Characterisation and post processing
Design, build and charactise all in one place
Our facility is equipped with a range of different characterisation equipment and pre and post fabrication tools to support mechanical testing and optimise designs.
Characterisation tools
Nano-scale hardness survey under computer control. Low Load & High Load stylus.
Fast non-contact, non-destructive measurement. Imaging without Sample Preparation. XY Axis - lateral resolution of down to 120nm. Z Axis Resolution - Z axis resolution of 10nm. Images slopes of up to 87.5 degrees. Stage Movement 100mm x 100mm. Ability to Observe and Measure transparent layers on the surface of transparent sample. Visualisation of nanometer micro surface contours using Laser Differential Interference Contract (DIC).
A versatile hardness testing solution covering the Vickers, Knoop and
Brinell hardness test methods. Micro/macro hardness tester based on load cell technology for the automatic testing of Vickers, Knoop and Brinell. With extended test load range of 0.098 – 306.4 N (10 gf – 31.25 kgf). With integrated PC and 15” touchscreen, high-resolution camera, automatic illumination, automatic focus, automatic image evaluation, motorized Z-axis and motorized XY-stage (size 357x208, stroke 220x120 mm). Overview camera with FOV 200x160 mm. With software for fully automatic case depth evaluation. With motorized 6+1-position measurement turret. Test height 0-148 mm.
Robust manual grinding and polishing table-top 250 or 300 mm diameter disc solution for fast, reliable specimen preparation with removable bowl liner and splash ring.
POWDERFLOW™ is a comprehensive powder flow measurement kit, which allows users to quickly and fully characterise the powder flow to known ASTM standards, such as Carney and Hall flow, and tap density of the powders.
The GranuDrum is a tool for analyzing powder cohesion. It operates by rotating a drum filled with the powder sample and taking snapshots at different velocities. The software then analyses the pictures to determine the cohesive index, flowing angle, and other properties such as flowability, thixotropy, caking, and aeration.
Pre and post fabrication
Solidworks CAD software, Materialise Magics STL Editor Software, machine software interfaces – slicers – Simplify 3D, Chitubox etc.
Abrasive blasting [glass beads & garnet] Vibropolishing [plastic media/ metal media], Rumbling, hand tool finishing. Machining services are outsourced.
- Makino U6 HEAT EDM Machine - the controlled electrical discharge process generates a non-contact electric discharge phenomenon between an electrode and workpiece which was immersed into the dielectric fluid. The controllable discharge power allow machine to perform high precision and fine machining process. A wire electrical discharge machine is an electrical discharge machine which performs electrical discharge machining by using a wire electrode. The range of wire electrode used from 0.05-0.4mm wire diameter based on the WEDM vertical machine models. The machine can hold a workpiece 910 L x 710 W x 420 H mm.
- Glass Bead Blaster
- Ceramic Rumbler - for finishing of parts with 3 grades of rumbling aggregate available- fine, medium & course.
