SUNDAY 3RD AUGUST, 2014 – UWI TODAY
11
ENERGY
RESEARCH
components are imported. Without violating intellectual
property rights, 3D scanning and printing technology
allows us to very easily model and manufacture prototypes
for most items. And from these prototypes they can be
mass produced.
3D printing and competitiveness
Whenspeaking tomembersof theFacultyofEngineering
concerned with innovation and competitiveness, the
importance of “time” is a consistent theme.
“Time is the key,” says Professor Brian Copeland, Dean
of the Faculty of Engineering. “You have to get there fast.
You do your utmost to get it done to the highest possible
standard within the window of opportunity.”
This is one of the main reasons that 3D printing is so
compelling to Dr. Chowdary and the MME Department.
3D printers are an “on-demand” technology. For example, a
patient with a bone fracture could potentially have the bone
scanned, have the scan converted into a 3D image, have that
image printed, and provide himwith the necessary prosthetic
before he leaves the doctor’s office. This is impossible with
conventional manufacturing since a prosthetic designed
specifically for a patient’s shape, weight and structure would
require iterations of models and trials.
Dr. Chowdary says, “When we need to compete
internationally, time counts. If we are behind, someone else
will take our position.”
Havingcommittedhimself to the causeofmanufacturing
engineering in the region, Dr. Chowdary is an almost exact
blend of urgency and patience. In his almost 12 years with
the faculty he has seen the progress of manufacturing
engineering achieve successes and suffer setbacks. With the
support of the Faculty of Engineering, the broader university
and even the Government of Trinidad and Tobago, he has
overseen the restructuring of the CNC Laboratory; the
acquisition of equipment like various CNC machines such
as mills, lathes and routers; a 3D scanner and now the 3D
FORTUS printer.
InSeptember 2014 the facultywill launch its restructured
MSc in Manufacturing Engineering and Management, a
research degree programme for both full and part-time
students that stresses linkages between the university and
industry. The programme, Dr. Chowdary explains, was
developed in part to meet the needs of the manufacturing
sector:
“We are in touch with the industry since 2004 and
continuously survey the local manufacturing industry
operations to find out how we could more effectively
support them. What we found, especially among small-
scale participants, was that they wanted to implement more
advanced and effective technology solutions but could not
afford to send their personnel abroad for training.Thus there
is a need for trainedmanufacturing engineers andmanagers
and UWI should work to meet that need.”
It’s been challenging. The discipline of engineering is
very much tied to oil and gas, by far Trinidad and Tobago’s
most dynamic sector.This has lead to inertia in building new
courses of study in areas likemanufacturing engineering and
management which are important for diversification.
“Initially, some people were not enthusiastic,” Dr.
Chowdary says. “From their perspective they are right.
The country has had a successful oil and gas sector for
20 to 30 years. These are the jobs students are looking for
when they graduate. ‘Why struggle with manufacturing?’
they ask me.”
He says, “I tell them that approach is not right. Oil
and gas are finite resources. What happens when they are
exhausted? Don’t expect overnight that God will come
and save the economy. We have to come up with ways
and means to generate economic activity. We have to take
entrepreneurial kinds of approaches.”
Dr. Chowdary is undeterred, and with the MSc
programme and the addition of the 3D scanner and FDM
machine to the CNC laboratory, manufacturing engineering
has made concrete progress within the university.
Currently he is developing plans to target niche areas for
manufacturing, such as components for the agriculture,
automobile and aerospace industry.
“We are taking small steps, he says, “looking for that
area where we can manufacture a competitive product.
I want to show the strength of this university and this
department, as well as the people of T&T.”
And to truly make it happen, manufacturing
engineering’s number one advocate cannot do it alone. If,
as is often stated, diversification is urgent andmanufacturing
is viable, the Department of MME within the Faculty of
Engineering at UWI St Augustine is developing a powerful
tool for future prosperity. And as any tool it has to be
used.
“This ismy purpose.This ismy aim,” says Dr. Chowdary.
“If the stakeholders are ready I ammore thanwilling to share
my expertise so that we can make it happen.”
TheFDMProcess
FDMtechnology forms
3D objects (specifically rapid prototypes) from
computer generated models. A temperature
controlled head extrudes froma thermoplastic
wire spool that builds an item, 2D layer by 2D
layer, until it forms a complete 3D object.
In general, the manufacturing process can be
broken into five stages.
1.
Create a 3D solid part model through a
computer aided design (CAD) package.
2.
Export the 3D model to the FDM
software in stereo lithography (STL)
format.
3.
Slice the STL model into 2-dimensional
(2D) sections or contours.
4.
The 3D printer (FDM) builds the
prototype using thermoplastic by
applying 2D layer upon layer.
5.
Post-process the prototype by cleaning,
curing and finishing.
Union Matters
On June 24,
we signed the agreement
with WIGUT. A historic good moment
for our Campus as the agreement was
signed within the triennium - without any
disruption to classes, exams etc. WIGUT
understood the state of the economy
and the challenges currently facing The
UWI.
Negot i at ions with the OWTU
for revised terms and conditions of
employment for both the daily rated
and monthly paid workers are ongoing.
We are hopeful that the Office of the
Chief Personnel Officer will give us the
necessary guidelines to conclude these
negotiations shortly.
