"A Self Adaptive Operating Strategy for STEP-NC compliant CNC systems for Energy Efficient Machining"

Name: Mr. Mahanama Dharmawardene (PhD Candidate)

Description:

The research is to develop an adaptive, closed loop, STEP-NC complaint Open Architecture Control system for a CNC machine to optimize the cutting conditions. Primary objectives are as follows:

Funding Source: University of Peradeniya Research Grant,2016

Total Amount of the Grant: Rs. 1.8 Million

Collaborations with: Transilvania University of Brasov, Romania.

Duration of the project: 3 years

Names of the Investigators: Dr. Asanga Ratnaweera

All publications arose from the research project:

Research-related overseas/ local visits (details of objectives and activities performed; conferences):

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"Improvement of Filament Properties and Inter-Layer Bonding Strength of Poly Lactic Acid/ Wood Fiber Composites in Extrusion-based Additive Manufacturing"

Name: Mrs. W.M.S.B. Kumarasinghe (MPhil candidate)

Description:

This research study focuses on the mechanisms of improving interlayer bonding in 3D printing as well as investigating the mechanical interlocking of layers with wood-fiber-based composite filaments. The primary objectives of the research are as follows:

Funding Source:University of Peradeniya Research Grant 2019

Total Amount of the Grant: Rs. 450,000.00

Duration:2 years

Names of the Investigators: Dr. W. A. Manamperi (Principal Investigator) ,Dr. P. Gamage (Co-Investigator)

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"Development and Characterization of Cassava Starch-Based Thermoplastics for Engineering Applications"

Name: Mrs. N.M.L. Fernando (PhD Candidate)

Description:

UOP has already developed and tested economical and biodegradable cassava starch-based cast films that do not use environmentally harmful ingredients as raw material. However, these plastics need to be further improved for superior water resistance and mechanical behavior in order to compete with their petroleum-based counterparts. The primary objectives of this research are as follows:

Funding Source:The World Bank [under the Accelerating Higher Education Expansion and Development (AHEAD) Operation]

Total Amount of the Grant: Rs. 40 Million

Duration: 3 years

Names of the Investigators: Dr. W. A. Manamperi (Principal Investigator),Dr. W. M. J. A. S. B. Manipura (Co-Investigator), Dr. C A Gunathilake (Co-Investigator),Dr. A. K. Kulathunge (Co-Investigator)

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"Development and Characterization of Cassava Starch-Based Thermoplastics for Engineering Applications"

Name: Ms.A.P.S.M.Amaraweera (MPhil Candidate)

Description:

The primary objectives of this research are as follows:

Funding Source:The World Bank [under the Accelerating Higher Education Expansion and Development (AHEAD) Operation]

Total Amount of the Grant: Rs. 40 Million

Duration: 2 years

Names of the Investigators: Dr. W. A. Manamperi (Principal Investigator), Dr. W. M. J. A. S. B. Manipura (Co-Investigator),Dr. C A Gunathilake (Co-Investigator),Dr. A. K. Kulathunge (Co-Investigator)

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"Enhancing the formability property of sheet materials in manufacturing automotive panels."

Name: Mr. M.L.R. Meragalge (MPhil Candidate)

Description:

This study is mainly focusing on determining the effect of lubricants at elevated temperatures with different, tool geometries and tool parameters on the formability level of aluminum alloy AA 2xxx sheets to enhance its formability to produce automobile body parts. The primary objectives of the research are as follows:

Funding Source:Indo-Lanka research grant, Grant no: MSTR/TRD/AGR/3/02/16

Total Amount of the Grant: Rs. 3.6 Million

Duration: 2 years

Collaboration with: Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati

Names of the Investigators: Dr. P. Gamage (Principal Investigator),Dr. N.K.B.M.P. Nanayakkara (Co-Investigator)

Time Period: 15th July 2019 – 22nd July 2019

Venue: IIT Guwahati, India

Participants: Prof. P. S. Robi, Deputy- Director, Indian Institute of Technology Prof. R. Ganesh Narayan - Professor, Indian Institute of Technology Dr. P. Gamage - Manufacturing and Industrial Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Peradeniya

The joint efforts for winning a competitive research grant under Indo-Lanka inter-governmental Science and Technology Cooperation programme, delegate from University of Peradeniya (Dr. P. Gamage, Department of Manufacturing and Industrial Engineering) visited IIT, Guwahati as a part of a project titled “forming of automotive materials at elevated temperature and selection of lubricants for sustainable manufacturing” during the 3rd week of July 2019. This joint research program has already laid a solid foundation between two institutes for future research collaborations. Therefore, the main purpose of this visit was to discuss the current situation, progress and the potential activities in relation to the Indo-Lanka Joint Research Program between the two institutions

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"Enhancing the Performance of Solid Resilience Tires Using Finite Element Analysis"

Name: Mr. W.A.A.S. Premarathna (MPhil Candidate)

Description:

This research is primarily focused on the analysis of solid resilience tires. Both Finite Element Method (FEM) and experimental methods will be used in the investigations. Studies will be carried out to investigate the impact of temperature along with tire tread design for solid resilience tires by developing suitable three dimensional (3-D) FE models. The primary objectives of the research are as follows:

Funding Source: Self-funding

Collaborations with: Elastomeric Engineering Company Ltd, Horana.

Duration: 2 years

Names of the Supervisors: Dr. C.D. Senanayake (Principal Investigator),Dr. K.K. Wijesundara (Co-Investigator),Dr. Pramila Gamage (Co-Investigator),Dr. J.A.S.C. Jayasinghe (Co-Investigator),Dr. R.R.M.S.K. Ranatunge (Co-Investigator)

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"Enhance Competitiveness of Small and Medium scale local Manufacturing Sector with Sustainable Manufacturing Concepts"

Name: Mr. M.P.R.L. Peiris (MPhil Candidate)

Description:

This research study focuses on the ultimate goal on the enhancement of sustainable manufacturing on local manufacturing sector. Therefore, the research aim defines to deplete the main barrier of the lack of completeness by establishing the paradigms by facilitating life cycle assessments, eco-designs and decision support systems. The primary objectives of the research can be stated as below,

Funding Source: National Research Council

Total Amount of the Grant: Rs. 2.9 Million

Duration: 2 years

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"Design and Development of Decision Support System for Eco-Design Based on Life Cycle Management "

Name: Mr. S. Kamalakkannan (MPhil Candidate)

Description:

The aim of this research study is to enhance the sustainability of the manufacturing industry through up to date LCM by Design and Developing a DSS combining real-time data acquisition (with the help of IoT technology) and parametric modeling for LCA in order to facilitate eco-design and eco-innovation. The primary objectives of the research are as follows:

Funding Source: Self-funded

Duration: 2 years

Names of the Investigators: Dr. A.K. Kulatunga (Principal Investigator)

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"Design and Development of a Decision Support System to evaluate the different segments of a Supply Chain using Sustainable Manufacturing concepts"

Name: Mr. S. Kamalakkannan (MPhil Candidate)

Description:

This study aims to develop a tool which can be used to identify the sustainable issues in an established manufacturing industry and to provide guidance as a decision support system for sustainable manufacturing. The objective of the proposed study can be given as follows.