Research Projects

Postgraduate research topics currently available are listed on the following Research theme(s):

• Innovative Manufacturing
• Bio-Engineering

Research grants

Research specialisms

• Advanced Machining
• Engineering design and optimisation

Research themes and Research centers

• Bio-engineering
• Innovative manufacturing
• Manchester Biomanufacturing Centre

After finishing an apprenticeship as a machine tool mechanic, Robert studied Mechanical Engineering at the University of Paderborn at Soest, Germany, obtaining the degree Diplom Ingenieur (Dipl.-Ing. FH) in 1999. He stayed at the University as a research assistant, working at the Laboratory for Machine Tools on a number of projects covering the areas of machine tool design, analysis and optimisaion, machining process optimisation, as well as environmental benign machining. During this time Robert gained an MSc in Electronic Engineering and Engineering Management from the University of Paderborn/Bolton University in 2001 and a PhD from the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology in 2004.

He then continued as a Research Associate at The University of Manchester, working on various aspects of metal cutting, with a particular interest in drilling technology, preventive tool condition monitoring for drilling, evaluation of carbon-based coatings for the machining of titanium, as well as machine tool design and evaluation.

In 2009, Robert was awarded a 3-year Leverhulme Trust Early Career Fellowship, to conduct research on omni-directional drilling for orthopaedic surgery.

Since April 2013 Robert is a lecturer at the School of MACE.

• Drilling and reaming technology
• Process and tool development for Minimally Invasive Surgery (Keyhole Surgery)
• Diamond-like carbon coatings for cutting tools
• (Preventive) tool and process condition monitoring in drilling
• Environmental benign machining, in particular dry and minimal quantity lubrication drilling
• Design, analysis and evaluation of machine tools
• Metrology