Composite materials
CRF - Fiat Research Centre
The Machining Team, managed by Ing. Mauro Comoglio, is the Fiat research group in the machining field.
There are four main research branches: machine tool design, process design, development of material/coating for cutting tools, materials machinability.
The team has worked on more than 30 European funded research projects (Alticut, Alumopla, Amadeus, Autofett, CD Treatments, CNC, Coming Dry, Dico, Dualco, Ecosystems, Engy, FGMSIATOOL, Incosynt, Mactest, MEA-PPNCD, Nacodry, Nanogrind, Sammi, Testify, Ulmat, Ultraflex), problem solving activities for Fiat Group and also for private customers external to Fiat Group.
An Advanced Machining Laboratory is equipped with an advanced linear driven machine center (Renault Automation - Comau) for the development of high speed and dry machining of light alloys (titanium, aluminum and magnesium) and difficult to cut materials (innovative cast irons, superalloys, composite materials), and a CRF machine tool developed for the dies and moulds industry. The methodological approach is based on an integrated approach: on line wear/power/temperature monitoring, SEM/metallographic analysis of cutting tool and worked material, correlation between cutting tool properties/cutting performance, set up of cutting parameters and lubrication condition (oil, emulsion, MQL, dry), CAD/CAE/CAM design and FEM simulation/design, set up and testing of innovative cutting process.
Cardiff University, Manufacturing Engineering Centre (MEC)
The Manufacturing Engineering Centre (MEC) is an award-winning international R&D Centre of Excellence for Advanced Manufacturing and Information Technology. The 90-strong Centre forms part of Cardiff University, which dates back to 1883 and is one of Britain's major civic universities.
The MEC conducts basic, strategic and applied research as well as technology transfer with partners from 22 countries in Europe, Asia and the Americas. The research spans a broad spectrum of subjects, from Robotics and Microsystems, Sensor Systems, High-speed Automation and Intelligent Control, Rapid manufacturing, Micro-Manufacturing, Nanotechnology, Quality Engineering, Multimedia, Virtual Reality and Enterprise Information Management.
The MEC's research work has received the overwhelming endorsement of sponsors and supporters in the private and public sectors. Over 100 industrial partners including multinationals like Hewlett-Packard, IBS, Mitutoyo, Parametric Technology, SAP, Silicon Graphics, Siemens and Tecnomatix support research projects at the Centre. The MEC also has collaborative projects with more than 22 countries in Europe, Asia and the Americas. As a result, the Centre is one of the largest and most successful operations in any UK university. Within the past ten years, the Centre has won over £40 million in grants and contracts including two EC 6th Framework Networks of Excellence contracts totalling 15M Euros in value. The two Networks of Excellence led by the MEC, I*PROMS and 4M, involve some 50 centres of excellence in the field of Advanced Manufacturing across the EU.
The MEC is also a Centre of Excellence for Technology and Industrial Collaboration (CETIC) sponsored by the Welsh Assembly Government (WAG) and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).
The MEC conducts basic, strategic and applied research as well as technology transfer with partners from 22 countries in Europe, Asia and the Americas. The research spans a broad spectrum of subjects, from Robotics and Microsystems, Sensor Systems, High-speed Automation and Intelligent Control, Rapid manufacturing, Micro-Manufacturing, Nanotechnology, Quality Engineering, Multimedia, Virtual Reality and Enterprise Information Management.
The MEC's research work has received the overwhelming endorsement of sponsors and supporters in the private and public sectors. Over 100 industrial partners including multinationals like Hewlett-Packard, IBS, Mitutoyo, Parametric Technology, SAP, Silicon Graphics, Siemens and Tecnomatix support research projects at the Centre. The MEC also has collaborative projects with more than 22 countries in Europe, Asia and the Americas. As a result, the Centre is one of the largest and most successful operations in any UK university. Within the past ten years, the Centre has won over £40 million in grants and contracts including two EC 6th Framework Networks of Excellence contracts totalling 15M Euros in value. The two Networks of Excellence led by the MEC, I*PROMS and 4M, involve some 50 centres of excellence in the field of Advanced Manufacturing across the EU.
The MEC is also a Centre of Excellence for Technology and Industrial Collaboration (CETIC) sponsored by the Welsh Assembly Government (WAG) and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).