EPSRC + Reinshaw Plc studentship: Next Generation Machining Processes for Advanced Alloys

The Advanced Machining Processes and Systems (AMPS) Group at the University of Bath have an exciting funded PhD opportunity in machining processes for advanced aerospace materials.

The AMPS Group is an established, world leading team of researchers in novel manufacturing processes from cryogenic machining to additive manufacturing, hybrid processes and environmentally conscious manufacturing. Over the past decade, the group has generated more than £10m in research income from research councils, EU and industrial partners applicable to both aerospace and medical industries.

The UK has 17% of the market value of the global aerospace industry, only second to the USA. It employs more than 84000 people, with a turnover of £25 billion and contributes £9.4 billion to the economy (Rhodes, et al., 2015). On the other hand, it is estimated that 160,000 people receive an artificial knee and hip implant in the UK (National Joint Registry, 2015). The global orthopaedic implant market was valued £34 billion in 2014 with US leading the manufacturing market (Transparency market research, 2014). The majority of the implants are made from special alloys such as titanium, cobalt-chromium and stainless steel alloys with significant machining and finishing operations. Therefore, there is a considerable demand across various industries for innovative machining solutions which can increase the output of the industries and solve the bottleneck issues related to machining special alloys.

This project aims to generate and develop the next generation of machining processes by utilising capabilities of new technological advances in other disciplines. This involves designing next generation of cutting tools, novel cooling and lubrication techniques, analytical modelling and simulation and data collection. The project is co-funded by EPSRC and Renishaw Plc.