Facilities at uws

  Laboratories and Workshops 

The School of Computing, Engineering and Physical Sciences has extensive laboratory and testing facilities which are listed below. 

i. Structural Engineering and Materials Testing. 

- 1x ESH Tension/Compression Testing Machine – 1000kN capacity

- 1x Instron 100kN universal tester

- 1x Instron 50kN universal tester

- Instron Video Extensometer (New)

- Boeing Compression after Impact Test Fixture - Composites

- ITTRI Compression Test Fixture - Composites

- Boeing Open Hole Test Fixture - Composites 

- 3 and 4 Point Bend Fixtures – Composites

- Plate Buckling Fixture

- Instrumented Composite Materials Impact Tester 

- Charpy Impact testing rig,

- Vickers and Rockwell hardness testing machines including portable Vickers equipment.

The Materials Science Laboratory offers modern facilities in materials science and microstructural analysis technology. Developed in conjunction with Buehler Kräutkramer it houses specimen preparation equipment for microscopic analysis including a precision sectioning saw, an abrasive cutter, an electro-hydraulic mounting press and a semi-automatic grinder/polisher. This equipment is supplemented with the Omnimet image analysis system which enables computer based quantitative microstructural analysis of most engineering materials. 

Applications of the facility include: ASTM grain sizing, measurement of porosity in ceramics, modularity in cast irons, inclusion ratings, failure analysis, measurement of coating thickness (e.g. plasma layers, galvanised coatings), material phase analysis, composite materials volume fraction analysis.

A benchtop polymer processing facility is located in a separate area of the laboratory. This equipment enables injection moulding, blow moulding, compression moulding, vacuum forming and extrusion to be demonstrated on a laboratory scale. Moulding can be undertaken manually or under computer control. The School also has a Hitachi Scanning Electron Microscope (EDM/EDX) which is used for more detailed analysis and EDX work when required. A new SEM has been approved at significant cost which is accessible across the School. 

Studies such as pressure distribution related to flow around objects, effect of high lift devices on lift and drag can be carried out.

The facilities in the laboratory consist of a Hurco 5-Axis Machining Centre incorporating automatic tool changing, in-process gauging and a DNC interface. In addition, the area also houses two Bridgeport Textron series I CNC Vertical Mill. Computer aided part programming software is available within the laboratory using CAMWRITE, a PC based system.

Due to the expansion of research work in this area a dedicated room was developed for the purpose of producing out-of-autoclave composite specimens. Facilities within the room include, bench mounted composites oven, resin infusion process equipment, wet layup process equipment and NDT Ultrasonic testing equipment.

This laboratory was a joint development between the Companies and the University at a cost in the region of £200,000. The highlights of the laboratory include a computer-controlled co-ordinate measuring machine (CMM), a Quick-Vision non-contacting co-ordinate measuring machine for 3D programmable measurement and scanning, a laser micrometre with computed Statistical Process Control output, a roundness tester with graphics plotter, a surface tester with Statistical Quality Control and a digital height gauge. Many other smaller metrology items are available within the facility.

The Product Design Centre has brought together existing and new technologies, concentrated in one area, which provides modern facilities for Product Design and Development. These include a 3D Systems Thermojet, Rapid Prototyping machine, Roland 3D Digital Scanner, Stratasys Fusion Deposition prototyping machine, Vacuum Casting Machine. Composites Manufacture area. Plastic forming facilities include a small injection-moulding machine, hot wire forming machines and strip heaters, a vacuum forming machine, a dome-blowing machine and a profile router. New 3D printers have been ordered, large format Big-Rep and continuous filament reinforced Markforged Mark Two. This is a significant investment in our 3D printing facilities and will support us to further develop our product development research and enterprise activities.  

 The facility is used to support all academic and research work and is manned by a highly experienced technician team. The lab is used for instrumentation purposes and has an extensive collection of Data Capture devices including various data loggers to complement the experimental strain gauging work.  

The laboratory provides a comprehensive range of specialised equipment for noise and vibration testing. The facility houses a 140 cubic metre anechoic chamber for the accurate measurement and analysis of sound. Much of the acoustic equipment is portable which permits on-site measurement of noise levels.

Students have also access to the Biomechanics Laboratory based on the UWS Lanarkshire Campus. This has generally been used only for final year projects where gait analysis and force plate activities can be undertaken.