My research work focuses on conducting a
tribological study of 3d printed polymers, specifically on the wear that they
undergo and to how to reduced it. In order to do so, two 3D printed polymer
gears will be put together for a given amount of time under a
certain rotational speed and torque to simulate as close as possible real life
working conditions, and to study which parameters affect such wear the most. I became interested in the research project, thanks to the help of my mentor Dr. Ali
Beheshti, the moment I came up to him with the idea of conducting an independent
research study that would allow me to apply the knowledge that I have acquired
throughout all the years of studying my bachelor’s degree in mechanical
engineering. He suggested me the idea of conducting a tribological study on 3D printing polymers, a field of great innovation in
engineering and a future technology that will be helpful in the future. I
loved the idea, so I decided to jump straight in.
I believe this project to be not only important step in general research, but a key process in my professional and
personal growth for the upcoming years. It will allow me to enter in
the research world, which until this time was in my personal experience unknown
to me. During this project I have conducted many different tasks which were
unfamiliar to me until the opportunity to apply them was offered. I have dealt
on a weekly basis with cases of research through various different topics, in the fields of mechanical engineering, data acquisition, material science
and other disciplines related to my project. I have also dealt with many
aspects of CAD design, coming up with alternative designs that were
involved in the making of the main tool we used to conduct our research, as
well as parts acquisition dealing with budget and physical limitations of the
nature related to the measurements.
All of these used skills have provided me with the
ability to obtain a deeper knowledge in the field of conducting research, but
most importantly it has taught me a great amount of project planning which
involves taking things into account; until this moment I haven’t
previously thought about as well as being able to participate in the in the
schools research system, for which I will be forever grateful.
