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ROTATING MACHINERY RESEARCH GROUP OverviewThe Rotating Machinery Research Group (RMRG) is a recent initiative of the Mechanical Engineering academic staff at Curtin University, aimed at building and fostering closer links with industry. The research group is primarily concerned with the dynamic behaviour and vibration condition monitoring of rotating machinery. The main focus of the group will be applied industrial research with emphasis placed on useful outcomes for industry.The three avenues for collaboration include undergraduate final year student projects, postgraduate student research projects and staff research. The staff of the RMRG are actively involved in supervising the student research projects to ensure their timely completion. The undergraduate projects normally commence over the summer vacation and conclude in mid October each year. Each collaborative research project may require some sponsor funding for student support (particularly postgraduate students), specialist equipment and software, etc.
Research ExpertiseThe rotating machinery research group have considerable expertise in data acquisition systems and signal processing software using LABVIEW and MATLAB. This expertise will prove very useful for developing specialist prototype machine vibration monitoring systems in direct collaboration with industry.
The RMRG staff have engineering and research backgrounds of a practical and applied nature. Rather than being blue sky research, the group is concerned with solving research problems which are relevant to industry.
With access to specialist laboratory based transducers and associated data acquisition systems, the RMRG has the ability to develop specialist machinery test rigs for supporting industrial research problems.
The RMRG has state of the art expertise and many years experience in advanced signal processing of machinery vibration. This expertise can be used in support of prototype diagnostic systems development or in developing techniques for incipient fault detection of a range of machine faults.
A growing area of importance for detecting faults in complex machinery, dynamic models can help with understanding the influence of various mechanical faults on the measured vibration.
All the members of the RMRG have been trained in postgraduate research and understand the significance of conducting industrial based research in a timely and relevant manner. Benefit to ClientAccess to Applied Research CapabilityThe members of the RMRG are keenly interested in developing research programmes which are useful for industry. Cross Fertilisation from University to Industry The RMRG forms a basis for the specialist liason between university and industry. Access to National and International Research Programmes Members of the research group are well interconnected with national and international colleagues at the forefront of rotating machinery vibration research. This knowledge and expertise will be of direct benefit to industry. Access to Student Research Projects One of the many avenues for collaboration between industry and university is via student research projects, both undergraduate and postgraduate projects. It is well known that student projects can have significant benefits to industry with minimal costs. State of the Art Library Resources With direct internet connection, the members of the RMRG and their students have direct access to most of the major universities around Australia and the world. Rather than re-invent the wheel, these resources help us keep up to date with expertise elsewhere. Current Research ProjectsSome of the research projects currently active within the research group are
Key PersonnelThe relevant details of the four academic staff involved in the research group are provided below.Dr Rodney Entwistle Ph: (08) 9266 7579 email: rde@vesta.curtin.edu.au BEng (Dist) WAIT, MEngSt(UWA), MIEAUST, CPEng Currently finishing PhD degree from UWA. Research interests include torsional vibration and dynamic modelling of linear and nonlinear systems including dynamic stability. Significant engineering science capability. Rodney's professional engineering background includes 7 years as a consulting engineer with Merz & McLellan & Partners. Dr Ian Howard Ph: (08) 9266 7591 email: howard@vesta.curtin.edu.au BE(Hons) UWA, Ph.D UWA, MIEAUST, CPEng Research interests include machine vibration monitoring and vibration signal processing. Significant vibration analysis capability and international contacts. Ian's research background includes six years as a research scientist with the Department of Defence, 16 months of which was spent in the USA. Mr Laurie Morgan Ph: (08) 9266 7653 email: morganl@vesta.curtin.edu.au BEng(Hons) Curtin, MEngSt UWA, MIEAUST, CPEng Research interests include machine condition monitoring, tribology, FEA and experimental stress measurement. Significant practical engineering design capability. Laurie has over 20 years industrial engineering experience with companies such as WISHAW & ETRS, as well as significant managerial experience. Dr Kian Teh Ph: (08) 9266 7655 email: tehk@vesta.curtin.edu.au BE(Hons) UWA, MEngSc UWA, PhD Melb Research interests include numerical modelling of mechanical components using finite element analysis. Significant engineering science capability. Kian has 14 years of academic & research expertise both in Australia and overseas, including the supervision of postgraduate students. Other Strategic LinksThe members of the RMRG have good personal contacts with all the major university and defence research groups throughout Australia involved in machine condition monitoring. In addition, Dr Howard has good international contacts in the UK and USA with defence, commercial and university researchers active in machine condition monitoring. These links should help ensure that the research group keeps up to date with the latest developments in hardware, software, transducers and analysis techniques for machine condition monitoring.Current Research Links with IndustryThe major link with industry at this stage is via Wishaw Engineering Services. WISHAW is a national organisation with a head office based in Perth. They are widely known for their expertise in condition monitoring of rotating machinery and vibration analysis. With WISHAW as participants in the RMRG with significant industrial experience and capability in vibration condition monitoring, a distinct applied focus for the research group will be ensured.Other links with industry include Western Power (Technical Services Branch) and BP Kwinana, both of which have had significant involvement in the research group over the past few years. Contact DetailsInitial contact with the research group can be made via any of the staff involved, although the two members with the current lead role are listed below.Dr Ian Howard Ph: (08) 9266 7591 FAX: (08) 9266 2681 email: howard@vesta.curtin.edu.au Mr Laurie Morgan Ph: (08) 9266 7653 FAX: (08) 9266 2681 email: morganl@vesta.curtin.edu.au |
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Last modified June 30, 2008
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