PERSONNEL SNAPSHOTS
ATKINS radiation absorption. Specially adapted print
The aim of the ATKINS research project —
heads are used to print specially created,
under Richard Hague and Dr. Chris Tuck — is to
radiation absorbing materials (RAMs) selectively
Richard Hague
migrate from energy intensive and wasteful
across a build bed. The whole bed surface is
PhD, BEng (Hons) manufacture methods, to a more sustainable
then exposed to infra-red energy, causing the
Richard Hague is Professor of Innovative Manufacturing and means of production, service and distribution. printed areas to heat up and the underlying
head of the AMRG at Loughborough University. With
Central to this remit is the use of AM
powder to sinter while the un-printed areas
significant experience in leading large and complex research
technologies, which can build complex designs,
remain as loose powder. The research has
projects with multiple partners, he is Principal Investigator on
without the waste and swarf generated in
focused on reducing energy absorption in the
over £7M of funded research projects. His research is
conventional manufacturing processes.
un-printed areas and optimising parameters
focused on the future technologies and design implications
of AM and he is internationally recognised for instigating and
Moreover, the materials used can be recycled
such that parts with complex geometries and
leading work covering many aspects of AM.
and reused, thus contributing to a decrease in
fine details can be produced.
carbon emission levels. Further studies in
Phill Dickens
topological optimisation and material property SUPPORTING BUSINESSES
BSc (Hons) PhD Doctor Honaris Causa
analysis are expected to augment the project by In addition to fundamental and applied research,
Phill Dickens is the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Enterprise) and creating light weight and functionally optimised the AMRG also engages in business support
leads the University's core strategies of building on its components. Although at the cutting edge of activities such as technology transfer, training
knowledge transfer achievements and exploiting further its
academic thinking, ATKINS is not just an and knowledge dissemination. Much of this is
intellectual assets. As Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Enterprise), Phill
academic exercise, as the project is being managed through a dedicated ‘Knowledge Hub’.
directs all activities within the Enterprise Office and is also
financially backed by companies including
responsible for maximising the scope for innovation and
Bentley, Boeing, Virgin Atlantic, Delphi, Alcon,
creativity in the expansion of this area. Phill started working
ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING KNOWLEDGE
on Rapid Prototyping in 1991 at the University of Nottingham
MTT and Econolyst. In total, ATKINS involves 30
HUB
and developed the concept into Rapid Manufacturing.
people from across nine organisations, with an
The Additive Manufacturing Knowledge Hub
impressive budget of £2.9M.
(AMKH), previously known as the RM
Graham Tromans Consortium, has been established to provide
Graham Tromans’s role within the AMKH is to forge the link SMART MATERIAL STRUCTURES BY
companies with access to the latest technology,
between the AMRG and Industry, focusing on technology
ULTRASONIC CONSOLIDATION research findings and knowledge generated by
transfer. Graham has represented the UK Government's DTI on
Ultrasonic Consolidation (UC) is an AM process the AMRG. The AMKH is led by Graham
Overseas Science and Technology Experts Missions, looking
based on the ultrasonic bonding of a sequence Tromans, an industrial expert in the applications
at developments in AM technology and applications. In 2007,
Graham became a Master-Level Rapid Technologies &
of metal foils. The aim of this project, led by Dr. of AM. Graham's background and exhaustive
Additive Manufacturing (RTAM) Certificate holder — he is
Russell Harris, is to investigate and understand knowledge of the processes and their
the first and only person to be awarded this tribute in the UK
the relevant controlling mechanisms capabilities for specific applications is without a
to date. Graham is currently Vice-Chair of the RTAM steering
surrounding the fabrication of metal-matrix doubt central to the momentum that the AMKH
committee in the USA and will Chair in 2010. Graham is also
structures with embedded activation and has gathered. With a range of membership
currently Chair of the Additive Manufacturing Association measurement devices, which could allow levels available, the AMKH has generated a
(AMA) here in the UK. monitoring and/or alteration of the part distinctive framework that can offer access to a
geometry to adapt to different situations. The range of technologies and services tailored to
Neil Hopkinson
research is focused on how to overcome current individual member needs.
PhD, BEng(Hons)
obstacles that prevent the technology's
Neil Hopkinson is a Senior lecturer at Loughborough and is
progression towards further, high value industrial The AMKH also has direct links with the
recognised as one of the top 25 most influential people in the
AM industry. Neil is lead inventor of high speed sintering and
applications. Department of Design & Technology at
lead editor of the world's first book on AM. He has won
Loughborough — another world-leading centre
various global awards for technology and published over 100
SELECTIVE LASER MELTING OF 24 CARAT of excellence for product and industrial design.
papers, including over 35 journal papers. Neil is GOLD
Harnessing the combined levels of knowledge
Loughborough's inaugural Senior Enterprise Fellow and
To date, very little AM research has been carried
and expertise across these two departments
initiated the scheme across the University. He has made
out using precious metals such as gold and its
ensures unprecedented access to the most
numerous TV appearances and has featured in mass media
alloys. The AMRG is engaged in a research
forward-thinking experts available.
films/articles. Neil is regularly invited as a keynote speaker at
project that focuses on using the Selective Laser
numerous events globally. He is an Invited Lecturer at
Melting (SLM) process to sinter 24 carat gold.
COLLABORATION, STANDARDS AND AN
University of Queensland and is Visiting Professor at
University of Louisville.
This research, led by Professor Phill Dickens, is INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON
investigating the potential for laser melting 24 ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING
Chris Tuck
carat gold powder using an SLM 100, which is
Although clearly leading the way in AM
EngD, BSc (Hons)
intended for highly detailed and small-featured
research, the AMRG is also open to
Chris Tuck joined the AMRG in April 2003 and has since production parts. The very small laser spot size collaboration, working closely with other global
gained a great deal of experience and knowledge in the field and smaller build area, together with the ability
universities such as the Georgia Institute of
of AM. Chris has successfully performed and managed a
of the SLM process to completely melt powder
Technology. The group is also heavily involved
number of research projects in AM for research council,
and produce parts with much higher density and
with the new ASTM AM standards committee
government and industry funding sources. Chris has
strength, makes the SLM 100 highly suitable for
(ASTM F42), with Richard Hague sitting on the
numerous academic journal and international conference
processing precious metals and their alloys.
papers in the area of RM and has acted as referee for a
main committee.
number of key international academic journals.
Influential laser processing parameters affecting
the sintering of gold powder have been
Also, to ensure the widespread dissemination of
Russell Harris
identified and varied to establish optimum
AM knowledge, the AMRG has, for the last four
PhD, BEng (Hons)
process strategy.
years, hosted an International Conference on
Dr. Russell Harris is an established researcher of production Additive Manufacturing, which takes place on
technologies through European and Nationally funded HIGH SPEED SINTERING the University campus each July. The 2010
research projects. His achievements to date are demonstrated
This project, which started life as a strategic- conference will take place on July 7–8, 2010.
by over 70 publications, research funding and prestigious
funded research project, is investigating the For information, please visit www.am-
prize awards, including the IMechE Donald Julius Groen prize
viability of a new AM process — High Speed
conference.com. Or for more information on all
2003 for research in Structural Technology and Materials and
Sintering. So far, the project, led by Dr. Neil the research, technologies and staff within the
the IMechE PE Publishing Award 2007 for research in
Engineering in Medicine.
Hopkinson, has succeeded in developing the AMRG, please take a look at the newly launched
process through the use of printing and infra-red website at
www.lboro.ac.uk/amrg
54 tct 17/6
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