The SCAPA research centre is a major initiative within the Scottish Universities Physics Alliance (SUPA). Facilities include state-of-the-art laser laboratories, laser-driven plasma accelerators and radiation sources. Research is focused on the development and application of next generation accelerator technology.
The Institute of Photonics operates an industry-standard cleanroom suite, currently located in the Technology and Innovation Centre, University of Strathclyde. It comprises fabrication and test equipment for manufacture of micro-scale optoelectronic and photonic devices. All of this equipment is available for external access on a hands-on or serviced basis. The primary use of the microfabrication facility in the Institute?s current research is production of customised GaN micro-LED arrays. However, the toolset is very versatile. It has also been used to fabricate InP and GaAs-based laser diodes, micro-optic components in diamond and sapphire, polymer flexible circuits, and bio-medical instrumentation, amongst other applications.
Purpose Used for hardness testing of metallographic specimens Specifications ; Hardness testing on all materials using indenter technique; Test load applied perpendicularly, without shock, and with defined application time and duration; Instantaneous read-out of hardness; Motor-operated table
Purpose Has multiple point EDM hole drilling capabilities with integrated rotating spindle allows automated erosion of holes at multiple locations with minimal intervention. On-board technology includes steel, carbide, aluminium, copper, brass cutting files. A Stainless steel table and work panel and 17 Electrode Guide Sets for 0.3 to 3.0 mm diameter hole drilling. Specifications Multiple point Electro Discharge drilling Automated erosion of holes at multiple locations with minimal intervention Drilling depths of up to 200mm Hole diameter min 0.3 mm/max 3 mm CNC control of all axes/keyless chuck eliminating need for special collets X-axis travel: 299.7 mm Y-axis travel: 198.1 mm Z-axis travel: 302.3 mm
This laboratory is equipped with state-of-the-art experimental facilities to support both research and commercial activities relating to Smart Grids, including a microgrid laboratory with a 90 kVA three-phase power hardware-in-the-loop (PHIL) capability and a real-time simulation suite.
PurposeThe Tool room Lathe offers the precision control of the Haas CNC system. They are very easy to learn and operate ? even without knowing G-code... for more information, see website below
PurposeA state of the art high speed forging press suitable for undertaking forging trials on a wide range of components and material types. The Schuler AG 2100 is a 2100 tonne direct drive screw press with 400mm press stroke... for more information, see website below
Purpose Front loading single chamber high vacuum furnace with convection assisted heating and overpressure gas quenching system. The furnace has a maximum temperature of 1400°C and works best between 530°C-1320°C. Used mainly for vacuum heat treatments and vacuum brazing in an argon chamber H250mm,W250mm and D350mm. Specifications - Vacuum heat treat furnace for wide variety of alloys - Working camber 250mm x 250mm x 350mm (22L vol) - Operating vacuum 10-4 - 10-5 mbar - Operating temperature 600°C-1300°C - 6 bar inert gas pressure quenching - Max permissible charge 15kW - Argon and Nitrogen gas environments
PurposeSupports experimental research programmes one step further with test work performed on large single and multi-sheet production components... for more information, see website below
Purpose Used for structural and chemical analysis of metallographic specimens. Magnification up to x1,000,000 and down to a resolution of 3nm Specifications ; Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) allows the observation microstructure in high magnification and superior resolution; Equipped with EBSD and EDX characterisation; Equipped with WDS/WDX; Electron Back-Scatter Diffraction (EBSD) for obtaining crystallographic information of materials; Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS or EDX): analytical technique used for the elemental analysis or chemical characterization
The Vibromet 2 is used to prepare high quality polished surfaces on a wide variety of materials, including EBSD applications for SEM analysis. The 7,200 cycles per minute horizontal motion produces a very effective polishing action, providing superior results, exceptional flatness and less deformation.
The Power Networks Demonstration Centre is a venture founded by government, industrial and academic partners with the aim of accelerating the adoption of innovative research and technologies from early stage research into business as usual adoption by the electricity industry.
Purpose Optical surface characterisation Specifications ; Non-contact optical 3 dim. surface digitisation based on Focus-Variation; Surface profile form and roughness measurement; Surface topography Ra above 10-15 nm with a Lc of 2um, surface structure dependent; Minimum vertical repeatability less than 0.12; Best vertical resolution in the range of 10 to 410 nm; Fully automated and programmable xyz stages; 5x, 20x, 50x and 100x objective
Purpose Used for automatic, micro-processor controlled electrolytic polishing and etching of metallographic specimens. With a scanning function for easy determinations of parameters, built-in safety features, and a database with methods for various materials, short polishing times and maximum reproducibility are achieved. Specifications ; Automatic micro process control of electrolytic polishing and etching of metallographic specimens; Scanning function for easy determination of parameters; Short polishing times; Polish unit width 220mm; Polish unit depth 350mm; Polish unit height 160mm
Using a matrix mixed with the sample Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption Ionisation can be used in two different modes. Reflectron for fast analysis of small molecules and Linear mode for larger molecules,typically proteins and polymers. Mass range 20-100,000 Da.
The Scottish Centre of Excellence in Satellite Applications aims to foster economic growth by engaging with innovative small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs), large companies and the public sector to grow commercial Satellite Applications. The Centre?s focus is within a range of sectors including Energy, Maritime, Transport and Future Cities helping to stimulate growth of satellite applications and the economy, both in Scotland, and across the UK
Purpose Suited for stress relieving, tempering, normalising, annealing and other ‘low’ temperature processes. Specifications - Heating by resistance wire elements on both sides of chamber - Double skin construction for cool outer skin temperature - Single hinged double seal door to minimise heat loss - Maximum operating temperature of 750°C - Maximum power 24kW - Volume 324L - Chamber width – 600mm - Chamber height – 600mm - Chamber depth – 900mm
PurposeWith micron resolution the Coordinate Measuring Machine (CMM) is a very flexible measurement solution and is capable of measuring most geometries with excellent accuracy... for more information, see website below
Purpose Hydraulically operated testing machine used to study the room temperature formability of sheet materials (thickness: 0.3 to 4mm) by conducting tests like Nakajima test, Marciniak test, Ericsson test, earing test and cupping tests Specifications ; Testing of formability of sheet metal; Testing the influences of surface treatments, coatings and lubricants; Hydraulic cup extractor through integrated piston, with piston rod functioning via punch; Hydraulic opening and closing of tool head; Drawing force up to 1000kN; Ram stroke of 150mm; Deep draw speed of 0-750mm/min; Sample size up to 260mm wide
Incubated/refrigerated units featuring a easy side access drain system Foot pedal for hands-free operation Large slanted viewing window Specifications: Motor: Triple eccentric drive, Capacity: Six 4L flasks, four 6L flasks, or six 2800mL Fernbach flasks, Orbit: 1 in. (2.5cm), Platform L x W: 30 x 18 in. (76 x 46cm), Overall L x W x H: 32 x 41 x 41 in. (81.3 x 104.1 x 104.1cm), Load Capacity: 75 lb. (34kg)
PurposeA most versatile machine, capable of cutting 45? cones, and can do this whatever the height of the part. The principle of crossed double guiding of the X, Y, U and V axes independently and of the same dimensions, allows machining to be done with a large taper, thus widening the scope of possible applications for wire spark erosion.Interesting fact: The history of EDM Machining techniques goes as far back as the 1770s when it was discovered by an English Scientist Joseph Priestley... for more information, see website below
Solvent Racks SRD incorporates a low-volume (670 μL), chemically-inert degasser with four channels. Quaternary pump ideally-suited for method development, as well as for analytical research and routine analysis in the pharmaceutical, food and beverage, and environmental industries. Autosampler with temperature controlled column compartment. UV-Vis data from up to four different wavelengths between 190 and 800 nm simultaneously.
P S Analytical have designed the PSA Millennium Excalibur to be able to measure Arsenic in solids, sludges and liquids. The instrument combines the advantages of vapour generation techniques which removes most interference with the sensitivity and selectivity of atomic fluorescence spectrometry. Atomic fluorescence spectrometry gives the added advantage of excellent linearity which in this case is over 5 orders of magnitude. By a simple lamp change via the easy access lamp chamber, the instrument is also able to measure low ppt levels of
Purpose The Jones & Shipman 524/624 Easy, has been designed specifically to offer unrivalled ease-of-use coupled to the highest levels of precision and accuracy when surface grinding. Specifications ; Produces precision ground surfaces and accurate surface finishes across wide range of materials; Fast removal rates and rapid forming of wheel profiles; Grinding capacities up to 600mm x 200mm x 375mm; Grinding wheel size up to 254mmx32mm; Fanuc controller
Purpose The Tool room Mill, is a versatile machine that combines the functionality and simplicity of a manual mill with the power and flexibility of the Haas CNC control, making it the perfect machine for tool rooms and shops transitioning to CNC. Specifications ; Vertical milling machine capable of machining wide range of materials; Max spindle rating 5.6kW; Max speed 4000rpm; 45Nm@1200rpm; X-axis travel – 1016mm; Y-axis travel – 406mm; Z-axis travel – 406mm
Purpose Screw driven machine used to study the mechanical behaviour of metallic materials under compression, tensile and cyclic loading conditions. Specifications - Mechanically driven test frame - Capacity of 250kN - Temperature rates - 10-5/s to 0.1/s - Tensile/ Compression - Gas retort for high temperature testing of materials - Contact/ non-contact extensometry - Can be controlled in either a positional, load-controlled to true strain rate mode - Bespoke software designed for complex testing modes involving rapid changes to the strain rate
The Advanced Materials Research Laboratory (AMRL) is a world leading research laboratory and testing centre. We offer a wide range of services from consultancy to full component testing. Housed in the department of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering at Strathclyde University, the AMRL works with many industrial, government and academic organisations as research partners.
Purpose Optical analysis of metallographic specimens. Capable of brightfield, darkfield, DIC, and simple polarization observations Specifications ; General optical microscopy; X1000 magnification; AnalSIS software embedded; Single lever switchover for brightfield/darkfield observation