Manufacturing Technology & Systems Research Group
The research interests within the Manufacturing Technology & Systems group include the topics of grinding, forming, high speed machining and joining, and the processing and characterisation of polymers and polymer-matrix composites. As well as these core themes, the group undertakes research in the areas of micro-manufacturing and nanocomposites including micro-form-rolling, micro-feature characterisation of grinding tools, process monitoring in micro machining and polymer-clay nanocomposite development. Applications span automotive, aerospace, construction, biodegradable packaging and plastics recycling through to ICT and biomedical technologies. The research group undertakes research work at three levels:
- Fundamental science underpinning manufacturing processes and the formation of nanocomposites and clay reinforcement
- Application investigations in manufacturing process and polymer nanocomposite development
- Direct industry collaboration on short term projects including consulting
Group Leaders
- Dr. Garret O'Donnell - Assistant Professor
- Mr. Kevin Kelly - Assistant Professor
- Dr. Rocco Lupoi - Assistant Professor
- Dr. Shaun Mc Fadden - Assistant Professor
- Prof. John Monaghan - Professor Emeritus
Selected Research Projects
- High velocity mist jet cooling of machining processes: Improving the environmental impact of metal cutting
- Design and manufacture of a novel heat pipe-based hydronic heating system
- Process monitoring of micro machining operations
- An investigation of compressed air energy consumption and efficiency in automated assembly production
- Investigation the microform rolling process through experimental and FEA approaches
- Analytical modelling and experimental investigations into the use of metalic foams
- Investigating the friction stir welding process
- Investigation of the toughness of polymer-clay nanocomposites for plastics recycling
- Biopolymer-matrix composites
- An investigation into the micro-machining of biocompatible polymer materials
- Analysis of acoustic emission signals from a micro-drilling process
- The Development of a general purpose Surface Acoustic Wave (SAW) strain sensor
- Investigation of energy efficiency in polymer processing
- Development of in-process quality monitoring system for abrasive material removal processes
- Characterisation and optimisation of energy efficiency in hybrid discrete and continuous manufacturing operations
- Monitor and control during machining of polymers
- Biodegradable polymer nanocomposites
- Layer-by-layer assembly of novel bone-mimetic hybrid membranes
Research Staff and Students
| Name | Position | Tel. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dr. Garret O'Donnell | Assistant Professor | +353 1 896 1184 | Garret.ODonnell@tcd.ie |
| Mr. Kevin Kelly | Assistant Professor | +353 1 896 1465 | Kevin.Kelly@tcd.ie |
| Dr. Rocco Lupoi | Assistant Professor | +353 1 896 1729 | lupoir@tcd.ie |
| Dr. Shaun Mc Fadden | Assistant Professor | +353 1 896 1359 | smcfadd@tcd.ie |
| Prof. John Monaghan | Professor Emeritus | +353 1 896 1464 | jmonghan@tcd.ie |
| Dr. Paul Harris | Postdoctoral Research Fellow | +353 1 896 2396 | harrisp@tcd.ie |
| Dr. Sean Nolan | Postdoctoral Research Fellow | +353 1 896 2396 | snolan1@tcd.ie |
| Mr. Rory Stoney | Postgraduate Research Student | +353 1 896 1134 | stoneyr@tcd.ie |
| Mr. Stuart Murphy | Postgraduate Research Student | +353 1 896 3431 | murphs12@tcd.ie |
| Mr. Eoin O'Driscoll | Postgraduate Research Student | +353 1 896 3431 | eodrisc@tcd.ie |
| Mr. Darren McDonnell | Postgraduate Research Student | +353 1 896 3431 | mcdonnd1@tcd.ie |
| Mr. Barry Aldwell | Postgraduate Research Student | +353 1 896 1383 | aldwellb@tcd.ie |
| Mr. Jeff Morgan | Postgraduate Research Student | +353 1 896 3431 | morganje@tcd.ie |
| Mr. Niall Aughney | Postgraduate Research Student | aughneyn@tcd.ie | |
| Mr. Ivor Humphreys | Postgraduate Research Student | +353 1 896 3038 | humphria@tcd.ie |
| Mr. Mark Culleton | Postgraduate Research Student | culletom@tcd.ie | |
| Mr. Conor Mc Ginn | Postgraduate Research Student | mcginncl@tcd.ie | |
| Mr. Robin Patrick Mooney | Postgraduate Research Student | mooneyrp@tcd.ie |
Equipment and Facilities
- DEFORM modelling software
- Micro-form-rolling machine
- Kistler force measurement equipment
- Vibration and Acoustic Emission sensors
- Power measurement sensors
- Micromilling machine
- Aerotech precision axes
- Westwind spindles
- High Speed Data Acquisition
- Benchtop injection moulding machine
- Charpy impact tester