Rolls-Royce sponsored PhD Scholarship, Design and Simulation of Stiffness-Adjustable Robotic Systems for Performing on-Wing Repair of Aero-Engines - (ENG 1318X2)

Applicants are invited to undertake a 3 year PhD programme in partnership with industry to address key challenges in on-platform manufacturing engineering. The successful candidate will be based at The Rolls-Royce University Technology Centre (UTC) in Manufacturing and On-Wing Technology at University of Nottingham.

This project is in relation to the technical needs of Rolls-Royce to develop automatic and hybrid tooling solutions to enable in-situ/on-wing repair and maintenance of gas turbine engines.

At the Rolls-Royce UTC at University of Nottingham we have developed robotic systems capable to navigate into crammed/hazardous environments, and perform inspection and active operations such as machining. This is driven by the need to complete repair tasks without disassembly of industrial installations.

Both systems can be coupled to result into hybrid robots having ability to both walk/navigate and then perform tasks with end-effectors attached to both hexapod and continuum arm sub-systems, as shown in the link below: mediaspace.nottingham.ac.uk/media/MiniRoboMach/1_p6wvvkyl.

At the Rolls-Royce UTC we have developed a unique capability to design, model and realise our own robotic systems to perform tasks within restrictive environments.

This project builds on these research/industrial successes and proposes control solutions for automated robotic systems capable to be teleoperated using smart human-machine interfaces.

This is an exciting PhD project that has a combination of academic and industrial challenges which will enhance the student’s ability to tackle complex intellectual and practical aspects of mechatronics/control and manufacturing.

We are seeking talented candidates with:

•First or upper second class degree in mechanical/mechatronics/robotics/cybernetics or related scientific discipline.

•First rate analytical and numerical skills, with a well-rounded academic background.

•Demonstrated ability to develop precision mechanical devices/mechatronics

•Ability to develop kinematic and/or dynamic analysis of mechanical/robotic systems

•Ability to use finite element modelling and to simulate of complex mechatronics and

•Ability to implement control and kinematics with hardware-in-the–loop

•Background with relevant packages, (CREO/SOLIDWORKS, ANSYS/ABAQUS, MATLAB)

•A driven, professional and self-dependent work attitude is essential

•Experience of working within industry will be an advantage

•The ability to produce high quality presentations and written reports

This is an excellent opportunity to work on a novel robotic system with strong links to industrial applications and key skills and knowledge in preparation for a high-impact, high-technology research or industrial career.