpath Planning, Robot-Assisted 3D Printing, Machine Learning

I am a postdoctoral researcher in the Digital Manufacturing Lab at the University of Manchester (UoM), where I also earned my PhD in Mechanical Engineering under the supervision of Prof. Charlie C. L. Wang and Dr. Zekai Murat Kilic. Prior to that, I completed my Master’s degree at Xi’an Jiaotong University (XJTU) and worked at Inovance Technology, Shenzhen. I received my ​B.Eng. degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Electronic Science and Technology of China (UESTC).

My research lies at the intersection of 3D geometry processing, robot-assisted manufacturing, and machine learning-enhanced engineering pipelines. I build robust software systems that transform complex geometric data into scalable, fabrication-aware workflows, especially for multi-axis 3D printing. These pipelines integrate 3D volume decomposition and slicing, toolpath generation, and kinematics planning, and are validated through both peer-reviewed research and industrial collaboration.

Technically, I work across C++, Python, and ML libraries, and have experience deploying research code in collaboration with partners such as Airbus, NCC, and 5AxisMaker. I’m particularly interested in transforming advanced geometry algorithms into product-grade, data-driven software tools that empower design and manufacturing innovation.

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Selected Publication​

A full list of the publications can be accessed on Google Scholar

  1. Zhang, T., Liu, T., Dutta, N., Chen, Y., Su, R., Zhang, Z., Wang, W. and Wang, C.C., 2025. Toolpath generation for high density spatial fiber printing guided by principal stresses. Composites Part B: Engineering, p.112154. (Open-Sourced, Video)

  2. Liu, T., Zhang, T., Chen, Y., Huang, Y. and Wang, C.C., 2024. Neural Slicer for Multi-Axis 3D Printing. ACM Transactions on Graphics (TOG), 43(4), pp. 1-15. (First co-author, Project page, Video)

  3. Zhang, T., Huang, Y., Kukulski P., Dutta, N., Fang, G., Wang, C.C., 2023. Support Generation for Robot-Assisted 3D Printing with Curved Layers. IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation (ICRA), pp.12338-12344. (Open-Sourced, Video)

  4. Dutta, N., Zhang, T., Fang, G., Yigit, I.E. and Wang, C.C., 2023. Vector field based volume peeling for multi-axis machining. Journal of Computing and Information Science in Engineering (JCISE), pp.1-13. (Best Paper Award - ASME IDETC/CIE 2023 Conference, Open-Sourced, First co-author, Project page, Video)

  5. Zhang , T., Fang , G., Huang, Y., Dutta, N., Lefebvre, S., Kilic, Z.M. and Wang, C.C., 2022. S3-slicer: A general slicing framework for multi-axis 3D printing. ACM Transactions on Graphics (TOG), 41(6), pp.1-15. (Open-Sourced , Best Paper Award - SIGGRAPH Asia 2022 Technical Papers, Video)

  6. Zhang , T., Chen, X., Fang, G., Tian, Y. and Wang, C.C., 2021. Singularity-aware motion planning for multi-axis additive manufacturing. IEEE Robotics and Automation Letters (RAL), 6(4), pp.6172-6179. (Open-Sourced , Finalist of Best Student Paper Award, Video)

Collaborative Projects​

  1. Broetje-Automation GmbH & AirBus - Vector-field guided tool-path planning for 3D printing with CCF (Completed)
  2. 5axismaker - Toolpath algorithms for 5XCAM hybrid manufacturing (Completed)
  3. NCC(National Composites Centre) - Nonplanar Continuous Fibre AM (CFAM) design tool evaluation (Completed)