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.

TEKNIKER is a private non-profit research centre, born in 1981 from a previous laboratory working in metals characterisation since the sixties. From that point onwards TEKNIKER grew adapting its offer to the changing demand coming from its industrial surroundings, mainly devoted to metalmechanical transformation and composed of small or very small companies. Over its twenty years of close collaboration with its surrounding industry, TEKNIKER has not only gained a lot of experience but has a strong influence in these sectors. The research centre has great potential for the dissemination of results to manufacturing industry in the area. TEKNIKER’s fields of actuation include: Product development and precision engineering (mechanical elements design, machines and equipment design and development, control systems, metrology and ultraprecision), Manufacturing systems (product and process design, manufacturing organisation, manufacturing systems) and Production processes (cutting technologies, forming technologies, surface technologies). A recent strategic decision has led TEKNIKER to move also towards being a centre for micro-manufacturing and precision engineering.