| 2003 |
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YEAR BOOK |
Institute of Technology Tallaght
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Research within the Department of Mechanical Engineering, IT Tallaght
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Rapid Prototyping & Tooling
While design validation techniques such as Rapid Prototyping are applied by product designers, on a day-to-day basis, to evaluate new concepts using plastic models, the Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) process is capable of constructing metal matrix materials suitable for injection mould core and cavity plates. Rapid tooling is the use of rapid prototyping methods to produce either prototype inserts, or tools to make low volume prototype parts, and provides a means of transferring non-functional models constructed from the range of rapid techniques into a functional prototype part.
Sheet Metal Processing
This stream, developed through a collaborative project with TCD, is sponsored by Enterprise Ireland. Areas under consideration include incremental forming, bulk forming methods, spinning, and hybrid extrusion/rolling techniques.
Impact Analysis
Simulating the interaction of physical bodies during impact and vibrational situations, and correlating results through physical validation of the analysis.
Bio-Medical Engineering
A number of staff members are expanding their research into the biomedical field. Areas under investigation include medical tubing, medical devices, and physical imaging techniques based on models constructed from CAT (Computer-Aided Tomography) scan conversions using rapid prototyping techniques.
Super-abrasives Research
Investigations are underway across a number of diamond based topics: these include integration of diamond with powder metallurgy, crack propagation, wear mechanisms, and abrasive polishing methods.
Mentorlink
This innovative project is based on the need for a support structure for young women entering the engineering field, whether as a student or in the world of work. A structured e-mentoring programme where third level students and recent graduates are mentored by female technicians and engineers in industry has been established. This initiative has been funded by the Equality for Women Measure. For further information see http://www.mentorlink.ie
Contact: John Vickery, Head of Department, Department of Mechanical Engineering, IT Tallaght, Dublin 24; Tel: (01) 4042500; E-Mail: [email protected]