On 6 July 2011, the UCD College of Engineering & Architecture was awarded a state-of-the-art computer integrated prototyping facility with advanced computer-aided design and manufacturing software and a five-axis, high-precision, computer-controlled machining centre. It will enable integrated design and prototyping of complex components in advanced materials with features such as free-form, three dimensional surfaces. The machining centre is the world’s fastest in its class with a spindle speed of 60,000 RPM and extreme stiffness levels for high precision control.
This has been specifically designed for applications in the medical devices industry operating with a diverse range of materials including polymers, titanium and cobalt-chrome alloys. The machining centre can be used for micro-milling processes as well as for fine grinding and polishing. It is intended that, through integrated process chains, productivity levels can be significantly enhanced. Modelling and simulation in a computer aided design and manufacturing environment can be undertaken with the most advanced software available now networked by cloud computing.
The facility will be located in the UCD Manufacturing Engineering Research laboratory and used for fundamental and applied research projects as well as facilitating high-end advanced manufacturing developments in the Irish medical device industry. The facility will allow students at all levels, from undergraduate to PhD, to understand and leverage its potential applications.
The award is from the international Machine Tool Technology Research Foundation [MTTRF], California, USA. The Foundation provides ongoing support with technical upgrades as the technology develops. It selects leading global researchers for the awards and this year nominated Professor Gerry Byrne and his Advanced Manufacturing Science [AMS] Research Group led by Dr Eamonn Ahearne. It is the only facility of its type in Ireland or the UK.
