For high precision CNC turning, milling and laser cutting use
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School of Engineering and Physical Sciences
Manager : Mr.
Tel: +(44) (0)131 451 8078 / Fax +(44) (0)131 451-3129
Academic
Director: - Mr.
Background
Machining Facilities
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The Brent Wilson AMU is situated in the extensive
mechanical workshops within the |
Background
The Brent Wilson Advanced Manufacturing Unit (AMU) provides an advanced technology service to both the School and the University in general through its involvement in a wide variety of teaching programmes, research projects and high-quality sub-contract machining and assembly. For sub-contract work it can provide a small batch, short lead time service for high quality machined parts and assemblies to industry.
On an annual basis at least 6 major Final Year projects are carried out using AMU facilities with a number of high quality conference and journal publications being obtained as a result of this work.
Through initiatives led by Professor J.L. Murray, the setting up of AMU’s CNC facilities began with the purchase of a Hitachi-Seiki CNC lathe in 1982. Through both extensive Teaching Company activities and government funding received for expanding the teaching of Computer Aided Engineering (CAE) in universities, a Wadkin CNC machining centre was purchased in 1986 and, along with the CNC lathe, became part of the integrated Computer Aided Engineering Centre facilities in 1988 under the direction of Professor Murray. Both of these machine tools are still in use and are extensively used for teaching, research and sub-contract work.
From 1990, due to the reorganisation of resources within the department and
its expanding role as a sub-contract supplier, the AMU was formed into an
autonomous departmental unit under the directorship of Mr. G. Simpson who,
along with the AMU Manager Mr. B. Wilson, was given the responsibility to
develop and expand its activities such that high quality teaching and research
could be supported. The expansion into teaching took place through the
introduction of a wide range of novel CAD/CAM (computer aided design and
computer aided manufacturing) based student projects through which the
principles of design and manufacture of products using new technology were
successfully taught to students throughout all 5 years of the BEng, BSc and
MEng courses. This material has also been partially used to teach CAD/CAM
principles in Business Organisation, MBA,
Involvement within a major research project, under the direction of Professors D. Hall and J.L. Murray enabled the purchase of a Ferranti 600W CNC laser machining centre within the AMU which has recently been upgraded via a JREI grant to 2.7kW. A funded research project enabled the development of a methodology for determining laser cutting parameters for machining metals and other materials. This has been further carried forward into the areas of ceramic and glass cutting, again the first successful application of laser cutting in this area. This facility has now upgraded with a 2.7kW Trumpf laser.
The AMU facility is also very popular for subcontract work with a number of major customers requiring a wide range of materials to be cut, e.g. mild steel, stainless steel, glass, plastics, wood, paper, etc. Typical external customers include E&R Moffat (Bonnybridge), Harveys Ltd., Renishaw plc's research facilliy in Heriot-Watt Science par and. Scobie & McIntosh Ltd. to name but a few.
In 1993, due to the increased university and external customer demand for the CNC machining of prismatic parts, a Takang CNC Machining Centre was purchased. Due to the success in attracting paid sub-contract and research work into the AMU this was paid off in under 3 years. This was possible because the extra capacity provided by the Takang enabled it to concentrate on sub-contract work while the Wadkin Machining Centre was freed up to carry out research and teaching work.
A Mori-Seiki Lathe was purchased to extend the capabilities of the unit and enable the manufacture of complex CNC turn/mill work.
CAD/CAM package experience includes GNC, SMartCAM, EdgeCAM (currently used) and I-DEAS (currently used). However, we are happy to investigate any model inputs for machining purposes.
Throughout this time, through the hard work and dedication of our late and sorely missed friend and colleague Brent Wilson (AMU Manager), the AMU and its facilities, customer base and capabilities expanded to the level at which they currently exist; the AMU simply wouldn't have been what it is now without him.
All the guys involved in the setting up and running the AMU simply see it not as a business but as a support to Mechanical Engineering teaching and research activities in the university which is mainly for the benefit of our students. Any surplus capacity available to do sub-contract work is used to generate funds to support these activities and to maintain equipment and purchase new, advanced machines for use both in teaching and research. Therefore, any external customer coming to the AMU can be confident that their input to our unit will be used to support the development of our high quality undergraduate and post-graduate students and programmes.
A BIG THANK YOU TO ALL OUR CUSTOMERS FOR SUPPORTING OUR DEPARTMENT’S TEACHING AND RESEARCH ACTIVITIES.
MACHINING FACILITIES
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The AMU has four major CNC Machining Centres for a wide range of work with the planned purchase and installation of a new turn/mill/drill machining centre taking place in the very near future. |
Prismatic Parts:
Wadkin V5 10 Vertical CNC Machining Centre with GE2000 2½ axis control, capacity 100mm x 500mm x 500mm.
Takang V MC1020 Vertical CNC Machining Centre with Fanuc 2½ axis control, capacity 1020mm x 520mm x 550mm.
Turned Parts:
Mori-Seiki Sl-25Y CNC Lathe with Fanuc 18TC control. Maximum diameter 260mm and maximum length 530mm also bar feed and power tooliings.
Laser Cut Parts:
Trumpf 2.7kW CO2 Laser CNC Machining Centre with xxxx control, table travel 1200mm x 800mm. Maximum material thicknesses: mild/stainless steels - up to 6mm, plastics/woods - up to 20mm, ceramics/glass up to 6mm.
CNC Milling
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Wadkin V5 10 Vertical CNC Machining Centre with GE2000 2½ axis control, capacity 100mm x 500mm x 500mm. |
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Takang V MC1020 Vertical CNC Machining Centre with Fanuc 2½ axis control, capacity 1020mm x 520mm x 550mm. |
CNC Turning
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Mori-Seiki Sl-25Y CNC Lathe with Fanuc 18TC control. Maximum diameter 260mm and maximum length 530mm also bar feed and powered tooliings. |
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TYPICAL TURNED AND TURNED/MILLED PARTS
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A WIDE VARIETY OF MACHINED PARTS CAN BE PRODUCED ON OUR EXTENSIVE FACILITIES |
CNC Laser Cutting
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Trumpf 2.7kW Trumpf laser machining centre. |
TYPICAL LASER CUT PARTS
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A WIDE VARIETY OF MACHINED PARTS CAN BE PRODUCED ON OUR EXTENSIVE FACILITIES. |
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