Sponsors Partners: Studentship is fully funded by EPSRC and Rolls-Royce
Proposed start date: August / Sept 2014, other dates up to Sept 2014 may be negotiable.
Stipend: Tax free stipend of £18,000 per year, plus all tuition fees paid at UK/EU rates.
Deadline for applications:Â 20th January 2014
Project Description
Currently up to 80% of material is machined away during the manufacture of some aerospace components. Modern high strength / high performance materials are both expensive and difficult to machine so it is no longer economical to manufacture components in this way. The aerospace and related industries are therefore driving towards ânear-netâ manufacture, where material waste is minimised.
There is therefore a growing need to investigate and reassess the capabilities of existing and new manufacturing processes for what are known as âlow stock removal / high-quality surface generating subtractive technologiesâ. There are many gaps in existing knowledge in the fundamental capabilities of such technologies, their effective applications, lifecycle performance measures and routes to optimisation.Â
The objective of this study is to investigate the range of abrasive media finishing processes and technologies to provide a knowledge database for their application on aerospace components. Research will focus on achievement of final surface integrity for selected high value aerospace applications.
The applicant will become proficient in machining science with a strong manufacturing, production engineering content and be a key member of a collaborative research team. Frequent interaction with tooling and equipment suppliers, the sponsors Rolls-Royce, and The University of Sheffield is required.
Eligibility
Applicants must have, or expect to get, a 1st or good 2.1 degree in a relevant subject e.g. manufacturing (i.e. machining) engineering, mechanical, aerospace or materials engineering; and be willing to get involved in hands-on activities.
Due to EPSRC residency requirements, this project is open only to UK and EU applicants who have been resident in the UK for at least 3 years immediately preceding the start of the course.
How to Apply
All applications should be submitted online. For more information and to submit an application, please use the âApplyâ button below.
About the IDC in Machining Science
The IDC in Machining Science is a collaboration between the University of Sheffieldâs award winning Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) and our highly regarded Faculty of Engineering.Â
We offer four-year EngD studentships combining PhD-level research based on real business problems identified by the industrial sponsors, with a programme of taught courses tailored to the research project. Students spend approximately 75% of their time working directly with the sponsor (at the sponsor’s premises and/or at AMRC as appropriate).
For an informal discussion, in the first instance please contact the IDC in Machining Science Centre Manager, Dr Andrea Haworth a.haworth@sheffield.ac.uk.