Continuing the £2m investment in Non Destructive Testing (NDT). the Welsh Assembly Government has funded the development of a Knowledge Transfer Centre in Cutting and Fabrication Technology, with facilities to manufacture components in both metals and composite materials. Linked with the university's facilities in NDT, this new development provides a powerful resource for manufacturing industry. The centre has particular experience and expertise in near-to-market product engineering, with a track record of research that has direct economic benefit to Welsh industry.

5-Axis Machining Centre
Recent funding from the Welsh Assembly Government has enabled us to invest in a new 5-axis CMS software machining centre, with a machining envelope of 2.5 m in x, 1.5 m in y and 1.2 m in z. The machine has direct CAD to CAM capability and is fitted with an extraction system to enable machining of carbon fibre based materials. Our experienced CADCAM engineers can take CAD files from a range of CAD systems and generate CAM programmes to drive the machining process. We also have the latest Vericut software for programme verification. In addition to the 5-axis machine, we also have a 4-axis Haas machining centre and a Haas turning centre, along with a co-ordinate measuring machine for quality control and a Renishaw Cyclone scanner for reverse engineering.

Autoclave
Another recent acquisition is our autoclave, which enables us to fabricate components and structures in high strength, low weight composite materials. Along with the 5-axis machining centre, this facility is currently supporting an industrially-related research project on the cutting of carbon fibre based composite materials.

Abrasive Water Jet Cutting
We have excellent abrasive water jet cutting facilities and considerable expertise in this area. Our facilities can cut a range of materials including metal, glass, ceramics and composites. This facility is also currently used to support our research on the cutting of carbon fibre materials.

Contact details: Richard Thomas, Head of the School of Logistics & Manufacturing Engineering Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Telephone/fax: 01792 481168

Dr Tyra Oseng, Senior Research Associate Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Telephone: 01792 481205