Estia students inspecting their work.

This week the Estia students completed their Vacuum Cast workshop activities. 

Inspecting the Master parts using the CMM

 After the students reassembled their silicon moulds, they were able to pour their mixed resins to create a polyurethane part.

Resin mixing...adding a 'bit' of colour!!

Once solidified, the students were able to demould their parts and later inspect the dimensional accuracy of their component using a coordinate measuring machine.

Interesting demoulding technique!

Estia students visit Yamazaki Mazak

On the 3^rd October the Estia students visited the Yamazaki Mazak manufacturing plant at Worcester. During the visit the students observed a company presentation and were then taken on a factory of the manufacturing facilities. 

Dr Mark Stanford leading the students during the factory tour. 

To conclude the visit the students were treated to a CAD/CAM/CNC demonstration within Mazak’s European Technology Centre.

Mazak's European Technology Centre

CNC Manufacturing Equipment

The information and experience gained during the tour will be utilised within the Rapid Manufacturing Applications module on their master award.

Students visually inspecting CNC machined parts

Promoting BIM throughout the UK

Dr. David Heesom, a Reader in Building Information Modelling (BIM) at the School of Technology, University of Wolverhampton, has been commissioned by CITB Construction Skills and the National Construction College to provide seminars on to SME’s on the Benefits of using BIM.

Following on from the very successful ‘Heads-Up on BIM Implementation Conference’ held at the University earlier in the year, Dr. Heesom will be travelling the length and breadth of the England, Scotland and Wales from Perth to Southampton delivering the seminars in more than 20 locations. The half-day workshops are focused on discussing the benefits and myths of BIM for the SME in the construction industry. Throughout the sessions participants will learn more about what BIM is, how it can be implemented in a SME, what the costs might involve and how they can find support to start on the road of utilising this exciting new approach to construction.

For more information on the courses, our postgraduate BIM qualifications or on the support that the BIM Studio at the University of Wolverhampton can offer please contact Dr. David Heesom on d.heesom@wlv.ac.uk or 01902 322724. Alternatively you can visit our website at http://www.thebimstudio.com

Estia Students tackle Vacuum Casting and CAM Software

Students pouring the silicon and catalyst mixture 

into their VC mould boxes. Good work Mr Stick !!

As part of their Rapid Manufacturing Applications module, the Estia students have been based over at the Telford Campus all day creating silicon mould tools and utilising Vacuum Casting equipment as part of their practical tasks. With this stage now complete (only just!!), the mould tools will be split and used next week to create polyurethane parts ready for inspection thereafter.

During the parallel lectures the students got to grips with Delcam’s PowerMILL Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM) software in readiness for their Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machining tasks.

Group 2 (the PM session) looking rather proud of their achievements. 

Mould tools degasing for 20 minutes in the vacuum chamber…..’is it time for a coffee!!’ 

A busy, but very productive, fun day. Well Done all. ADD