Launchpad, May - June 2004
For a full list of proposed, active and closed projects see here
ComeldTM , a new approach to joining of metals and fibre composite materials for high performance applications
Launched UK: March 2004
Launched Japan: March 2004
Cost per sponsor: £25 000pa, two payments
Project Leader: F C Smith
A new material surface treatment technique and joining process, named Comeld TM , offers an opportunity for significant performance enhancement in composite to metal joints. Initial cross joint tensile tests have shown that joint performance can be tailored to ensure that failure will occur in a consistent and predictable manner in the metal rather than in the joint or the composite.
This project will investigate the application of the new technique to a range of metal/composite material combinations and will assess, in detail, joint characteristics and performance against the requirements of production parts from a number of industries including aerospace, marine, motor sport, military and specialist construction.
Applied surfacing technology for manufacture of lower cost electronic packaging
To be launched: May 2004
Cost per sponsor: £15 000
Project Leader: A J Sturgeon
The electronic packaging sector is facing challenges of cost reduction, better thermal management, improved reliability and environmental legislation. TWI is proposing the use of two new surface coating processes to enable novel approaches to electronic package manufacture that may help address these needs. The aim of this project is to demonstrate the suitability of cold metal deposition (CMD) and Keronite plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO) for the preparation of metallic and dielectric layers, and demonstrate innovation and commercial benefits in electronic package manufacture.
Advanced manufacturing methods at TWI Technology Centre (Yorkshire)
TWI is establishing a centre for research and application of joining technology in Yorkshire. The centre will be concerned principally with advanced manufacturing methods in two technology areas, friction stir welding and laser materials processing, with particular application in the aerospace, automotive and general engineering industries.
New facilities are being installed and two projects, supporting the two technology areas, are already underway with part funding from Objective 1 and Yorkshire Forward. Nevertheless, further sponsors, both large companies and SMEs, are sought to participate and assist in directing the work.
a) FriSC-friction stir welding collaboration
To be launched: April 2004
Sponsorship: £50k pa, for three years.
Associate Sponsorship: £10k pa, for three years, per work package
Project Leader: I M Norris
Two new state of the art friction stir machines will be available, a high force five axis machine and a precision machine for welding steel.
Work will be carried out in the following areas:
FSW modelling
FSW of thick section aluminium alloys
FSW of Mg, Cu, Ti and Ni alloys
FSW of steels
FSW and processing of castings
FSW of dissimilar materials
b) LaserAM - laser advanced manufacturing
To be launched: April 2004
Sponsorship: £50K pa for three years
Associate Sponsorship: £10K pa for three years, per work package
Project Leader: G S Booth
Two principal laser facilities will be established; a laser direct metal deposition system and 7kW Yb fibre laser processing cell.
LaserAM has three main thrusts; evaluation of the two new laser systems, process development (surface treatment and hybrid laser-arc welding) and applications (medical, high temperature materials, spring manufacture and airframe structures).
