Alumni Association
Dr. Adam Clare (University of Nottingham)
01 May 2014
JSPS Joint Research Project
Project title: "Study on Wire Electrical Discharge Slicing of Single Crystals."
Japanese scientific lead: Professor Masanori Kunieda, Department of Precision Engineering, School of Engineering, University of Tokyo
UK Counterpart: Dr. Adam Clare, Institute for Advanced Manufacturing, University of Nottingham
Project Duration: April 2012 to March 2014
The subject of this collaboration relates to manufacturing technology development. Unlike ‘conventional’ machining methods the use of non-conventional manufacturing processes such as electrical discharge machining and electrolyte jet machining allows the processing of resilient or more specialist engineering materials. Hence these are well suited to niche high value applications, critical to the Japanese and the British manufacturing base. This family of processes are not yet fully exploited and fundamental research is required here to ensure that their full potential is reached. An ongoing collaboration is enjoyed by the investigators who collaborate widely with Japanese machine makers Mitsubishi and Sodick. Following a short term fellowship and an invited fellowship a bilateral research project was established between the investigators. This allowed the movement of researchers between laboratories and allowed the team to develop the research area still further. Additional JSPS awards Bridge (Adam Clare) and short term fellowship (James Murray, Nottingham PhD) permitted return visits to the University of Tokyo. Critical to this collaboration was the use of unique hardware at the University of Tokyo and unique characterization equipment at the University of Nottingham. Through the course of this collaboration Mr Murray and Mr Koyano (UoT) have both completed their PhDs in complimentary areas which gives further strength to our collaboration. Key outputs include one journal publication and two conference papers which demonstrate the value of our collaboration. Invited lectures have been exchanged at both campuses and we are pleased to report that both teams have expanded their network of contacts in the UK and Japan.
