| Rapid Manufacturing Research Group |
|
|
Dr Rupert Soar Lecturer/Consortium Project Manager Ph.D. "An Examination of the Feasibility and Design Limitations of Laminate Tooling for Pressure Die-Casting", De Montfort University. MSc Manufacturing Systems, Manufacturing Engineering and Management, University of Nottingham. |
 |
+44-1509-227637|
Background Rupert became involved in Rapid Prototyping and Tooling during his studies at the University of Nottingham. This involved experimental work into the feasibility of Thermal Spraying techniques for Rapid Tooling applications and later in the rapid development of mass-produced Gas Regulation units for British Gas plc. Rupert joined the Rapid Prototyping and Manufacturing Research Group at the University of Nottingham in 1995 exploring the potential for Laminate Tooling for various moulding applications. This led to an EPSRC scholarship to develop the process specifically for the High Pressure Die-casting Industry as a means to implementing Time Compression Technologies for which he was awarded his doctorate at De Montfort University in 2000. During his time there, Rupert was employed as a Lecturer and held the position of project manager for the Rapid Manufacturing Consortium. In 2001 he transferred to Loughborough University where he took up a lectureship and is one of the five core academics which make up the world leading Rapid Manufacturing Research Group. Rupert has a high international profile through three particular fields of endeavour. Ultrasonic Consolidation is a novel method for integrating active/passive actuating devices within metal structure without imparting damage, through thermal or force loading, found in current embedding technologies. This area is growing acceptance as a key technology for emerging and future aerospace structures and health monitoring systems for large metallic structures. Rupert has also defined and driven the new research field for the direct application of additive manufacturing processes for the construction industry. Known as Freeform Construction, the research is realising very large scale additive processes which will quite literally ‘print’ whole buildings on site. The research is driven by the search for processes which can perform as a ‘front end’ process for optimised CAD models of large structures which meet the new challenges faced with waste regulation and climate change within the construction industry. On a related field, Rupert heads the highly publicised TERMES project, featured in Sir David Attenborough’s ‘Life in the Undergrowth’ series in November 2005. Rupert’s team of international experts, within the field of entomology, simulation, construction, physiology, as well as commercial sponsors and government organisations, are performing the world’s first full 3D digital scans of these massive termite mounds located in Namibia, South Africa. These structures hold the key to adaptive capabilities within our own homes through highly complex geometries and channels which impart homeostatic capabilities and regulation of internal mound environment to remarkably high tolerances. Having built and shipped the world’s largest slice and scanning machine to Namibia in summer 2005, the team now has a remarkable dataset from which simulation and modelling of homeostatic function is taking place. The geometric rules, which emerge, will then be reproduced, by the freeform construction machines, within the walls of our homes. Research Web Sites Freeform Construction project - http://www.freeformconstruction.co.uk Publications View central admin Publications Database (new window) |
