David E Hardt

David E Hardt is an Associate Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. His research focuses on Large Scale Additive Manufacturing and Smart Process Control. He has been a member of the Mechanical Engineering faculty since 1979 and is a founding member of the Engineering Systems Division at MIT. His teaching includes courses on control, dynamics, and manufacturing processes. His research has addressed flexible automation and process control, with historical emphasis on welding and forming processes and current focus on polymer micro embossing. He has also contributed to the development of a Master of Engineering in Manufacturing degree at MIT.

David Hardt is a researcher in the field of manufacturing and process control, focusing on advanced control systems for industrial applications. His work includes the development of macro/micro manipulator systems for high bandwidth force regulation and robot accuracy enhancement. He has also explored sheet metal forming processes, emphasizing closed-loop shape control and real-time stability during forming. Additionally, Hardt has contributed to welding process control through impedance identification and adaptive control techniques. His research spans both theoretical and applied aspects of manufacturing, with an emphasis on improving precision and efficiency in industrial systems.