Panayiotis S. Shiakolas

Associate Professor

Education:

• Ph.D. University of Texas at Arlington, 1992

• M.S.M.E. University of Texas at Austin, 1988

• B.S.M.E. University of Texas at Austin, 1986

Areas of Expertise: Robotics Automation, Application of Robotics for Industrial Processes, Agile and Reconfigurable Automation/Manufacturing Systems, Modeling-Simulation and Controls, Mechanical Systems and Machine Design, Kinematics and Dynamics, Computer Aided Design- Manufacturing-Robotics

Background: Dr. Shiakolas joined the Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Department of the University of Texas at Arlington as an assistant professor in Fall 1996. Before joining UTA, he has performed extensive research in the areas of rapidly configured robotic and manufacturing systems. Since joining UTA, he has performed extensive research in the areas of applying robotics-based automation in aerospace manufacturing applications. He directed industry sponsored research activities in the development of a robotically automated surface finishing system, and robotically automated drilling and riveting and other manufacturing applications in confined spaces. He has performed research in the consideration of ergonomics in manufacturing operations especially in confined spaces that resulted in the development of unique manipulators for automating confined spaces manufacturing processes. He developed and applied soft tooling methodologies on the calibration of rapidly reconfigurable manufacturing systems, and algorithms for the quick determination of machine tool offsets on five-axis CNC machine tools.

Dr. Shiakolas’ teaching interests include the development of the MARS lab, the use of the LEGOMINDSTORMS in robotics and automation, and the development of a digitally controlled magnetic levitation system for modeling and controls education.

Recently, Dr. Shiakolas initiated research in the areas of manufacturing of smart structures sponsored by NSF. He also is researching the development of web enabled engineering teaching and learning tools through the development of magnetic levitation experimental testbed that could be controlled and observed over the world wide web. The magnetic levitation testbed (digitally controlled using MATLAB/xPC target) is currently being used as an experimental environment to assess the use of magnetic bearings in aerospace applications. In addition, he is in the process of developing a modular mechanical finger-hand for applications, and MEMS based sensors.

Dr. Shiakolas has published in numerous journals on the subject of Computer Aided Design/Engineering and presented his work at several conferences. Dr. Shiakolas chaired several sections on Robotics and Robot Control in various conferences.

Dr. Shiakolas’ research has been supported by Bell Helicopter Textron of Fort Worth, Lockheed Martin Vought Systems of Grand Prairie, Electrocom Automation of Arlington, Electrospace Systems of Richardson (Raytheon subdivision), Automation and Robotics Research Institute (ARRI), National Science Foundation (NSF) and The University of Texas at Arlington.

 

Phone	Email	Office	Websites
(817) 272-5715	shiakolas@uta.edu	WH 315D	mars.uta.edu | biomems.uta.edu