Advanced Manufacturing Engineering

Equipment

Laboratories

There are three main laboratories in the research group. These are:

• Rapid Product Development Laboratory
• Metrology Laboratory
• Manufacturing Systems Laboratory

Metrology Laboratory

The Metrology laboratory is equipped with modern Co-ordinate Measuring Machine (CMM) 3D scanner, high precision, non-contact dimensional measuring machine, Mitutoyo high resolution surface measuring equipment. Prof Bennett, Dr Onuh and Dr Popov are involved with the Research in this area.

Mitutoyo Coordinate Measuring Machine BN706

A Mitutoyo Coordinate Measuring Machine BN706 is one of the high precision equipment in this laboratory. This high speed, high accuracy CNC CMMs have features like vibration free operation and temperature compensation. This CMMs can operate with touch, or scanning probes. Versatile and easy to use 3-D measurement software with added features like CAD integration and SPC analysis.

3D Digital Scanner

One of the core uses of the 3D scanner is to capture a physical part and put it back into the computer based processes that go to create a new tool. Since CNC processes are programmed around computer data it is important that accurate Cad files be created from the subject model. In many instances it is possible to create CNC cutter paths from scan data or .stl data. At other times some data post processing is favoured.

Surface Roughness Measuring Machine

Surface and area roughness parameters are meant to help quantify the surface texture of a material. Initially such parameters were used for characterizing machined surfaces; now they are used for characterizing all types of high technology and nanomaterials. The machine has powerful tools for characterizing and quantifying surface roughness, step heights, critical dimensions, and other topographical features with excellent precision and accuracy.

Roundness measuring machines - Mitutoyo's Roundtest RA400

This Roundness measuring machines measure at least 12 key relative dimensions associated with round parts or round sections of non-round parts of which are required by ISO/QS compliant companies. The Mitutoyo's Roundtest RA400 series, measures deviations from a geometric true circle based on all four roundness references. It measures parameters according to least squares mean circle (LSC), maximum and minimum inscribed circle (MIC, MCC) and minimum zone circles (MZC). The remaining eight parameters include diameter, concentricity, coaxiality, circular runout, thickness deviation, flatness, parallelism and perpendicularity. Centring and levelling of the work piece is totally automated via a digital adjustment table (DAT).