School of Engineering and Built Environment

Self-Funded PhD Research Project

School of Engineering and Built Environment

Project Reference Number: SEBE_SELF_CH1

Project Title: Advanced Robotics for manufacturing/ maintenance using vison integration

Self-funded research applications are invited for the following PhD project at Glasgow Caledonian University. Please note that as this project is not funded by a university studentship, the successful candidate will be required to source external funding for the research degree fees and living expenses while studying at the university.

Research Discipline areas

Mechanical Engineering, Electronic Engineering,

Research Theme

Efficient Systems

Research Supervisor Contact

Candidates are encouraged to contact the following researcher for further details on the proposed research project area.

• Dr Colin Harrison, Senior Lecturer,
• Dr Gordon Morison AHoD (Electronics)

Research Project Summary

Background

This research seeks to develop a set of advanced automated techniques for Automated control and programming, by using advanced techniques based on novel algorithms for flexible, reconfigurable manufacturing and service applications. That will obviate the need to provide accurate motion control systems for product specific situations. The fundamental idea is to try to adapt the robot system to be able to deal with the low-moderate levels of disorder commonly found in manufacturing, adapting pre-existing techniques where appropriate to a manufacturing or maintenance context rather than to produce a rigidly organised world for the automated system to manipulate. The work at GCU is supported by Fanuc Robotics who have provided a full scale industrial Robot and Scotrail and has an increasing industrial force.

GCU has developed a novel series of vision algorithms that can be applied to advanced robotics implementations and this work requires integration and further refinement in order to apply it to specidic advanced Robotics contexts. Skills needed include experience of programming C/C++, use of Matlab, PLC programming and ideally experience of Fanuc Robots/ Roboguide or similar and practical ability with automated systems.

The candidate will be expected to supplement their research studies with good quality conference, and journal contributions as well as a possible minimum contribution to academic support. The candidate will require skills in the mechatronics domains including programming, PLCs, hardware/software interfacing, control systems and some mechanical design and layout, but above all the ability to learn, and think independently and to develop new skills.

Aims

This PhD will focus on research and development smart implementation of vision for Robotics in order to seamlessly apply novel algorithms so that the systems can be applied to a variety of automated contexts in both manufacturing/maintenance.

Mode(s) of Study

This project is available as a:

• PhD: 3 years full-time

Institute/Research Groups

Institute of Sustainable Engineering and Technology

APPLICATION DETAILS

Eligibility

Applicants will normally hold a UK honours degree 2:1 (or equivalent); or a Masters degree in a subject relevant to the research project. Equivalent professional qualifications and any appropriate research experience may be considered. A minimum English language level of IELTS score of 6.5 (or equivalent) with no element below 6.0 is required for overseas candidates. Some research disciplines may require higher levels.

Specific requirements of the project: The successful applicant will be have advanced engineering simulation/ computing /engineering skills with practical experience of working with robotics ideally with a minimum of a first degree (2:1 or above), MSc or equivalent.

How to Apply

Candidates are encouraged to contact the research supervisor contact for the project before applying.

Applicants should complete the GCU Research Application Form (available from: ) stating the project titleand reference numberand attaching a research proposal.

The form should be sent with copies of academic qualifications (including IELTS if required), 2 references and any other relevant documentation to: . Applicants shortlisted for a PhD will be contacted for an interview.

Application Deadlines

The PhD programmes commence in 01 October, 01 February or 01 May of each year. The application deadlines for 2015-16 are as follows:

• October 2016 Start - 30 June 2016
• February 2017 Start - 1 December 2016
• May 2017 Start - 1 March 2017

Research Degree Fees

Current fee information: